20 Nov Tom Flannigan is baffled too

Former top Steven Harper strategist Tom Flannigan tells Jane Taber of the Globe and Mail he’s unimpressed with Conservative character assassination of career diplomat and whistle-blower Richard Colvin. He thinks it’s happening…

“…only because Mr. Harper, “the grand strategist,” has been away travelling in Asia and not focusing on the issue. Meanwhile, his ministers are freelancing as they try to deal with the fall-out on the Afghan mission…

Conservative ministers are being too aggressive, said Mr. Flanagan, a political science professor at the University of Calgary.

“When the top guy is the grand strategist and he’s not there, it really is difficult for people who are not the top guy to take command,” he said. “I have seen this happen before. … It is a factor when something big happens when the Prime Minister is gone.

“Going immediately to attack credibility strikes me as perhaps swinging bit a too hard.” What happens, he wonders, if more witnesses come forward corroborating Mr. Colvin’s testimony and character? It could be dangerous for the ministers.