On branding

Greg rightly slams both the Libs and Cons for their transparent efforts to paper over weak spots by associating themselves with words which couldn't be a less accurate description of their underlying philosophies.

While the Cons and Libs go over the top with pretense, however, I wonder whether the NDP should be looking to expand on its brand from the past election as well - albeit with much more plausible language than Anne McLellan and Rona Ambrose are using for themselves. The "getting results" message from the 2006 has laid the groundwork for the NDP to be seen as far more than just a protest vote, but that leads naturally into the question of what kind of results the NDP will be looking for in the future.

So, up for discussion: what should be the NDP's next step in looking to expand the scope of its brand? A "responsible government" message, with frequent references to the fiscal success of NDP provincial governments? A "good for business" message focusing on how the NDP's policies can boost the economy? A "strong role in the world" message to counter the Harper/Ignatieff axis of machismo?

In any event, it seems clear that the NDP needs to go on the offensive to help shape its own reputation as well as keeping the Cons' and Libs' feet to the fire. And while it may take more work for the NDP to do that without the media attention that the Libs and Cons receive, it'll be worth the effort if it takes the NDP into the next election with a more positive public perception.