Federal political strategists are advising party staffers to pace their leaders as they head into one of the longest election campaigns in modern history.

Speaking to CTV’s Power Play, Conservative strategist Jason Lietaer said that “sometimes less is more” when coordinating a leader’s campaign schedule. “You need a rested leader and if they (Liberals) were smart, they’d make sure he (Trudeau) was well-rested every time he was in front of the camera, rather than squeezing in that extra event,” he said.

Lietaer said that Conservative Leader Stephen Harper will have a strong advantage in the campaigning department, as he has led so many before. But he admitted that Harper will need some down time, as will staff.

“With basically 80 days, you’ve got staff, you’ve got a leader … who could be burned out,” he said. “This one (election) is so far out that you actually have to pace yourself and I think people are going to have to take some days off.”

Liberal strategist Carlene Variyan said that all of the leaders have had time to train and test their limits for the election campaign, knowing the fixed election date of Oct. 19.

“It’s a marathon. It’s not a sprint,” Variyan said of the 78-day campaign.

NDP strategist Shay Purdy acknowledged Leader Tom Mulcair’s “slow start” to the election campaign. He said Mulcair needs to find his daily flow that will get him through the months ahead.

“For Jack Layton, who I campaigned with in 2008 and 2011, exercise is what got him through his days,” said Purdy.

Focus on the economy

The Conservatives kicked off the campaign Sunday by unveiling their election bus with the slogan “Proven leadership for a safer Canada stronger economy.” 

Lietaer said the party is confident in its decision to campaign on Harper’s economic agenda, as they have in past elections.

“You don’t have to run against perfection … You’ve just got to beat your opponents. And our bet, and I think the prime minister’s right on this, is that he’s going to beat Mr. Mulcair and Mr. Trudeau in a contest on the economy.”

But the opposition doubts Canadians will buy that.

Purdy says the Conservatives are taking a “bit of a gamble” pushing so hard on the economy, as the playing field between all three federal parties has “levelled.”

And Variyan reminded viewers of the Conservatives’ economy-focused campaigns in 2008 and 2011. She said voters won’t be fooled by the Harper Conservatives’ again, especially with a plummeting Canadian dollar.

“We don’t push a reset button every time there is an election. Canadians have long memories,” said Variyan. “Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me. So this is a third time.”

“I don’t think that message … is actually going to be as successful as it has been in the past.”