It had been mentioned weeks ago by one columnist that John Reynolds may well be the new Canadian Ambassador to Washington. I would think that this coup probably reinforces Reynold's case for that position, assuming he wants it.

Whether Emerson approached Reynolds or vice versa, I think it's quite likely that the initial impetus came from business and the Gordon Campbell Government. Emerson's defection is in a tradition of coalition politics in BC at both the federal and provincial levels.

Reynolds is joining Lyall Knott. No word whether he will a lobbyist or a strategic consultant. So, no wonder he didn't want to run again.

So, no tour in DC, eh? I am surprised to hear he won't be working in some capacity for the new Tory Govt, ... unless this lobbying gig is considered to be just exactly that.

So much for addressing the democratic defecit you fucken opportunist. Nothing about your move was smart; you degrade public office and the country you live in.

If you work for the government, under Harper's new rules, you can't lobby for 5 years. Reynolds wants to cash in while he can.

So...if the Federal Liberals are getting pissed at the BC Libs becasue they are predominantly Socreds and Conserves who keep tarnishing the Liberal name....

And if they are allowed to use the Liberal name because there is no copyright?

Why aren't there any Federal Liberals who are taking back the name in BC and forming a true Liberal Party for BC? i think there would be more support than one would think, and it would force many to see the true colours fo who the real conservatives vs Liberals are in the BC Liberals.

The move isn't suprising at all. No fun being a backbencher in an opposition party. I was half expecting Belinda to move back across the floor or for Keith Martin to have a sudden change in heart.

As an electorate we have rewarded this type of self-serving behaviour that suggests that political parties and brands are just a means to a personal end.

This move is totally appalling on both Emerson and Harper's part, (ditto to the senate/cabinet appointment). If Emerson wanted to sit as a Con, he should have run as one. But it really does underline the point that the Liberal party is, more than any other, the party of oppurtunitists. Now seconded by the Conservatives.

Though this episode is pretty distasteful, I am actually glad that Harper showed the country what kind of "Men of Principle" he wants to surround himself with (operative word being men). I wonder if all those Cons who basically called Belinda Stronach a whore are up to the task for this one? Oh, I thought not. Total hypocrites.

This is not the same as Stronach, Brison, or Keith Martin.

These guys had an ideological problem with the Conservatives, and felt no longer welcome. They crossed to the Liberals.

What is David Emerson's problem with the Liberal Party? Just the fact that it isn't in power.

Emerson wants to continue on with his policy agenda, and the Tories have given him that opportunity.

Emerson is also talking about how he will help Conservatives "moderate" their policies.

Tell that to Rona Ambrose, who is now Environment Minister!!

Vic Towes, who is Justice Minister!!!

These guys will wipe out the environment and allow bigotry to reighn supreme when it comes to human rights.

David, David, David!!

While you are it tell the same thing to Liberal MPs Gurbax Singh Mali and Tom Wappel who voted against same sex marriage and in particular Tom Wappel is more socially conservative than most in the Conservative caucus. Remember his run for the Liberal leadership in 1990.

Same trough, different pigs.

Emerson ran for the Liberals because he was promised a cabinet seat. (As did dosanjh, who alas, even Harper wouldn't take). Its called a parachute. The great th

Today's a sad day for democracy. But so was yesterday.

(with punchline).. Its called a parachute. The great thing about a parachute is you can fold it up and jump again.

You know, it's sad and at times a bit infuriating to hear that some of these Liberal "strategic voters" who haven't learned a thing from this episode. They still think, or say they think, that it's David Emerson who PERSONALLY cheated them. They cannot accept the fact that it was the Liberal Party's entire pitch line, which Emerson merely repeated, which was a scam. All Emerson has done is to show that the philosophical distance between the Grit and Tory Parties is vanishingly small, and is for the most part the stuff of campaign image makers, purely cosmetic 99% of the time.

But some people see only what they want to see, only the things they feel suit their personal needs and desires, and for many politics has become simply a matter of TV-generation fashion statements, what brand of Party for the self proclaimed urban sophisticates to wear to the party. Alan Gregg had it right years ago when he called them the urban stupid. They're pretty pathetic on a personal basis, but like alcholics, drug addicts, mental patients and criminals and patronage trough denizens they are legal to vote, and they can do a lot of damage.