The Obama Effect -- Political Attack Ads Backfiring for Canada's Conservative Prime Minister

The warm glow of Obama positivism is even being felt up in Canada. The current Conservative government of Prime Minister Stephen Harper has unleashed venomous attack ads challenging the patriotism of his opponent, Michael Ignatieff, a Canadian who was a professor for many years at Harvard University. But a new poll shows that while the ads have caused some voters to think less of Ignatieff, an even greater number of voters think less of Harper for running the critical commercials.

The ads are backfiring, which is a new development for Canada. When the Conservatives ran attack ads during the summer of 2007 against Ignatieff's predecessor, Stephane Dion, the ads had the desired effect. Support for Dion's party dropped and Harper managed to cling to power in the October 2008 election... what has changed in the past year and a half that would explain why negative advertising is losing its punch? The answer is the election of President Barack Obama by the young voters of America.

Obama is transforming the American political landscape, and Canadian voters are happily being swept up with his zeal and popular support. In his battle with Hillary Clinton in the primaries and the subsequent campaign against Republican leader John McCain, Obama refused to be negative or divisive. He rejected "old-style" politics. He emphasized that the US is a great country, and that by working collectively Americans could achieve great things. He offered a path to restoring the American sense of pride that had taken such a beating during the George W. Bush years... My research reveals that Canadian young adults feel the same way, only more so. They want to see a strong, competent and open government. They want political leaders to discuss intelligently the real issues facing the country, of which there are plenty. In particular, they want the minority government in Ottawa to operate with the country's best interests at heart, not partisan gain. Canadians are keen students of American politics, and Obama's behaviour since being elected President has reinforced Canada's predisposition to goodwill and civility.

The contrast between the Obama and Harper styles couldn't be starker... Harper is spending millions of dollars to denigrate his opponent and question his commitment to Canada. This tactic runs counter to the evolving Canadian mood, particularly amongst the young, who view such antics as toxic to the welfare of the country. The ads are backfiring, and justly so.