And he'll send you to your room without dinner too!

Interesting piece in the Globe today that offers some insight into Steve Harper's Karl Rove, CPC campaign chairman Dough Finley. Apparently he really turned on the charm in a recent trip to New Brunswick.

First, Doug told the local peasants that they'd damm well better have a candidate nominated by March 23, or he's just would appoint one himself. An appointed candidate, the horror! I agree, nomination meetings can be so pesky Doug, good thing you and your supporters have never gotten on pious soapboxes about grassroots democracy and the importance of local nominations...oh wait, never mind. My bad. But why such a hurry Doug, why March 23? After all, you don't want an election any time soon...

On that note, no matter what spin you hear later about who precipitated the election, Doug has already made it clear HE will be picking the election date:

Some local party members also say Mr. Finley said that the election date would be determined by himself and Mr. Harper -- and perhaps chief of staff Ian Brodie. Others say he indicated that he would work collaboratively with the party's national council.

He also had kind words for Conservative minister Greg Thompson, who had previously told locals they had some time to do a proper candidate search to find the best candidate:

Some of the people who attended the meeting say Mr. Finley suggested politicians like Mr. Thompson should stick to cutting ribbons and passing out cheques rather than messing in the business that is usually conducted in the backrooms. One man who heard those remarks said he believes they were made in jest.

Yeah, I'm getting the sense he's a real joker, that Finley. Charming fellow. Just get your talking points from the PMO, Mr. Thompson, and smile like a good boy...

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