PP calls the kettle black

With all the crap that is going on within and around the Federal Con party, I would suggest that the diminutive MP from Nepean Carleton spend a bit more time in self-examination rather than trying to find problems where none exist.

At point is the suggestion from a Liberal lawyer Alf Apps, who is supposedly the next President of the Federal Liberals, that the current funding laws would allow me to donate $1,100 to the federal Liberal Party (the legal limit of donations) and then also donate $1,100 to the leadership campaign of Micky Ignatieff. Since Micky is unopposed, supposedly his campaign costs would be very low, so any balances in his war chest would be given back to the party. This means that, with this loop hold, I could donate $2,200 in 2009.

Let's get a few things straight at the outset. Apps did not suggest that I do this deed, he merely pointed out what I already knew. It is not illegal to do this but it would be a questionable stretching of the rules. I know that. Apps knows that. And so does anyone else with a rudimentary knowledge of political finance.

Which brings us to The Perfect PP. He sees bedbugs where none exist. Rather than asking for any details from Apps, he runs to the nearest CTV microphone to blurt, "The purpose of the law is to prevent donations over $1,100 to any political party, not to allow powerful insiders to flow an extra donation through a leadership campaign into the party. That's what they're doing."

A little birdy told me that PP does not really think that Libs are doing something wrong - he just frosted that he didn't think of it first.

But just to be safe, maybe PP should submit a private members bill to limit donations of any kind, be it leadership campaigns, local association fees, election funding or just plain memberships to a maximum of $1,100 per year.

I bet he hasn't got the gut!