Sourcing a cross-border smear

Well, here's something interesting, on ABC News in the U.S., no less.

A "source close to the Prime Minister's Office" has told ABC News who leaked some misinformation to CTV News this week about conversations between the Canadian government and Barack Obama's campaign. The alleged leaker? None other than Ian Brodie, chief of staff to Prime Minister Stephen Harper.

Now, Liberal foreign affairs critic Bob Rae sees this as pretty serious. He believes that the Harperites are actually trying to sink Obama's campaign.

"This is Republican International in action. The Harper government is so ideological and so tied to the Republicans that they will use any opportunity to throw a wrench into the Obama campaign," Rae says in an email sent out this afternoon. (Read the full email at the end of this blog post)

But let's also pause and look again at that ABC News item for a second. Someone close to the PMO is outing Ian Brodie as an anonymous leaker. Hope that "source's" job is secure.

And now, let's also look at what this "source close to the Prime Minister's Office" is saying about how all the misinforming happened.

Apparently, Brodie was the victim of some "exaggeration" by Canada's ambassador to the U.S., Michael Wilson. Ah yes, that notorious exaggerator, Michael Wilson, former finance minister in Brian Mulroney's government, one of the straightest, most understated cabinet members in those times. Does this sound a bit familiar? Didn't "sources" in the PMO try to blame the military for misinformation around the issue of Afghan detainees a few weeks ago? Blame that later had to be retracted? And isn't it interesting how "sources" close to this government are quick to turn on old Mulroney Conservatives when the going gets tough?

It would probably be very interesting to hear conversations going on this afternoon inside the PMO and between Ottawa and Washington. Unless we're reading the ABC News item incorrectly, someone "close to the Prime Minister's Office" has managed to smear the PMO chief of staff and Canada's ambassador to the U.S in one fell swoop.

And, to hear Rae tell it, Obama also got splattered in the process. Here's the full text of his email:

Subject: The Harper Conservatives Are Trying to Sink Obama

Canadians are rightly enraged when foreign governments try to create mischief in the course of our political life.

Watching and reading the news over the last two nights, it is fascinating to watch Republican International at work. The Harper farm team is doing their loyal best to bring down Obama. Tom Clark at CTV is fed a story, apparently from "senior sources" that a "senior official" from Senator Obama's campaign let them know that any talk about NAFTA was just for show. He duly reports the story on the news. The story naturally causes a flurry in Ohio, where the primary is close, and where Senator Clinton and Senator Obama are into an intense battle for Democratic voters. Some Canadians might remember that changing the labour and environmental clauses in NAFTA was a big issue for us as well.

Senator Obama's campaign spends the day yesterday denying it, as does the Canadian Embassy. But CTV sticks to the story because "senior sources" in the PMO continue to confirm it. Tom Clark's original story also refers to the possibility of a McCain visit to Canada to reinforce his and Stephen Harper's love affair with free trade.

Leaks like this don't happen by chance, and they don't happen by accident. This is Republican International in action. The Harper government is so ideological and so tied to the Republicans that they will use any opportunity to throw a wrench into the Obama campaign. It isn't pretty and it isn't even smart (if Senator Obama wins he will remember this incident), but it reflects how these guys do business. Throw the ball at your head. Every time.

Comments

[Dean B]

Wow! Canadian wing-nuts meddling with American politics in the most abhorrent way possible! I expect there to be a probe in to this matter before things get out of hand. CTV and the others involved will have some serious explaining to do, not only to us Canadians, but to the Americans.
I wonder if those involve truly understand the impact they can have on the world for deceitfully influencing a foreign election. Unimaginably shameful!

[rosignol]

This is Republican International in action.

Does Rae have even one shred of evidence supporting that, or is he speculating ex ano?

[Sandi]

I remember watching Frank McKenna interviewed recently and he said there wouldn't be much difference if the Democrats win and he said Hillary Clinton would be more understanding of broader issues because she is New York's senator and understands the problems more.

I think this NAFTA thing is being pumped up out of proportion. I heard what Hillary Clinton said (I don't recall hearing exactly what Obama's views are) that she wanted to review the agreements with respect to labour/human rights and the environment and specifically the outsourcing of jobs. Most feel she was talking more about Mexico and China.

[Joe]

Something that seems to be forgotten in all of this is that Harper would only leak this information to benefit his own popularity in Canada. Surely the leak was only intended to make Harper look like he was on top of the NAFTA issue. That the American media picked up on it is an unintended consequence. Thus, there is no reason to believe in a cross-border conspiracy when a simpler explanation suffices.

[Philip Elliott]

Okay, Ottawa, be careful what you do. If indeed you are trying to get Barrack Obama dumped, well, shame!! This ranks right up there with trying to bribe a dying MP. If the current gov't wants to stay in power, it's certainly not doing alot in the ethics department to maintain that. Based on what I've read about this blog, if this does get out, this plus the latest scam on the MP bibery will be enough to force an election.

[Gary]

This is the "new right' in action. Would anyone expect less? Backed up by "God", these guys employ any low life tactic to further grind ethics and morality [which they are sooo fond of] into oblivion just as long as it furthers their free market corporate greed driven agenda. This is the Reagan legacy. Harper and cronies are no different than the Bush/Cheney gang. They are trying to lay low, without tipping their hand, sandbagging. Give them a majority and the whole world will see what Conservatives are really all about.

[Emmanuel Winner]

As an American progressive, I cannot tell you how utterly furious the disgusting, illegitimate behavior of your government has made many of us. Not only was it a leak, but it was a leak involving intentional lies and distortions. Further, it was a betrayal of a trust involving a possible, even probable, future President of the United states - an act of diplomatic disrespect unconscionable in the history of the relationship between our two nations.
Perhaps passports and visas at the border aren't such a bad idea. And perhaps it's time for increased tax on your imports, and on what we sell you. And perhaps it's time to rethink certain border and naval treaties that have made commerce between us so easy.
You think this harsh? Your government betrayed us, what do we owe you now?
My point is, not only is your government's behavior wrong - it is also dangerous.

[Maria]

Our government here in Canada is riddled with corruption. Why on earth would Harper ever want a transparent government next door? We also need a CHANGE!!! I think it's high time that ordinary Canadians joined forces and stopped the corrupt politicians from hood winking us!!!

Moreover, I believe Harper (BACKSTABBER, SNITCH, LIAR) committed such a despicable CRIME to help McCain as well as Mrs. Clinton who also happens to be a Republican in the guise of a Democrat. For those who don't know, here is an important piece of info: Bill lowered the taxes of 400 wealthiest Americans from 30% down to 22% by the end of his administration. Isn't that more in line with Republicans? Bush lowered those taxes even further down to 17% but the point is Clinton started the tax cuts.

As a Canadian, I ask of my American friends to please not take it out on us, ordinary Canadian citizens who are struggling to get by. Please ELECT Obama so that Canadians may also learn that we too have a chance of a better FUTURE, which looks really bleak right now!!!

[DWT]

'As an American progressive, I cannot tell you how utterly furious the disgusting, illegitimate behavior of your government has made many of us. Not only was it a leak, but it was a leak involving intentional lies and distortions. '

Hate to break it to you, but the only lies and distortions were apparently from your presidential wannabe. Obviously you are angry that he got caught trying to garner support. So, if he will allegedly lie to get votes now .................