If patriotism is the last refuge of a scoundrel, then federal Liberal campaign headquarters must be a den of thieves. Prime Minister Paul Martin's advisors seem to think wrapping him in a Canadian flag will win them the election. And what could be more Canadian then paying homage to the military veterans who fought and died in...er...Norway.

That's why the prime minister will be interrupting his domestic campaign schedule to do even more campaigning abroad, attending ceremonies commemorating D-Day on June 6. It's also why his father-in-law, a Second World War tank commander who was captured in action, will be coming along for the flight. And it explains his visit to Broadmead Lodge, a Victoria veteran care facility, earlier today.

But electioneering in front of a military backdrop is a risky strategy. According to the Royal Canadian Legion, our country continues to have some of the best veteran services in the Commonwealth. But when it comes to taking care of the current crop of military personnel, the federal Liberal government's record isn't spotless.

Two years ago, the Grits increased armed forces pay by four percent for the rank and file and 4.5 percent for officers up to the rank of lieutenant colonel. But under their administration, the military has also became dangerously undermanned and under-equipped. As Conservative leader Stephen Harper pointed out today, the federal Liberal government's decision to cancel a 1992 deal to replace the aging Sikorsky CH-124 Sea King helicopters, which were first purchased back in 1963, has endangered Canadian Armed Forces lives. So, in trying to score political points by surrounding himself with veterans, the prime minister may be opening himself up to charges of hypocrisy.