Hiding behind sweater vests and the RCMP, Harper has made it clear he suffers from cantrelatetoaveragecanadian syndrome. This has been shown time and again by his aversion to questions from media, accountability for his actions and an inability to see the 2×4 in his own eye whilst decrying the sliver in a political opponents among other symptoms.
Rallies are off-limits for any member of the public who just shows up. Nobody gets in unless they have been pre-registered by the local riding association. Even local media are asked to sign up in advance.
Anyone wanting to attend an event featuring Harper has to have his or her name vetted by the RCMP, said a source at Conservative campaign headquarters, who would only talk on background yesterday. He said this rule applies even outside the campaign period, so no one – even a staffer not scheduled to be there – can show up unannounced at a Harper speech and expect to be let in.
The Harper campaign keeps a short leash on national and local media, limiting questions and access to local candidates, sometimes calling on RCMP security to block reporters from doing their jobs.
Sure sounds like open and accountable government to me….or not.
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