Of course, Harper could have said:
“As the leader of a Conservative Party, I naturally had some preference for the Ontario PC’s but I respect the will of the people of Ontario and look forward to continuing to work constructively with Premier McGuinty blah blah blah”

So there was an upfront option that was decided to be not in keeping with the Conservative brand.

Of course he also lied about not analyzing elections, which is a shame because Harper’s analysis of the response of the electorate at the federal level (as evidenced by some early interviews) is fascinating.  

Harper already publicly stated his preference… which was a minor mistake.  I hardly see it as unreasonable that Stephen Harper acknowledge previous statements made by Stephen Harper rather than categorically deny making them.

Yeesh?  I think anyone reading Harper’s views from a decade ago would be fascinated knowing what he is currently thinking, re say the NDP’s future.  However, it wasn’t a criticism of Harper just a lament that we will not get it.  In my continuing theme of DISQUS sucks, I suggest those that want to understand our PM better look up Monty Python’s Argument Clinic.  

These catch 22′s are the inevitable consequence of trying to have it both ways on every issue.

Before the election, he publicly ordered his party not to involve itself. Notwithstanding that he’d publicly mused about how great it would be if Hudak won.

During the election, his staff and key ministers involved themselves directly in the election.

After the election, he tells us he doesn’t get involved in elections.

This is a man speaking out of both sides of his mouth. He’s not ‘damned if he does, damned if he doesn’t’ – he’s damned because he did when he says he doesn’t.

So you’re saying a catch-22 isn’t a predicament?

Indeed.  How silly of me to forget that.  

Harper could say “lovely day today” and Wherry would post a link to an old speech where Harper says: “I don’t talk about the weather.”  Of course, this would be red meat for the blog commenters:  Another lie!  A shameful contradiction!

These are not the remarks you are looking for.

  He didn’t intentionally involve himself.  Ironically, it was the Liberal war room that kept flogging the video.  

My face is cracking from laughing.He didn’t intentionally? Who was that at the barbecue?Who buried the video?

You’re dangling another cat toy.

@2Jenn:disqus I’m referring to the provincial Liberal war room.  Check out Kinsella’s website if you don’t believe me about the video being posted ad nauseam.

Yeah, because Harper would deny having any preferred outcome with the NHL?  Get real, or at least make sense.

Except it wasn’t. It was:

I hope Hudak wins
We’ve always liked McGuinty.

I can see it’s really important for Emily to think that the Ontario election was a massive, game-changing repudiation of Harper.

“I can see it’s really important for OrsonBean to think that policies and direction don’t make a difference in how people vote.”
Let’s see, Ontarions firmly support Harper in May, nothing much happens over the summer, but by early October “policies and direction” cause the same Ontarions to now repudiate Harper by voting for McGinty.  Makes perfect sense to me.  Can’t wait for the OE1 explanation about how the outpouring of grief over the death of Steve Jobs is further evidence that Canadians are fleeing the evil Harper.

“Harper’s base firmly supported Harper in May. The Ontario election only involved Ontario, not the west and eliminated that factor.”

mmm, yes – Harper got 72 seats in Ontario and 72 seats in Man/Sask/Alberta/BC.  However, you’ve never been one to let facts get in the way of another triumphal proclamation about Harper’s evilness and the growing realization of it by Canadians, so have at ‘er.

“The Ontario election only involved Ontario, not the west and eliminated that factor.”

I keep falling into the trap of assuming your posts derive from rational thought.  When you stated - 

 ”the… (Ontario provincial election that resulted in a Liberal win) …only involved Ontario, not the west …(which, presumably, you regard to be home to the “base” that delivered Harper his majority)…and eliminated that factor …(i.e. Harper’s base, being in the west, couldn’t vote for Hudac)”

 - I thought that pointing out Harper won as many seats IN Ontario as he did in the western provinces combined, meaning his “base” was as much IN Ontario as it was in the west would cause you to revisit your theory.  It did not.  I really should know better.