Personally approved ads, Martin says; 'soldier' spot 'wasn't very good'

Canadian Press via Canoe ^ | January 12, 2006 | MICHELLE MACAFEE

[Daralundy]

MARKHAM, Ont. (CP) - Liberal Leader Paul Martin says a controversial television ad accusing Conservative rival Stephen Harper of wanting more armed soldiers in Canadian cities was pulled because he didn't think it was very good.

But Martin, on the defensive for a third straight day about the 30-second spot, continued to stand by the defence policy differences between he and Harper that he said the party was trying to illustrate in the ad.

"The ad was pulled because the ad was pulled, and because there were better ads - that's essentially it," Martin said after pledging $180 million in new funding for advanced research and development initiatives - a subject he joked he has trouble understanding.

Martin has been fielding questions about the ad since it first appeared Monday on the Liberal Party's website with several other new commercials that have been airing this week.

Present and former military personnel have expressed outrage, saying the ad implies the Tories are advocating some form of martial law.

The ad opens with the ominous sound of a military drumbeat and the Conservative leader's blurred face in the background.

As the face comes slowly into focus, a concerned, measured voice speaks behind the words on the screen. "Stephen Harper actually announced he wants to increase military presence in our cities," the voice intones.

"Canadian cities. Soldiers with guns. In our cities. In Canada." And then: "We did not make this up."

The ad was pulled from the Liberal party's English website, but a French version, minus the drums, remained on the party's French website as late as Wednesday afternoon and has also aired on television in Quebec.

None of the so-called "Choose Your Canada" ads were on the French site Thursday.

[wvobiwan]

"Canadian cities. Soldiers with guns. In our cities. In Canada." And then: "We did not make this up."

Correction Issued: "We did in fact make this up."

[Para-Ord.45]

Hmm, Liberals taking a page right out of the liberal playbook,

Pierre 'just watch me' Trudeau marching troops through Canadian streets declaring martial law.

No wonder that ad came naturally to them.

[Warren_Piece]

What is very telling is that they thought that the very sight of a soldier (with a, gasp, GUN) was repugnant. If this is true, I'd say Canadians are beyond hope.

[Gordongekko909]

What is very telling is that they thought that the very sight of a soldier (with a, gasp, GUN) was repugnant. If this is true, I'd say Canadians are beyond hope.

Naah, that's a liberal thing, not a Canadian thing. The conservative party in Canada is doing very well in the polls. They'll have a conservative government soon enough.

[Plutarch]

Wow, someone in the world fearing the Canadian military. That is novel.

[Rembrandt_fan]

If the Canadians keep slashing their already pathetic national defense budget, the total number of Canadian soldiers, with guns, in or out of Canadian cities, will eventually be two, since all armies need at least one General and one private.

[domenad]

Is that ad posted anywhere? Man do I want to see it.

[Murtyo]

It's not novel at all. The Canucks have a great military tradition (notably WWI and WWII)- mostly now it's just a tradition.

[Information Friendly]

"The ad was pulled because the ad was pulled, and because there were better ads - that's essentially it," Martin said ............... - a subject he joked he has trouble understanding.

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Gee, I'm surprised that Martin has admitted to having trouble understanding this subject. This articulate "wannabe prime minister" has been sooooooo succinct in explaining in simplistic terms why the ad was pulled - "because it was pulled". It appears as though Martin believes that he has actually provided a valid answer. Yes, I can see how confused he is!

Maybe the RCMP should be called in to administer a few alcohol and drug tests to determine whether this leader (and I use that term loosely) is fit to lead.

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The ad was pulled from the Liberal party's English website, but a French version, minus the drums, remained on the party's French website as late as Wednesday afternoon and has also aired on television in Quebec.

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Maybe a possible explanation for this "apparent oversight" would be that Martin misplaced the phone number for the Quebec Media, that he really didn't have time to bother recalling those ads, or that he didn't think that anyone in Quebec would actually bother to view or understand those ads.

Lastly, with regard to the liberal theme of these so-called "Choose Your Canada" ads, was that a typo error? Maybe Martin's real intent is "Goose your Canada"!

[conservative in nyc]

Let's see - there was the Harper quote ad for Atlantic Canada, the Mike Harris/Common Sense Revolution ad for Ontario, and the ghetto ad for B.C. I wonder who the despicable "Canadian soldiers" ad was supposed to be geared toward. Hmmm...

The ad was pulled from the Liberal party's English website, but a French version, minus the drums, remained on the party's French website as late as Wednesday afternoon and has also aired on television in Quebec.

Hmmm... Quebeckers.

The ad was pulled because the ad was pulled, and because there were better ads - that's essentially it

Nice explanation. Sort of like saying the Liberals are losing because the Liberals are losing. Or more aptly, Martin's explanation is stupid is because his explanation is stupid.

Martin, whose party polls suggest has fallen well back of the Conservatives, was visibly frustrated Thursday with persistent questions from the media about the ads, which overshadowed the day's policy announcement.

Gee... with great explanations like that, what does Martin expect?