Liberal MSNBC journalist Richard Wolffe on Monday complained of conservative "islamophobia" in Canada. Previewing that day's election results, he said of Prime Minister Stephen Harper: "...Millions of voters are heading to the polls in Canada today where one of the leading contenders is facing accusations of using islamophobia and dog whistle politics."
Wolffe described a Harper policy banning the wearing of the Islamic Niqab (or veil) at citizenship ceremonies. The MSNBC journalist sneered, "...This is dog whistle politics, isn't it?"
To the delight of liberals, Harper and his Conservative Party went on to lose Monday’s election.
On Sunday, Last Week Tonight host John Oliver trashed Harper as an "evil" "Islamophobe."
A partial transcript is below:
MSNBC Live
10/19/15
6:44RICHARD WOLFFE: Still ahead, millions of voters are heading to the polls in Canada today where one of the leading contenders is facing accusations of using islamophobia and dog whistle politics to get ahead.
...
WOLFFE: So my Canadian friends tell me he's their George W. Bush, is that fair?
VASSY KAPELOS (Global National): No. I don't think so. Maybe it depends who you ask. I think in no way is he perhaps as to the right as we perceive George W. Bush to be here in Canada. B ut certainly compared to other leaders we had here.
...
WOLFFE: I want to quote what he said about this veil issue during citizenship ceremonies. This was in a debate last month. He said, “when we join the Canadian family, we should not hide our identity. Never will I say to my daughter that a woman has to cover her face because she's a woman.” Which sounds reasonable, but this is dog whistle politics, isn't it?
KAPELOS: It is. It is very much a wedge issue. Now, interestingly, the conservatives and Mr. Harper's position on the issue on the niqab issue polled very well. There are only two women in Canada who have ever tried to wear a niqab during a citizen oath. So, that’s what kind of makes it this big wedge issue.
