On a couple of counts, I can understand why the Conservatives and Mr. Harper have been dropping in the polls as Canada’s federal election approaches next week. There is a personal style that is having trouble connecting with the voters and the suspicion of a social agenda further to the right than many Canadians want to go. But on the issue of the economy, the Conservative’s record is pretty solid.

But it is with respect to the economy that the Conservatives have been “taking it on the chin”, especially during the leadership debates. The other party leaders have been ganging up to decry the poor state of Canada’s preparedness as the world slips further into difficult times.

True, Canada’s economic outlook has dimmed as a result of the global slowdown and falling commodity prices. But we are entering this period of reduced prospects in much better shape than most other …