Emerson earns an Olympic DNF

Actually, make that a Did Not Show Up.

Remember the reasons the Conservatives and the turncoat himself gave for David Emerson's crossing the floor to the comfy, fur-lined welcome mat of Stephen Harper's cabinet?

The government needed a voice from Vancouver (the suburbs don't count, sorry James Moore), especially with the 2010 Games coming to Vancouver-Whistler. Emerson would be the government point man on the file, and was named Minister responsible.

It would seem natural then that, as the federal Minister responsible for the games, and as the federal Minister for Vancouver, he'd be there Tuesday when the official Olympic flag was raised at Vancouver City Hall, right? After all, it's a pretty big deal, marking the official beginning of the countdown to 2010. His provincial counterpart found time to make it.

Unfortunately though, David didn't show. Apparently he was in Ottawa and terribly busy in meetings and what not, and wasn't available for media comment (perhaps he got caught in that notorious Ottawa traffic, and the phone in his limo wasn't working?).

He did send a lovely statement though, saying, "that the flag-raising ceremony is a proud Olympic tradition." Just not proud enough, I guess, for him to get on a plane. I'm sure Gen. Hillier could have gassed-up a Challenger for him.

Was David perhaps afraid of confronting his constituents (those he hasn't had arrested) who are peeved at his betrayal by crossing the floor? Or maybe he didn't want to face difficult questions about the additional $55 million 2010 organizers are looking for from the feds, and that Emerson has been hemming and hawing on.

So, let's see. David crossed the floor to be the Vancouver guy and the 2010 guy, but he's too busy to attend major 2010 events in Vancouver. Why else did he cross over? Oh right, to solve softwood lumber. But wait, didn't he recuse himself from the softwood lumber file for being in a conflict of interest relating to his Canfor pension? So much for that one too.

Seems like you have time to run in that by-election you're "sure you'd win" after all David. Or you could just pick up your marbles and go home. The world will keep on turning without you at the cabinet table.

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