Sponsorship: Is Paul Martin running scared? He refuses to answer the question that might reveal his involvement? Why?

At least one media outlet actually used the dreaded P word in explaining why PM would not answer -- the P as in P****** word.

Paul Martin is trying to divert Canadians' attention from his connections--if any--to the the sponsorship scandal being investigated by the Gomery Inquiry by using scare tactics, about what will happen if Canadians do not keep the country together with the Liberals' proven formula:

* scare tactics: Kyoto climate treaty, childcare and the Atlantic offshore revenue deals -- which, actually, any positive aspects of which a Conservative government could implement, particularly, the Atlantic Accord which was a Conservative initiative. (Look for more on the Atlantic Accord later. Also, see Martin Plays Games With Newfoundland's Future -- "Liberal MPs Deny Consent to Implement Atlantic Accord" Sunday, April 10, 2005; scroll down Jack's Notes for this post.)

* payoffs: to Liberal friends who slush the money to the Liberal Party -- and any change of government might end it -- horrors! What province(s) would be most negatively affected by this? What province(s) would be most positively affected by an end to the Liberal methods of remaining in power?

The Liberal / Jean Chretien / Paul Martin system has worked for years and Canadians must vote for more of it!

Again, start with the Western Standard, small dead animals and Kate MacMillan who pointed to Andrew Coyne, who linked to the Globe and Mail and thence to CTV -- and the video of what Paul Martin refused to answer

Lunch with Claude (Boulay, the president of Groupe Everest) April 13, 2005

Globe and Mail excerpt: PM won't answer

In just one such exchange, Mr. Harper asked whether Mr. Martin had had lunch with a specific person related to sponsorship spending and Mr. Martin responded by accusing the Tory Leader of mistreating health care.

Election themes emerge in rowdy question period CTV.ca News Staff

[. . . . ] Conservative Leader Stephen Harper asked if Martin ever had lunch with Montreal ad executive Claude Boulay, a figure in the sponsorship scandal.

"I will fight the Conservatives tooth and nail and we will protect the Canada Health Act," Martin answered in Parliament on Wednesday.

Harper repeated the question several times, but Martin continually answered with attacks on the Conservatives' "hidden agenda" on health care. [. . . . ]

[When] Conservative MP Diane Ablonczy repeated the question . . . .

CTV News

The Video:

Question Period: Conservative MP Diane Ablonczy asks Martin if he had lunch with Claude Boulay 2:32 -- the VIDEO -- evidence of what some media would like us not to know -- CBC, may I suggest your employees watch it?

Martin on defensive, Harper hits weaknesses CTV.ca News Staff

[. . . . ] Conservative Leader Stephen Harper, speaking shortly after the prime minister, questioned the "moral authority" of the Liberals to govern, picking up on comments made by Martin earlier this week.

Harper also criticized Martin and the Liberals for not doing enough during their time in power, picking up on the reputation that the PM has gotten as a "Mr. Dithers."

"This government has been in office a year and a half.

They have achieved very little," Harper said.

"And I would be confident in saying that I think Canadians could select another government that would actually have an agenda and get on with doing it," Harper said.

He also rejected suggestions that forcing an election in the spring would have a detrimental impact on legislation currently on the books. That includes the budget bill, which has provisions on the Kyoto climate treaty, childcare and the Atlantic offshore revenue deals.

[. . . . ] Liberal MP Pat O'Brien, meanwhile, says he's putting off a decision on whether to leave the party until he completes his work as chairman of the Commons defence committee.