(Cdn) PM's ticking time bomb - Toronto Star (ongoing BC scandal)

[Screaming Lord Byron]

http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=thestar/Layout/Article_Type1&c=Article&cid=1077535862546&call_pageid=968256290204&col=968350116795

The most unpredictable element of a political scandal is its spillover.

Even if Prime Minister Paul Martin is able to persuade most Canadians that he had nothing to do with the Quebec sponsorship affair, the controversy may remind voters about other matters the Liberals would prefer forgotten.

One such matter is simmering away in British Columbia, sparked by post-Christmas police raids on the homes and offices of key Martin organizers.

Up to now, the raids have been virtually ignored by media east of the Rockies, as of little interest to anyone outside B.C.

In fact, as Liberals here admit privately, the B.C. business is a time bomb for the Prime Minister. Unlike the Quebec sponsorship scandal, it speaks to something for which Martin cannot escape responsibility — the ruthless, and at times dubious, tactics he used to oust Jean Chrétien, take over the Liberal party, and become prime minister.

The B.C. events surfaced publicly on Dec. 28 when RCMP and Victoria police raided the offices of two political aides in the provincial Liberal government.

Police said the raids were connected to a 20-month investigation into drugs and organized crime.

[GainesT1958]

1. I heard the premier of B.C. was a crook...

But what's the deal with Quebec? Didn't catch that one.

If Paul Martin gets in real hot water over this, it's going to be interesting to see how quickly it causes the "new" Tories to "gell", and put foward a leader who'd be formidable opposition in a general election. Or how quickly the Liberal leadership moves behind the scenes to line up a replacement for Martin should the need arise...:eyes:

B-)

[Screaming Lord Byron]

2. Try the CBC website for all the info on the Quebec Sponsorship affair.

http://www.cbc.ca/

[treepig]

4. a crook? does drunk driving still count?

or has mr. bush made it acceptable behavior in a politician?

[gula]

3. A lot of people are uneasy about the tactics used

It will be very important to check out not just the liberal running in one's own riding but to evaluate the candidates overall in order to get a sense of where the party is going.