Globe and Mail's choice of "Leader" was a six week wonder.

The whole notion of newspapers “endorsing” one candidate over another is an archaic absurdity.....for all the reasons that are amply evident in the Globe’s misguided support of Stephen Harper.....or any other candidate for that matter.

People need more facts and far fewer opinions in their newspaper. Unfortunately, facts constitute work, opinions constitute leisure.


Globe editorial board editor on why Harper should resign
The Globe's editorial board editor John Geiger
Globe and Mail Update

December 2, 2008 at 9:00 AM EST

A time of economic uncertainty — in which Canadians' jobs, homes and life savings are all in peril — is no time for political games or experiments, The Globe opines today in its lead — and only — editorial Harper, Dion put politics before national interest

"If the Liberals are truly set, however, on defeating Mr. Harper, and every indication suggests they are, then the responsibility for averting this politically illegitimate coalition shifts to the Prime Minister," The Globe's editorial board writes.

"Mr. Harper is ultimately responsible for this unhappy state of affairs. It is the byproduct of his machinations, and the product of a failure of his leadership.

"The opposition parties, especially with the Liberals busy licking their election wounds, were not out to pick a fight in the new Parliament.

"Mr. Harper gave them one anyway, turning his government's economic update into a partisan document aimed less at strengthening Canada's economic position than at undermining their ability to compete in the next election.

"In so doing, he sent the message that even if he backs down in this instance, he has no interest in making the current Parliament work.

"His conduct since then – epitomized by his blustery and provocative statement last Friday, and his party's disturbing act in eavesdropping on a private NDP conference call this past weekend – has only reinforced for the opposition the necessity of defeating him while it has the opportunity.

"If Mr. Harper wishes to act in the best interests of the country, it may be time for him to consider removing that imperative from the table.

"With a different Conservative leader in place, the coalition could lose some of its lustre – or at least its urgency – for the opposition parties.

"For Mr. Harper, who has built his government's image almost entirely around his own and controls nearly every aspect of its operations, relinquishing power would be a terribly bitter pill to swallow. He is the type who would rather fight than switch.

"That is his prerogative.

"But switching to another Conservative leader may at this point be preferable to a legacy as the man who gave Canada Prime Minister Stéphane Dion."