It's the economy, stupid.
Those immortal words uttered by Bill Clinton on a long-ago campaign trail have provided puns for pundits ever since.
Canadian candidates got in on the fun, too, with Conservative leader Stephen Harper saying our finances will be just fine as long as we don't do anything "stupid" - a swipe at the opposition, specifically the Liberals - and NDP boss Jack Layton calling Harper's plan not a smart reaction.
In Calgary Friday, Harper dismissed Liberal head Stephane Dion as an irresponsible leader who's cheering for a recession to make political points against the Tories. He argued that Dion's free-spending proposals would drive the government into deficit.
That didn't sit well with Layton, who criticized Harper's do-nothing approach to the US financial crisis. He claimed ignoring the looming threat in Canada isn't a smart reaction.
The slogans and catchphrases aren't limited to our neighbours down south. Dion grabbed a line that his party has used since the 1930s to characterize the current economy: "Tory times are tough times."
A week of bad economic news culminated Friday with a drop of more than 400 points on the Toronto stock exchange. Losses over the last seven days reached $75 billion, sparking the war of words among the parties.
Meanwhile, on the campaign trail, Harper promised to restrict the export of bitumen outside of Canada. He made those comments in Alberta, and the deputy premier was a little surprised by the promise.
Ron Stevens alleges that the action could affect investment in the oilsands, and infringe on Alberta's jurisdiction over the heavy black oil.
Layton pledged $1 billion per year for a national drug strategy. He also said he would be watching the presidential debate in the US, but not to gather tips. He says his strategy is to tell it like it is.
He's also in hot water with BC Premier Gordon Campbell, who said Layton's pledge to axe the softwood lumber agreement shows "profound ignorance." The NDP says the current deal has "sold out" struggling forestry workers, and he has promised to replace it with a deal that would ensure fair trade.
Dion promised to protect the agricultural marketing boards, also know as supply management systems.
Where Are The Candidates Saturday?
Stephen Harper:
3 pm, speech in Ajax, ON
8pm, high school reunion in Toronto, ON
Stephane Dion
9:45am, speech in Stoney Creek
1pm, Niagara Wine Festival in St Catharines
Jack Layton
11:20am, rally in Vancouver
Gilles Duceppe, Bloc Quebecois
9:30am, takes media questions in Montreal
11:15am, meets supporters in Montreal
12:15, visits Jean-Talon market in Montreal
Elizabeth May, Green party
Her cross-country train tour continues with rallies at each stop.
7:25am, Campbellton, NB
9:03am, Bathurst NB
11:54 am, Moncton NB
3:18pm, Truro, NS
4:56pm, Halifax, NS