Stephen Harper Doesn't Get It

Stephen Harper has provided an entirely predictable response to the more or less predictable report by the Ethics Commissioner’s inquiry into the Harper-Emerson affair:

This was never an ethics issue. Today, the Ethics Commissioner has confirmed that there was not even a basis for an investigation – this comes as no surprise.

The attacks on David Emerson have, since his appointment, been nothing more than a partisan effort to demean his fine record of public service. Prime Minister Stephen Harper, commenting on the release of the Shapiro report into the Harper-Emerson affair

Lets not let the PM shovel us a load of manure. Partisan politics have nothing to do with this issue, and the only people who have demeaned Emerson are in fact David Emerson and Stephen Harper.

Everyone knows that the Harper-Emerson affair is and always has been an issue of ethics. The pair escape censure only because the ethics commissioner lacks the scope in his mandate to do the right thing. That’s right, Harper and Emerson escape on a “technicality”.

Canadians deserve better.

Put simply, Emerson said “vote for me and I will do XYZ”. Then, less than 24 hours after the last ballot was counted, Emerson was in negotiations with Harper’s representative. The net result – Emerson must now say “I know you voted for me but I will NOT do XYZ.”

The people of my riding get it.

Stephen Harper, a smart and crafty man, gets it, but pretends he doesn’t. In effect our Prime Minister thinks that we are all too stupid to figure out what is really going on and that we’ll get on with our lives and forget what he has done.

You’ve made a grievous error Prime Minister, and the people are on to you.