Is Harper's Elephant in the Room Jim Sensenbrenner?

Stephen Harper has often referred to his Reform Party as 'Conservative Republicans', which means a comparison to the likes of George Bush, Dick Cheney and Sarah Palin.

But it also refers to a man who has played a significant role in Harper's career, and is still influencing Canadian politics in a big way. Jim Sensenbrenner, Republican Representative from Wisconsin.

Take the NAFTA leak that almost railroaded Obama's leadership campaign. The rumour was passed from the Conservative Party of Canada, allegedly directly from the PMO's office, to Sensenbrenner's son Frank.

When Pierre Poilievre was drafting his bogus 'whistle blowers' act, where did he go for guidance? Right to Jim Sensenbrenner. However, when we look at the things that the guy from Wisconsin stands for, I think little Pierre was looking for more than mentoring on blowing whistles.

This Republican would be like a folk hero to Stephen Harper and his crew.

He played an important role in the ridiculous impeachment proceedings against Bill Clinton over the Monica Lewinsky circus.

He introduced the Patriot Act that removed civil liberties from Americans in the name of the War on Terror.

He authored the Real ID Act, that gave extra scrutiny to drivers license applications of immigrants. Like Flaherty, he buried it in another bill, so that it would be passed without debate. The Conservatives always hide theirs in budgets.

He believes in the criminal prosecution of broadcasters and cable operators who violate decency standards, in order words, no profanity or suggestive content.

He walked out of the debates on the continuation of the Patriot Act, when it was suggested that the U.S. might be involved in Human Rights violations at Guantanamo Bay and in Iraq.

He voted against a bill to provide $50 billion in emergency aid to victims of Hurricane Katrina.

He proposed legislation that would turn 12 million undocumented immigrants into felons.

However, there is another more important link between James Sensenbrenner and Stephen Harper. Both are represented by the prominent Republican pollster, John McLaughlin, who has also handled the PR for the National Citizens Coalition. Was it Sensenbrenner who introduced Harper to McLaughlin? Mclaughlin & Associates take credit for the careers of both men.

Yes. Stephen Harper. Our first Republican Prime Minister.