All hail the Globe and Mail campaign journal.
Here is my favourite entry so far:
Ommmm . . . never mind
The federal election campaign coughed up its first fur ball Wednesday when the Conservative communications team went lunging into cyberspace.
Tory incumbent Jason Kenney called a news conference in Ottawa to respond to what was billed as a "Liberal attack on multicultural Canadians."
Turns out the offensive material was contained in a "BlackBerry blog" on the Liberal party website, written by Scott Feschuk, a newspaper columnist currently employed as Prime Minister Paul Martin's speechwriter.
Feschuk, tongue planted firmly in cheek, said the campaign had been overrun by former defence minister Paul Hellyer's much-publicized fascination with UFOs — "the number one priority of Canadians who are socially awkward Omni subscribers."
The Conservatives pounced.
Inside the bubble that is Ottawa's parliamentary district, Omni is best known as Toronto's multi-ethnic television station, which broadcasts the daily news in five different languages.
A wounded Mr. Kenney, speaking in the press theatre on Parliament Hill, lamented the shabby treatment accorded Omni viewers.
Just one problem.
Anyone who follows space aliens as closely as federal politics knows Omni as the internationally famous magazine that mixed fact with pre-eminent science fiction writing during a 17-year run that ended in 1998.
Mr. Kenney, apprised of this fact well after the news conference ended, cleared his throat and said he fully accepted the clarification. Feschuk, meanwhile, was back on the BlackBerry, gleefully pointing out Mr. Kenney's mistake.
"In the spirit of interstellar goodwill, I make this offer," Mr. Feschuk wrote. "If Jason apologizes, I'll send him a free subscription to Omni and a tin foil hat."
This is so Canadian-federal-politics-tries-to-enter-the-information-age-perfect I don't know what to say. Plus, Feschuk needed a win after having had his blogging skills dissed on his first day. He's not so bad, but I could go for a little less relentless self-depreciation. What about some more Harper-bashing instead?
Ommmm . . . never mind
The federal election campaign coughed up its first fur ball Wednesday when the Conservative communications team went lunging into cyberspace.
Tory incumbent Jason Kenney called a news conference in Ottawa to respond to what was billed as a "Liberal attack on multicultural Canadians."
Turns out the offensive material was contained in a "BlackBerry blog" on the Liberal party website, written by Scott Feschuk, a newspaper columnist currently employed as Prime Minister Paul Martin's speechwriter.
Feschuk, tongue planted firmly in cheek, said the campaign had been overrun by former defence minister Paul Hellyer's much-publicized fascination with UFOs — "the number one priority of Canadians who are socially awkward Omni subscribers."
The Conservatives pounced.
Inside the bubble that is Ottawa's parliamentary district, Omni is best known as Toronto's multi-ethnic television station, which broadcasts the daily news in five different languages.
A wounded Mr. Kenney, speaking in the press theatre on Parliament Hill, lamented the shabby treatment accorded Omni viewers.
Just one problem.
Anyone who follows space aliens as closely as federal politics knows Omni as the internationally famous magazine that mixed fact with pre-eminent science fiction writing during a 17-year run that ended in 1998.
Mr. Kenney, apprised of this fact well after the news conference ended, cleared his throat and said he fully accepted the clarification. Feschuk, meanwhile, was back on the BlackBerry, gleefully pointing out Mr. Kenney's mistake.
"In the spirit of interstellar goodwill, I make this offer," Mr. Feschuk wrote. "If Jason apologizes, I'll send him a free subscription to Omni and a tin foil hat."
This is so Canadian-federal-politics-tries-to-enter-the-information-age-perfect I don't know what to say. Plus, Feschuk needed a win after having had his blogging skills dissed on his first day. He's not so bad, but I could go for a little less relentless self-depreciation. What about some more Harper-bashing instead?
2 Comments:
Feschuk's Liberal blog is the best of the official election blogs. You're right, it would be nicer to have a bit more substance, but at least he's being humourous when he's not informative.
And don't you love it that poor geeky Jason Kenney was able to embarrass himself so thoroughly? Simply delicious.
The Conservatives couldn't pass up a shot at being the culturally sensitive party for once. Sometimes, when you want something enough, you're a little overzealous about getting it. Poor Kenney. If he's a good sport, he'll take up Feschuk's offer.
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