John McCain is turning into the Rodney Dangerfield of presidential candidates as we speak. He coming to Canada on Friday, and Canada's ruling Conservative Party--of all people--is giving him the cold shoulder. Just to refresh everyone's minds, this is a government lead by the most pro-republican leader who has ever held office in Canada, at the head of the most pro-republican party in the land.

[quote]Tories dodge McCain's Ottawa visit

It may the most sought-after ticket in Ottawa, but when Republican presidential nominee John McCain addresses a sold-out luncheon on Friday it will be hard to find a Conservative politician in the crowd.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper will be out of town -- rumours suggest his absence is more than just convenient timing -- and he declined to meet with Mr. McCain, sources say. Mr. McCain's advisors had hoped for a formal meeting with the Prime Minister or someone from government, but were told there would be no meeting during his Ottawa visit.

The Prime Minister's Office, concerned about the optics, also advised staff working for MPs to avoid the speech. Tickets for Mr. McCain's speech sold out in an hour but, among the 380 guests, the federal Conservatives will be limited to those with official reasons to attend.[/quote]

And they're ducking. Is it because of his breath? Are they scared the eau de loseur will rub off and stain their clothing? Afraid of pissing off Obama a second time? (After the prime minister's fixer turned out to be the source of one of the NAFTA leaks, that is.) All of the above?

Something like six weeks ago, in the run up to the ohio primary, Jeremiah Wright's sermons hit the press. People were offended; Hillary Clinton was heard observing that if she'd been in the church that day, she'd have walked out and quit the congregation.

Yet by Kentucky, the next state over and barely a month later, Wright's 'offensive' belief--that the game is rigged and they ain't gonna let a black man win it--has become Hillary Clinton's campaign. And no one notices or cares.

Which all goes to show: with Wright, it wasn't what he said, its that a black man said it.

The investication into the sources of the leaks during the 'naftagate' scandal, which slimed Obama just before the Ohio primary appears to have been completed. Press releases and a Reuters story are both claiming that the investigation has 'cleared' Ian Brodie--long-time aide, best buddy, Chief of Staff and political fixer to Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper (a conservative). The same stories are also announcing his resignation, which is laughably claimed to have no relation to the investigation. Right! Of course it doesn't...

It looks like Brodie picked the "fall on your sword, and we won't charge you" option.