Campaign Vignette: Harper Chauffeured Across the Street

Following up on the multiple live blogs from this morning's writ drop, let's point out what may be the first image worth pushing to point out Stephen Harper's detachment from the reality of everyday Canadians: rather than walking to Rideau Hall to request the election, Harper was chauffeured across the street within a four-vehicle convoy.

So how can that image work for the opposition parties?

Step one would obviously be to cite this as an example of how far Harper is out of touch with people in general. "While you wonder how to pay for your next tank of gas to get to and from work every day, Stephen Harper loads up two sedans, an SUV and a cargo van to cross the street to quit his job."

Then there are the tangential issues which can be linked in. "Fighting climate change requires every Canadian to do their part in using resources more responsibly. For example, using four vehicles to travel a block is a bad idea."

And then toss in the opportunity for reply lines when Harper goes on the attack. "Why don't you have your chauffeurs drive you across the stage so you can say that to my face?"

Of course, there are many more ways the image and message can be used to help define Harper as the campaign goes forward. But the central point is that the opposition will need to seize on these kinds of moments to help shape how Harper is perceived - and it could hardly have asked for a better start to the campaign.