Stephen Harper seeks to tap into Ford Nation voter base

He can't even bring himself to say their names, but in thelast days of this election campaign,Conservative Leader Stephen Harper is cosyinguptoRob and DougFord,perhaps reluctantly, hopingthe controversial brothers candeliver some crucial Toronto votes.

That the straitlaced, law-and-order Harperwould associate his campaign and himself with the notorious former mayor, a former crack cocaine smoker also known for racist and misogynistic tirades,may speak to the level ofconcern hehas about Monday's outcome.

"It's an indication of his state of mind that he's willing to consider things that, if he were in a stronger position in the polls, he mighthave otherwise shied away from," says RandiRahamim, a principal at theToronto-based communications firmNavigatorLtd.

• Justin Trudeau says Stephen Harper 'should be embarrassed' to campaign with Fords
• Rob Ford's 'screaming fest' with wife revealed in new book
• Ads claiming Trudeau supports brothels target ethnic social conservatives
• VOTE COMPASS |Find out where you stand
• PLEDGE TO VOTE |Ready to commit?
• POLL TRACKER |Follow the latest numbers

Both Fords were present ata Conservative rally in Toronto on Tuesday and are either co-hosting or supporting a Conservativerally in Toronto this Saturday, which Harper is set to attend.

'He is that desperate'

His courting of the Fords seems tosendconflicting messages,however. Harper hastaken astrong anti-drug stance and has repeatedlyslammed Liberal LeaderJustin Trudeau's plan to legalizemarijuana. Yet here is Harperwelcoming the support of such a polarizing figure.

"He is that desperate," said Scott Reid, a political strategist and former senior adviser to Paul Martin."That things are that low, thatfranklyhehastodenigratehimselfinthat way.I can't imagine for one moment that StephenHarper has an ounce of time, or an inch of respect, for either one of the Fords.

"He's sayingto Canadians, 'There'snodepth to which Iwon't descend in the hunt for the single last vote."

The brothers'support comesasRob Ford's former chief of staff MarkTowheyhasreleased a book including graphic details of his former boss's abusive behaviour, includinga"no-holds barred screaming fest"Ford had with his wife.

"Stephen Harper should be embarrassed that he is having to count on the support of Rob Ford for his re-election," Trudeau said at a Quebec rally.

All this could be why Harper, while seeking their help,is also trying to put a little distance between himself and the Ford family.When answering questions about the Fords, Harperhas only referred to them as "those individuals" or "that family" who are longtime Conservative supporters and that he welcomes their support.

"Ifhe actuallyuses the Ford name, there'sa clip that will be onair within 24 hoursin an attack ad," said Toronto-based political strategist Marcel Wieder.

On a practical level,why Harper would seek out the Fords'helpis easy to understand. They have a committed voting base, the so-called Ford Nation, whichcould have a significanteffect on some Toronto races.

'Well-oiled machine'

"For all the baggage the Fords represent, they also representa highly well-oiledmachinethat canget the vote out," Rahamim said.

If Ford Nation can guaranteevoters, then despiteall the trials and tribulations that the Fords have had, they could be an effective resource, Rahamim said.

The parts of Toronto that might beaccessibleto Harper are likelyEtobicokeand parts of Scarborough areas where the Fords can provide access, she said

"So I thinkhe'd be a fool not to tap into that resource."

They're also areas where Doug Ford did well inhis unsuccessful mayoral bid against John Tory.

"At the end of the day [the Conservatives]look at it and say, 'Those are our voters,'notwithstanding the problems Rob has had," said Wieder. "DougFord came within a fewpercentage points of beating John Tory. So [they're thinking]where's the downside if we can keep those voters.

"Crunch the numbers. You know you'regoing to get smoked in Toronto. You want to keep as many seats as you can," he said.

As for those who may be turned off by Harper's association with the Fords, Wieder said they likely wouldn't have voted for Harper anyway.

But Reid disagreed, saying there are risks to this strategy, asHarper could alienate the blue Liberals and red Tories that have thrown their support behind him in the pastbased on hiseconomic policies.

"[The Fords]have theirhands around some voters. How many? Don'tknow. He doesn'tknow. But rightnow he's begging for votes. Right nowtheConservative Party in Ontario, in particularin the GTAand 905, is struggling to stay relevant andthey are pulling out every stop."

Reid said Harper's reluctance to refer to the Fords by name is a mistake, because it displays his discomfort at what he's doing.

"If he was proudofwhat he was doing, he would embrace it with both arms and he would say their names. But he's obviously doingsomething that he finds distasteful, because he doesn't even want to acknowledgetheir presence.

"If you don'twantto acknowledgetheirpresence, don't dip into their pool of voters."