A writer by the unfortunate name of Jeet Heer writes at the Guardian blog site that the scandal over leaked comments about NAFTA and the Obama campaign highlights the growing ties between Canadian and American conservatives.
From news accounts, there seems to have been two separate leaks. The initial and less damaging leak came from an off-the-record statement by Ian Brodie, the prime minister’s chief of staff, who sought to reassure reporters that anti-Nafta rhetoric coming from Hillary Clinton’s camp wasn’t serious. Brodie’s account was then amplified and turned into an anti-Obama smear by a false account given in a diplomatic memo, whose origin is still unknown. Bowing to opposition pressure, Harper has promised to investigate both leaks.
One contextual fact might help explain the whole matter: the increasing integration between Canadian and American conservatives, who tend to be as thick as thieves.
The Right wants two things. It wants to keep the Dem nomination process going as long as possible, and it wants Clinton to win.
Olberman said tonight that Clinton is still pushing the original version of the story, which has been debunked several times. She’s getting to be more and more like the wingnuts every second.