Stephen Harper's recent tour of Southwestern Ontario took him to a Wallaceberg children's rehabilitation centre, where his handlers sat him at a knee-high table to join toddlers as they finger-painted pictures of trees.

With cameras rolling and reporters jostling for the best view of the disconsonant scene, the Conservative leader leaned away from the paint-covered hands of the youngsters and muttered a quick "Don't touch me."

He loosened his tie, looking very much like Rodney Dangerfield under pressure.  Then, for five minutes, he sat there tortured for something meaningful to say to his tiny companions.