Harper Shuffles Campaign Team

Changes at the top of the prime minster’s campaign team suggest he’s bracing for a spring election.

This is what is known as getting one’s ducks in a row. Stephen Harper has made former chief of staff Guy Giorno his new national campaign chair, replacing Senator Doug Finley, and giving a clear indication that while Harper maintains he doesn’t want an election any time soon, he’s definitely getting ready for one. He’s also brought Jenni Byrne, the Conservatives’ director of political operations, onboard as campaign manager. Finley ran the 2006 and 2008 campaigns, but is currently undergoing chemotherapy treatment and would not be battle-ready should the Conservative government be defeated over its next budget, scheduled for later this month. Giorno has a reputation as a fierce partisan who loves a good political dogfight.