Mulroney under scrutiny --again

After a fifth estate report suggesting that Mulroney recieved some $300 000 from Karlheinz Schreiber from an account linked to the airbus affair, Conservative MPs are "not ruling out" reopening the investigation. Although they may want to seem "accountable" following the thrust of their election campaign, it seems rediculous to think that investigating Mulroney's actions is going to reveal new information. Keep in mind that the last time we investigated this $300 000, Mulroney counter-sued (for libel), and recieved a goverment apology and 2 million dollars (and we all discovered that even if the connection exists, there is no reason to believe Mulroney knew about it). Liberals certainly won't let this go, but the Conservatives may have to bite the bullet and ignore the critisism --reinvestigating this issue now will likely end with another apology and settlement.

Harper Cabinet

Harper's cabinet has been named. Fourteen women elected (125 total MPs), 6 women in the cabinet --nearly unchanged ration from Martin's. However, At least some progress is being made, with only 27 members (Martin had 37), Harper is making changes that should improve efficiency. After fumbling the abortion issue however, I would have expected a larger female presence. If he's going to maintain a feminist-friendly image (neccesairly part of his conservative centralization program), he needs to work on his image. There is nothing inherently wrong with his private beliefs motivating his political commitment since he wants to increase the number of free votes and limit the prime minister's power to "force" party solidarity. In fact this allows for MPs to accuratly represent their constituants (and improves the democratic process because Canadians get to have real imput instead of having officials tell them whats good for them). However, this is a bit of a complicated connection to communicate in a thirty-second interview--he needs to learn how to use the quick clips that makes Jack Layton such a good representative for his party. Politics is an eloborate form of marketing, but instead of popcorn and beer, they have to sell their political idealologies. Harper needs some hard "facts" about his party's makeup to throw out to the cameras.