I have noticed that PM Harper is more relaxed now after over 3 years as our Prime Minister. He is really starting to hit his stride. He has gotten into a comfort zone and Canadians are noticing his excellent management of our economy at a very difficult time. Foreign leaders respect him and listen to his opinions. His Ministers are performing their duties with dedication and skill.
We can whine that he is not Conservative enough, that he hasn't moved fast enough on things like the gun registry and the Canadian Wheat Board, but we have to remember that this is a minority government.
Positive news coverage is close to none existent for not just PM Harper but his Ministers are well. So, when I see some positive news, I want to share it.
Stephen Harper, wedding crasher
Bruce Monaghan and Dianne Brister celebrated their wedding at the Glenerin Inn in Mississauga this month with 85 of their closest friends and family, plus one surprise guest: Prime Minister Stephen Harper dropped by with congratulations. Melissa Leong talked to the newlyweds about their wedding crasher:
Q. What was Steve, I mean, Mr. Prime Minister like?
Mr. Monaghan: He was very nice, very casual, very friendly, really laid-back.
Ms. Brister: There were probably about 15 or 20 of us. He went around to each person and shook their hands and asked their names and asked how they were related to us. My nephews who are 4 and 6, he stopped and talked to each of them.
Mr. Monaghan: Pretty nice guy, actually, whether you vote for him or not.
He even signed the guest book! This is the side of Stephen Harper that the media doesn't want people to hear about. I would like to see more pictures of him with his family. Laureen Harper is a gorgeous lady who is smart and independent. Why doesn't some enterprising reporter do an article on her? I would love to see them on the front cover of a magazine, I would even buy it. If CBC and CTV are so worried about ratings, maybe they should get out of their Liberal mindset and actually interview Laureen Harper.
Here is another article that gets to the essence of Stephen Harper, the man.
‘Me and Mr. Harper’
Let me be clear: I am a private citizen who does not belong to any political party nor do I harbour any political aspirations, and as such, I would like to share my personal impressions of our prime minister with my fellow citizens.
I have never worked for or with, Mr. Harper and never had the opportunity of a private meeting. However, I have had the good fortune of meeting him publicly five times, most recently on the day Mr. Turner’s scathing article was printed. I think Canadians now have the right to see him from a totally different perspective.
I first met Prime Minister Harper during the 2007 Chanukah celebration on Parliament Hill. It included a Menorah Lighting ceremony in the historic Railway Room and I had the privilege of introducing, amongst others, the prime minister, who had graciously agreed to participate.
The impression my peers and I had (and let me add that nearly all of us had met prime ministers and presidents before) was of an exceptionally affable, friendly and witty leader who went the extra mile to put his constituents at ease. His tone and demeanor were remarkably respectful and congenial, and all were impressed by his understated quiet charisma.
Quiet charisma, that is it exactly! I couldn't put my finger on how I felt about meeting PM Harper, but that is what I felt as well, a quiet charisma! He is very attractive, those blue eyes are very warm, and he is very easy to talk to, but he has a presence that you can not ignore. Quiet charisma describes it perfectly.
PM Harper is a man who is very comfortable with who he is and where he is going. My hope is that more and more people are seeing that as well. We have a true leader for Canada, who puts Canada first. He has reignited our respect for our military and made them a priority, gone are the years of darkness.
I know Conservatives come in many stripes and colours, but when you look at the man who is our Prime Minister, you should be proud! Quiet charisma, not loud arrogance.
