On Thursday a report out of Atlantic Canada placed the blame for diminishing Conservative Party fortunes squarely on the shoulders of Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Danny Williams' ABC campaign (Anything But Conservatives). Still, area Conservative campaign co-chair Leo Power expressed optimism that incumbent Fabian Manning (Avalon) would retain his seat.

Maybe not. Events might just claim that seat too.

Today we learn Mr. Manning, who in January 2007 had been identified along with among other provincial MHAs as receiving secret and controversial bonus payments, failed to refund the monies to government treasuries. (Repaying secret bonus 'slipped my mind,' N.L. MP Manning says, CBC)

Manning repaid the monies only yesterday.

His excuse for the twenty-one month delay? He forgot.

Manning does admit he was driven-pun intended-to take care of this issue by the knowledge of a soon to be published newspaper article which would call into question certain expense claims he made while still a member of the provincial House of Assembly.

The Telegram was investigating Manning's travel expense claims while serving as a MHA. The report informs us Manning drove 36,200 kilometers during a six month period in 2003, and it appears he claimed some miles before actually putting his foot on the gas pedal.

Manning has an excuse for this, too. Whether Newfoundland and Labradorians believe it will be discovered on October 14.