Harper, Dion begin campaign heralding 'clear' and 'stark' choice for Oct. 14 vote

Harper said he did not see a reason to go "personal or nasty" in the campaign, but added that he was prepared to take issue with the other parties' policies and cited the Liberal Green Shift carbon tax as a prime target. He said he expects the Liberals will focus on attacking him and the Conservatives because they cannot defend an environmental policy that Harper has dismissed as a "crazy" tax hike in risky economic times.