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February 11, 2004

The Auditor General's report is no doubt a bombshell, not simply for Chapters 3, 4, and 5 which relate to the Sponsorship, Advertising, and Public Opinion Research activities of the government, but also for the expansive reporting on other areas of impropriety.

Because there is such a barrage of media coverage and pontificating from across the country, there is no need to delve into the nitty gritty of the findings.  That being said, many a politico out here in the nation's capital are wondering what kind of impact this report will have on the timing of an election.

In recent months it has become well known that Paul Martin reconvened the House of Commons specifically to pass laws on the redistribution of electoral boundaries and an ethics package, and was then poised to head straight into a campaign.  Now no one is sure if this intelligence is accurate (which, if it were up to George W. Bush, Tony Blair or our Prime Minister, might be grounds for an inquiry).

Depending on how the opposition plays their cards, and what new information emerges in the coming weeks, there is talk amongst the political community that an election call could be delayed to let the heat on the government cool to an acceptable level.

Make no mistake about it - this report has more legs to run with than a millipede.  The degree of Mr. Martin's forthrightness, sincerity and political skill, however, will be the determining factors in whether the government has a big enough boot to squash it.

Comments? jonathan@tdhstrategies.com