Godfrey's long $100,000 goodbyeOne thing the editorial highlights is that when Godfrey first announced his intention to retire in November of 2007, he stated that it would be effective July 1st. I didn't know that little fact. I guess Godfrey and the Liberals hadn't counted on Brenda Chamberlain resigning. At least Chamberlain announced her resignation and then promptly left, although it could be argued she was barely there before her resignation.
A July 1 resignation as promised by Godfrey would have forced the Liberal party to pony up even more scarce staff, political workers and resources. But that would have been the Liberal party's problem. Godfrey should have resigned July 1 as promised, if not earlier, and let the electoral chips fall where they might.
As you head to the polls to vote on September 8th, keep Liberal MP John Godfrey's "sacrifice" in mind. By delaying his resignation by one month he ensured himself a $12,500 bonus while helping the cash strapped Liberals focus most of their efforts on the riding in Guelph.
Taking one for the team - Liberal style!
Update: I just noticed that my post from yesterday was selected as the Daily Blogger post at Jack's Newswatch. Thanks Jack! That made my day. (although the wife says I still have to do the dishes tonight - celebrity or not. I get the feeling that my lovely wife doesn't appreciate blogs like other people do.)
Update 2: Visit Jason Cherniak's blog for a view from the Liberal Twilight Zone
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1 comment:
To argue things a different way, it was already known when the date for the current round of by-elections was set that, to include Don Valley West, they could have been called for September 22.
Why would the PM call them earlier, in such a way as to exclude Don Valley West, is an equally valid question. The spin about the Liberals not being able to afford running four simultaneously appears to be have been started by the Conservatives.
Maybe it's right, maybe it's not ... after all by-elections should be a good time to raise money too. But isn't it interesting that the PM was so determined to call them early?
Was this to avoid having the new students in Guelph and Westmount-Ville Marie suddenly be eligible to vote? With a September 8 call, you have to be ordinarily resident in the riding as of August 8 to vote. A later date would have included more students.
Or was it to have them over before the Commons would resume sitting on September 15, so he could decide whether to prorogue the session or not?
This is why the spin the Herald is perpetuating never worked for me. Mind you, Godfrey has given a number of different explanations about why he changed his mind, which also makes me suspicious on that score. I think he just thought he could delay it and still get under the wire for the other calls ... or maybe even delay the other three.
As it stands, the constituents in Don Valley West will be without a full-time M.P. for quite awhile it seems, although whose fault that is will be debated for awhile.
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