Stephen Harper can be forgiven for breathing easier as he enters the summer months of BBQ’ing and picknicking with friendly crowds at Conservative events.  He has just returned from a G8 meeting recognized by other world leaders as a serious voice in shaping the the economic recovery and addressing global warming.  By all reports his emphasis on small steps and measurable, recognizable results was embraced by the other leaders as typically Canadian and a big factor in Canada’s success in avoiding the worst of the recession.   There was considerable appreciation of his focus on carefully planned and attainable results, recognized as having served this country well.  Even the unfriendly Canadian media couldn’t help but recognize the extent to which others listened and approved.

Much of what was agreed upon at the G8 will serve him well at home as the kind of careful, practical non-ideological program that Canadians want.  Fiscal management and deficit reduction, banking and credit reform, global warming policy, and international aid are all issues that he left the summit well-positioned to gain the approval of Canadians.  Eight months ago, such a possibility was unthinkable. Harper had virtually no credibility at home on these issues. Ignatieff was in a perfect position in the New Year to move into a commanding lead that Harper would have no chance of overcoming.  That quite the opposite has happened is clear from recent polls. Instead of racing ahead, Ignatieff has in fact slipped back from a comfortable lead of six or seven points to a virtual tie today. Ignatieff will never have the conditions that he had to earlier to put paid to Harper’s chances.  The stars are aligning in Harper’s favour.  If he manages to stick with his new found program and  avoids the temptation to engage in overly partisan maneuvers he should be able to look forward to a long stay in a refurbished official residence paid for by taxpayers once intent on punishing him severely.