"Talked to a long time friend and veteran of the political wars - he agreed that Harper would make
an "excellent PM, and take the country in a vitally needed new direction" - but the media, plus
advice from some of the fools around him has done him in. He will not "beat" the Liberals. We agreed
that Martin is finished - Party already working on a strategy - apparently what was said to flunkies
in the PMO who are aware of this was, "don't like it, go to the media; just what the government
needs, a public skirmish leading to an all out war, inside the system" - but Martin will be gone. A
Liberal Cabinet Minister to keep an eye on is David Emmerson, Industry. He called for a new overall
strategy by IC bureaucrats several months ago. It was presented with great flourish, and Emmerson
rejected the entire plan - putting several flunkies and bureaucrats on Valium. Liberal Party strategists
see a lot of ability plus business and street smarts in Emmerson, who is from BC, noted for being
tough and blunt. Manley's name came up; Manley has been in a trance for some time. MacLeod"