Inside Politics

UPDATED: Prime Minister hiding in plain sight?

by Kady O'Malley Posted: November 23, 2009 8:14 AM Last Updated: November 23, 2009 11:40 AM
The Toronto Star's Susan Delacourt points out what some nitpickery journalist types might cite as a glaring contradiction between the prime minister's weekend musings on the importance of a free and feisty press, and the strictly-for-the-cameras event he plans to hold later today. What struck me more, however, was the timing of this afternoon's photo op, which is scheduled for 2:15 p.m., and takes place in his Langevin office. Pop quiz: What will be happening across the street at that precise moment -- and why would the PM want to avoid it -- and, as a result, ensure that there are a few less camera crews camped out in the Foyer before it gets underway? 

Note to Liberals: No, this doesn't mean that your leader should pretend he's too busy and important to show up in the House if the PM can't be bothered to do so. It already looks like he's doing everything he can to avoid commenting on the biggest political story of the day -- and yes, we can all come up with a pretty good guess as to why that would be the case -- but you can't just dodge the issue forever. 

UPDATE: Susan Delacourt tweets that Ignatieff will indeed be in his seat for Question Period today, although when asked if he'd be scrumming, those ever inscrutable Liberals would only say "maybe".  Meanwhile, also via twitter, CanWest's David Akin reveals the pressing prior prime ministerial engagement that will keep Harper in his office for the duration of QP: He'll be "pos[ing] for pics with the 2010 Men's Field Lacrosse team." Hey, at least he's paying some attention to our other national sport, right? 

Tags: blackberry jungle, but why wouldn't he want to hang out in the House?, the vanishing(s), toronto star