I imagine that since Paul Martin was dubbed "Mr. Dithers" by The Economist, it was inevitable that the Liberals would try and hang a nickname on Stephen Harper just to even the score. This is the first time I've seen this one, though.
In an article about the National Citizens Coalition (which as far as I can tell is neither national nor a coalition of citizens, exactly) expressing its dismay at the way Harper seems to be moving to the left, Dithers' communications director Scott Reid is quoted thusly:
"Mr. Nicholls is frustrated that Stephen Harper has turned into Mr. Muzzle because he believes in the extreme policies they're trying to conceal," Scott Reid said."Canadians are frustrated with Mr. Muzzle because they just want to know what it is he is working so hard to keep hidden."
Mr. Muzzle? I don't think it'll catch on. Try harder, Scott.
Mr. Muzzle? Aw, that's cute.
Come to think of it, that's the name of one of my daughter's teddy bears.
I like Mr. Dithers, Moonbatman and the Boy Blunder
I think of him as Stepford Harper, but I guess that's a bit cruel and personal. We need an image of the stiff and artificial, though. The horrifyingly stiff and artificial.
I wonder whether the guys at the Economist ever actually read Blondie. The character Mr Dithers wasn't actually all that dithery in the Martin way; he was usually throwing tantrums. I've heard that PM the PM has a temper, but he doesn't give that impression in public, does he?
From what I've read, including Delacourt's book, Dithers definitely has a temper. But he doesn't let it loose in public.
I like Mr Muzzle for Harper. He is painfully aware of his party's rep. and has even made fun of it in the past. He has said his party should come with the following lable: "May contain nuts."
Just brainstorming:
The Great Pretender
The Demotivator
Barney (Rubble or the purple dino - take your pick)
Great White Hope
The Carboard Fog
Walking Stiff
I like Barney. I'm not sure why yet.
Oh, come one! You guys can do better than that!
What about Smiley The So-Con Wonder-Dog? Or Stevie Sockpuppet?
Here's the problem: unless it's spontaneous, any nickname will crater. That's why this whole exercise is a little lame.
I agree. If Harper ever gets saddled with a nickname like Dithers, it'll just suddenly catch and stick. And in case it wasn't obvious, I thought Scott Reid's attempt here was exactly as you described it: lame. But my attempts at irony don't seem to be working as well lately as they usually do. ;-)
Very true about spontaneity or however you spell it.
Problem is, all that comes to mind re: Harper is
?
A blank. Blankman. Still not good.
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Pogge, perhaps you're suffering from irony deficiency?
*Groans*
This is what comes to mind when I think of Harper. ;)
LOL... I like Mr. Dithers... not the PM, the name. Accurate. I'm sorry, but it's been 9 months, and NOTHING of substance has happened. Hummm... I think he's just trying to buy time till the next election. ;)
And I hadn't heard the Harper nick... guess it didn't stick.
Cute cartoon, Dean. But Bush as the head of the great American right-wing cabal? I dunno - that makes me doubt the authority of the animation team. Now, if it were Cheney.....