Cobalt Kid, Harper has one of the most sophisticated poll gathering systems that probably helps him decide what to think or say in order to inch his way to that majority he covets. He probably was getting informed that he was going to lose against reality with many of his previous decisions/delusions so that is why he keeps singing a different tune, actually many different contradicting tunes all at once in an attempt to insulate him from the failures that he pretends he doesn't own. Afghanistan just being one of them.
In fact perhaps the reason Taliban Harper doesn't resort to attack ads against Taliban Layton is maybe Harper wants to keep Layton around so he'll know what decisions to make in the future. Layton of course wont get credit for coming up with Harper's policies prior to Harper making confidence motions out of all of them. No, Harper doesn't share the spotlight with anyone but Harper.
In fact perhaps the reason Taliban Harper doesn't resort to attack ads against Taliban Layton is maybe Harper wants to keep Layton around so he'll know what decisions to make in the future. Layton of course wont get credit for coming up with Harper's policies prior to Harper making confidence motions out of all of them. No, Harper doesn't share the spotlight with anyone but Harper.