The reviews are in

Susan Riley on how Stephen Harper's political strategy continues to be based on insulting the intelligence of Canadians in general:

Judging by polls, they aren't rebounding from the self-inflicted prorogation crisis as quickly as they have from previous miscalculations. Instead, they seem to be making things worse. Having been caught out in one bit of cynical strategizing -- shutting down Parliament to dodge uncomfortable questions about the treatment of Afghan detainees and to "recalibrate" -- they are trying another.

The latest gambit is a challenge to the other parties to work through scheduled breaks in March and April because "there is so much to do." If there's a lot to do, it is because Harper needlessly extended everyone's Christmas break -- not that he would ever admit that.

Instead, he is back to "treating Parliament like his playhouse" according to early online reaction, back to strategy over substance, revenge over reconciliation.

And, again, he is treating voters like idiots. Everyone can see through this transparent attempt to confound the opposition: only a prime minister who thinks we are stupid, inattentive, or as obsessed by strategy as he is, would have the gall to play this card again.