How to get ‘what’s his name?’ elected

In the early 2000s, Stephen Harper could stand at any one of Canada’s busiest intersections all day long waving a red flag and not a single passerby would recognize him.

You don't have to be famous to become successful in politics. Stephen Harper was unknown before becoming leader of the Canadian Alliance, but connected with a base of supporters by being a 'true conservative,' writes Gerry Nicholls.The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Opinion

BY GERRY NICHOLLS

March 13, 2017

OAKVILLE, ONT.—Back in the early 2000s, I was with a group that commissioned an opinion poll to gauge potential support for a guy who had ambitions to lead a national political party.

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