The Conservative Party's speechwriters have had a rough go of it in the past, what with all of the proven allegations of plagiarism that have plagued the Tory campaign.

So today, we give credit where it's due. Stephen Harper gave a barn-burner of a speech today in Toronto, unveiling the Conservative platform, and rolling out at the same time a bunch of very good, punchy, partisan lines. 

While preaching the need for low taxes, less debt, and controlled and effective spending, Harper tried to convince his audience of 1,000 at a joint meeting of the Empire and Canadian clubs that:

"Noah didn't need to panic or switch boats," because, Harper said, he had a plan. 

The opposition plans?

"They are written for an economic fantasy-land, where debts don't have to be paid back and money grows on trees." 

And in case we didn't get the message: 

"The oppositions' plan is the consequence of complete panic and this government is not going to panic." 

And the piece de resistence: 

"If we don't get re-elected, it'll make Bob Rae's Ontario look like a boomtown." 

The PM was as animated as I've ever seen him. While saying "I'm the first to admit I'm not the most emotionally expressive guy," he did speak in an urgent tone, accusing the opposition of economic policies that would have Canada "jump off a cliff."

The afore-mentioned Bob Rae happened to be at the same hotel where Harper spoke, although he did not hear the speech.  When I told him he earned special recognition in Harper's address, Rae said "I'm shocked.  And deeply flattered." 

"I don't want to get personal," Rae continued, "But this is about a leader's ability to understand people, and if you don't, then you have no right to be prime minister of Canada."

For more on the Conservatives' platform, go here. 

To hear a couple of answers Harper gave at his post-speech press conference, watch the videos below.