Garth Turner On CTV

I just finished watching Craig Oliver's panel segment on CTV. Garth Turner was on and made a couple of interesting points:

- in spite of the NDP and Liberal rhetoric, this is not an ethics issue it is a democratic process issue.

- he continues to support the CPC and it's leader

- he was elected as a Conservative and remains a Conservative

- we wants to remain in caucus as long as they will have him

So much for the all the hoo-haa about Garth quitting the CPC or being booted from caucus.

With regards to the first point I agree with Garth (although he has been a publicity hound on this). There is not a whiff of a breach of ethics. Harper has never advocated restrictions on crossing the floor and Emerson did not seek the position.

There is every indication that the entire appointment is about salvaging the softwood deal that the Liberals sat on in order to make bashing the US part of their election platform. That said, it wouldn't surprise me if Emerson retires from politics once the deal is signed. I just wish the impact on softwood was a bigger part of the story.

But right now I can't decide what's more fun - watching Liberals try to explain why this time it's different or watching Oliver and Taber trying to nail the Tories without hitting the Liberals at the same time.