TORONTO - The provincial Liberals are taking their courtship of voters to the Internet, using a new website to paint Premier Dalton McGuinty in a softer, more personal light as the summer election campaign heats up.
The website, launched Thursday, features McGuinty home movies, family photos and videos of casual interviews with him talking about his family, his childhood growing up with nine siblings, and his attempt to stay grounded while holding down the job of premier.
It also includes videos of McGuinty's wife Terri and his brothers talking about everything from his marriage proposal to who made the first move to his work at the family summer camp.
"He took a big part in the raising of our children,'' Terri says in one video, which includes clips from McGuinty home videos and family photos, including several featuring him with long hair.
"I mean from bathing, changing diapers, feeding, he did it all. And ... it was wonderful.''
In another video featuring McGuinty with children and farmers, brother Brendan says, "He's an ordinary guy with a big job.''
Adds Terri: "He's just a regular guy.''
The website, which also features McGuinty talking about election issues like the health premium the Liberals imposed shortly after their election in 2003 and the province's auto industry, is the latest salvo as the summer campaign heats up.
It's intended to allow voters to "get to know Premier Dalton McGuinty on a first-name basis,'' a party statement said.
The Conservatives have already launched their television ads portraying leader John Tory as a personable man of integrity, with testimonials from community and business leaders.
The New Democrats recently launched their own ads, running over the next two weeks during the FIFA U-20 World Cup soccer tournament, to remind voters about the pay increase the Liberals and Tories gave provincial politicians in December.
Both the Conservatives and the NDP immediately suggested alternative names for the new website, saying it is little more than an attempt to divert voters' attention from McGuinty's broken promises.
"They should call the website promisebreaker.ca,'' said Conservative Tim Hudak. "It reminds me of the prisoner begging the parole board that he's seen the light and changed his ways.''
NDP Leader Howard Hampton scoffed at the site, saying he doubts it will win over many voters.
"It should really be named dalton's excuses.ca,'' Hampton said, adding he doesn't need to know whether McGuinty or his wife made the first move.
"Spare me the details.''
Other observers doubted the site will change the minds of many.
David Docherty, dean of arts at Wilfrid Laurier University, said few people are going to spend the summer months surfing the home videos on dalton.ca. While websites can be used effectively to fundraise and reach party faithful, Docherty said they don't tend to attract people who are undecided.
"I don't see it swaying many voters,'' he said. "I don't see this necessarily being the one to put the (campaign) over the top.''