Harper's leadership numbers are about double those of new Liberal Leader Stéphane Dion, according to SES and the Strategic Counsel. But SES's Nik Nanos and the Strategic Counsel's Tim Woolstencroft say that's largely because Dion isn't known.

Looking at the disconnect between Harper's personal numbers and those of his party, it's hard not to conclude that being considered "decisive" and having "the clearest vision of where to lead the country" is a double-edged sword for those voters who dislike the decisions and the vision.

A Globe and Mail editorial Friday described the Conservative ads as "one of the worst examples of (a) smear campaign" and called on the party to "move swiftly" to pull the offending ad, pointing out there "was never a shred of evidence linking Mr. [Ralph Goodale]."