Stephen Harper doesn't watch Canadian news

Prime Minister Stephen Harper admitted that he doesn't watch Canadian news while addressing a business function in Toronto on Wednesday. Despite the prime minister having an enthusiasm for Canadian programming, and making cameo appearances on Corner Gas, the Rick Mercer Report and TSN's broadcasts, as well as having a fondness for appearing on American cable news channels such as Fox Noise and CNN. But when it comes his homeland's television news broadcasts, Harper seems to have tuned out.

"I watched the last several elections in the United States very closely. I tend to watch mainly American news because I don't like to watch Canadian news and hear what Allan (Gregg, Harris/Decima) and everybody else is saying about me, so my hobby is to watch politics elsewhere."

Seriously? He doesn't like to hear what people are saying about him? Aren't politicians supposed to have thick skins? So he tunes out the Canadian content to shield himself and happily watches American content? Federal NDP leader Jack Layton quipped just exactly what myself and surely others are thinking:

"Perhaps if he watched Canadian news more often, he would understand the negative impact of his policies on Canadian families. And if he actually likes Fox News better than Canadian news, then Canadians ought to be concerned."

Ditto Bob Rae:

"I'm surprised – if it's true – I'm surprised that it's the case. I find that quite shocking. Because we all have an obligation to know what's going on and to know what other people are reporting and what's taking place. I'm quite astounded that the Prime Minister would be so unaware of the world around him."

Rae would add that he regularly watches the news, even during his roughest periods as Ontario's premier when the previous recession was taking its toll. "I also read the newspaper. Look at the colour of my hair. Of course, I still read it."

Several high profile federal Reform party members, I mean Conservative members, claimed, or more accurately presumed that the Prime Minister does watch Canadian news, including Finance Minister Jim Flaherty, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Peter Kent, and Industry Minister Tony Clement. However an absurd line of defence was provided by Immigration Minister Jason Kenney, when asked if the Prime Minister should watch Canadian news:

"It's up to him. Look, um. I'm glad to hear if the Prime Minister isn't sitting there glued to the TV. It means he's doing his job. That's a good thing."

Is he for real? Does he actually think that Canadians expect the Prime Minister to be glued to the television? Obviously he is an extremely busy person with a very tight schedule and demanding responsibilities, but I don't think it's asking too much if the prime minister did tune into Canadian news from time to time, in order to be informed of what is transpiring in his homeland. The kicker though came from Harper spokesman Dimitri Soudas:

"The Prime Minister doesn't watch himself on the news. That is why he tends to mainly watch American news."

Is he afraid his feelings might get hurt if he listens to some analysis or criticism? You would think that the Prime Minister would want to pay attention to analysis, commentary and criticism from the punditry in order to improve his performance or game.