Wow. Thanks Michael. Nice to hear from you.

Michael wanted to let me know that over the past two weeks, Canadians have witnessed a remarkable series of events on the national stage.

"In difficult economic times," he wrote, "and with a parliamentary crisis at hand," blah blah blah.

Michael went on for a little bit (he used to be professor, and you know how they can ramble) and then he surprised me.

Michael Ignatieff asked me for money.

But the money he asked me for wasn't for the party he leads, it was for his campaign to continue to lead the party he leads.

Which, when you think about it, is kinda funny.

The Liberal party needs to raise a lot of cash if it's going to fight an election soon. If there is an election soon, Michael Ignatieff will be the leader of the Liberal party fighting in that election.

But, Michael Ignatieff says he also needs money to fight a leadership campaign.

If I were a member of the Liberal party (I'm not), I'd be pretty confused about what to do.

And, I should just say here, Michael Ignatieff is not the only political friend I have who's asked me for money. Jack Layton has, Stéphane Dion has, and so, too has Stephen Harper.

That's a lot of friends who want my money.

Wouldn't it be fun to get them all out to Hy's here in Ottawa for a drink at the same time?

Of course, I'd have to buy.

Since they're always asking me for money, I mean.

— James Cudmore