The Income Trust Scandal: Paul Martin speaks
From the Globe and Mail:
Prime Minister Paul Martin said today Finance Minister Ralph Goodale will not resign because of the RCMP decision Wednesday to launch a criminal investigation into whether advance notice of Ottawa's plans for income trusts leaked from the federal Liberal government.
"He is a person of the greatest integrity, and he will not be stepping down," Mr. Martin said during a campaign photo op this morning.
I guess Goodale goes into the Scott Reid bucket of "keepers" and not the Mike Klander bucket of "losers".
Of course, from a purely partisan point of view, this is great news. The longer Ralph Goodale remains minister, the longer will the Conservatives, the NDP, the Bloc, and the media have a specific identifiable target for discussing the Income Trust Scandal.
You can't underestimate the value of putting a face on a story.
Of course, now we have a Paul Martin soundbite to go along with it, one that will get repeated in an ironic way if and when Ralph Goodale resigns:
"I have full confidence in Ralph Goodale. I believe that an investigation — as does he — will clear the air, including the allegation as to whether or not a leak actually took place."
Is Paul Martin going to go to the mat for Ralph Goodale. My gut says no, but I could be wrong. Clearly, Paul Martin is being supportive right now. But that might have less to do with confidence in Ralph Goodale and more to do with Paul Martin's penchant for dithering. He might be waiting for a poll to help guide his actions.
Still, Paul Martin has staked out a position. If the Income Trust Scandal story goes south for the Liberals, Paul Martin will pay a price if he's forced to change direction. He might come to regret not cauterizing the Goodale gash as soon as it happened.
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Comments
Thank God for the men of integrity who handle the finances and affairs of the nation. Go Paul Go
Posted by: crowbar at December 29, 2005 12:35 PM
Unfortunately, by leaving Goodale out there I think we're swinging at the wrong target.
There are 2 possible sources for this leak. Finance, and PMO.
Ask yourself what you know or think about Goodale. Then ask yourself the same question of Martin and the followers he has in the PMO.
Then ask yourself which is the more likely source of the leak.
Posted by: john g at December 29, 2005 12:50 PM
Just ask yourself how the news got to Paullyanna's personal PRIVATE doctor and his string of PRIVATE medical clinics. Oh, and of course this PRIVATE medical provider just happened to be set up as a Trust Fund that erupted in an avalanche of trading BEFORE the news was announced. Hmmmm, wonder what secrets Paullyanna spilled to his own PRIVATE doctor?
Posted by: Slim at December 29, 2005 01:21 PM
Paul Martin, for some time now, has banked on the fact that Canadians no longer care about integrity.
If he's right, and is re elected, we will be living in a shell of a democracy.
Posted by: Biff at December 29, 2005 02:23 PM
you may be right about Pauly's doctor--heard Christopher Thomas interviewed on Rutherford this morning--he stated that Medisys bought shares on Nov. 22--a day BEFORE the announcement--did the good doctor hypnotize Pauly to get advanced info?
Posted by: George at December 29, 2005 02:34 PM
This is closer to Paulie than it now seems. RG should step down, yes. But my money is on the most powerful arrogant and crooked PMO in our history. Based on his reputation alone, Ralphie is probably clean as a whistle. But from what you know of the PMO and all it's slime, do you think any of them could pass up some quick money for a supporter(s)? Hey, entitlements don't stop at the taxpayers teat. There's tens of thousands of taxpayers and (taxpaying) retirees to screw! They won't need the money, they'd just spend it on.....
Posted by: Jimbo at December 29, 2005 02:39 PM
One certain target would have been for the opposition to hang on if Goodale had resigned, but the fact that he did not resign may even be a better target in the weeks to come.It may be the rope to hang the Liberal Party,and wouldn't that be a gift?
Posted by: John V. at December 29, 2005 02:43 PM
I’ve been wondering what role John McKay played in this situation. He’d made remarks after the announcement that got him into hot water with Goodale. He mentioned that Income Trusts within pensions may be taxed differently, then he got very quiet! I guess we’ll learn more as the RCMP investigation unfolds.
Posted by: ann at December 29, 2005 03:00 PM
Our PM the ex finance minister throwing the current finance minister a life line and not asking him to step down. Now I wonder which of these two guys is holding dirt on the other? Maybe it's a combination of both. 'I won't tell on you if you don't tell on me'.
I'm so looking forward to see how this all plays out. It would be grand to see the leak have come from the PM's office as opposed to the finance office. Maybe we'll get a late Christmas present.
Posted by: Randy at December 29, 2005 04:51 PM
http://tinyurl.com/8eujs
Marting and Goodale take their defensive positions
Posted by: Duke at December 29, 2005 05:05 PM
"The RCMP has said there is no evidence of wrongdoing on Mr. Goodale's behalf, his office or his department," Mr. Martin said
I find it funny that the RCMP can say there's no "evidence of wrongdoing" without having even commenced an investigation into the matter.
Foreshadowing of a coverup?
Posted by: section98 at December 29, 2005 05:12 PM
PMPM on Gagliano prior to Adscam - "In Quebec, Alfonso Gagliano is the one minister everyone listens too.He is my friend.He is someone for whom I have enormous respect and admiration."
http://www.canada.com/national/features/decisioncanada/story.html?id=520ee34e-ccac-4478-8bea-0a672b8a99e2
Fast forward-Ralph Goodale, here we go again.
Posted by: blueright at December 29, 2005 10:04 PM
 
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