Victoria MP David Anderson may be many things but he isn't a class traitor. The former cabinet minister, federal Liberal princeling and living embodiment of upper-crust Victoria society won't be joining the New Democrats, says a close friend and political ally. Nor will Mr. Anderson accept a patronage appointment that would force a by-election - with one big exception. According to the friend, Mr. Anderson might consider taking over from Michael Kergin as Canada's ambassador to the United States.

The source says Mr. Anderson would also be "just thrilled" if the 2010 Olympic Organizing Committee put him in charge of keeping the bid book's promise to run an environmentally sustainable Winter Games - a commitment the committee is reportedly having a tough time meeting.

Mr. Anderson won the silver medal for rowing during the 1960 Summer Games in Rome. His former aide Pam McDonald, is currently working with the committee. Ms. McDonald also served in the prime minister's office and was one of the officials responsible for organizing the 1997 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Vancouver. She is good friends with Randy Pettipas, who headed up the minister's regional office in Vancouver.