Our methodology / Infoscapelab.ca

Steve Janke first echoes many Conservative voices in the blogosphere pointing to Stephan Dion's lifting of an environmental policy from a David Suzuki penned document in 2006. Journalist blogger and political commentator Andrew Coyne similarly dismisses the controversy arguing that "If Harper had knowingly plagiarized, in Parliament, a highly-publicized speech by a sitting Australian Prime Minister, delivered just 36 hours before, it wouldn't call into question his judgment — it would call into question his sanity….Is it really to be imagined, knowing everything we know about Harper, that he would be so foolish as to think he would not get caught?"

The third most popular post this past week sees Blogging Tory "Christian Conservative" engage in an ongoing debate over the role of religion in the campaign with well known Liberal blogger James Curran. Curran ignited the online debate after a post on his site claimed: "The Alliance Church, to which Harper has belonged for decades, believes Jesus Christ will return to Earth in an apocalypse, won't ordain women, strongly opposes abortion and divorce, condemns homosexuality as the most base of sins and believes those who aren't born-again are "lost."

The fourth most popular post this past week, from "Stageleft", repeats the one-liner: "Via Mike Duffy Live - "The Conservatives haven't released a campaign platform yet because they're still waiting for the Australians to finish it". "Skinny Dipper", in response, posts the comment: "Bingo! Or was that "Dingo?" Apparently there is humour in the blogosphere!

Coming in at number five this week is a lengthy post on "The Shotgun blog" (from The Western Standard). The blog claims that the campaign is effectively over and that Conservatives need to focus on forwarding a "revolutionary" agenda. The blog courageously offers up a seat count prediction: "…I would say that we're looking at a very large majority. I think that two hundred is a realistic figure to be talking about at the moment." The post has jazzed the Conservative base and riled their opponents.