Harper's attack on Liberal tax plan draws Price is Right comparisons online
Conservative leader used props, sound effects to attack Liberals during campaign stop in Waterloo
In a rather unusual campaign stop at a fruit farm inWaterloo, Ont., Conservative Leader Stephen Harper used props and cash register sound effects to illustrate the impact of "Liberal tax hikes."
Harper introduced the audience toNicole Roppand her familyto providean example ofhow the hikes would impact families like them.
"Under a Liberal government, [the Ropps]would lose $3,360 in annual child care cheques. So let's quite literally put that money on the table."
Roppproceeded to drop currency noteson a table, while the ka-ching of a cash register repeatedlyplayed over speakers. The table was adorned with a large sign labelled "The Cost of Liberal Tax Hikes" and a faux pay stub with red, negative amounts.
This went on for about a minute and five seconds.Harper mainly stood in silence while Ropp dropped the money on table, though he adjusted the bills and made quips every so often.
"Now you know why I really have all the police ringing this," he said, to laughs from the audience.
When Roppfinished putting the bills on the table, Harper talked about the additional cost of families losing income splitting. Roppproceeded to putmore bills on the table to the cash register sounds.
Many thought the Tories were paying a nod to thebeloved gameshow, The Price is Right...
Politics converges with The Price Is Right #elxn2015 @cath_cullen @CBCNews
—@mikecostanzo
@RosieBarton I'm waiting for Bob Barker to tell me to spay and neuter my pets... #ThePriceIsRight
—@ap_lane
The real question is what's in the Showcase Showdown. https://t.co/PulwUia2Ww
—@jordanowens
... while somelikened it to other memorable gameshows.
What's he thinking, that he's on Dragon's Den? #elxn42 https://t.co/lx4o2aNv0q
—@Noble41
Harper playing Lets Make a Deal? Price is Right? https://t.co/sRsnAix7X9
—@louisemullin
Others seemed really irked by the sound of the cash register.
That cash register noise was just annoying. Period. #elxn42
—@BoucherMC
It drew comparisons toanother memorable noise from the campaign.
There were throwback references tothe infamoustiming instrument (what sounded like an egg timer)from the Globe and Mail leaders'debate on the economy from back in September.
@RosieBarton like the debate bell
—@1loriking
@RosieBarton whoever thought that was a good idea? Worst election noise since the Globe and Mail bell.
—@ForrestBarn
Twitter users were quick to comment on Harper's role during the moment.
The campaign stop was taking place at Martin's Family Fruit Farm, just outside of Kitchener-Waterloo, locally referred to as K-W.
@RosieBarton Harper is a game show host today. Cash register sounds and everything!
—@LauraE303B
@pmharper Your prop-comedy game is weak, dawg.
—@Uranowski
And some opted to be more serious, pointing out faults with Harper'sportrayal of the Liberalplan.
This Liberal supporter tweeted a graph of the Liberalchild benefit plan from their "Fairness for the Middle Class" document. The graphs shows the comparisons between the Liberalplan and the Conservative plan.
Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau responded to Harper's attacks on his plan on Monday, calling them "misleading" and "desperate".
@CBCNews sort of seems like #LPC will put more money in my pocket! pic.twitter.com/gy3nXihg9Z
—@jonnywmichel