Stronach team facing takeover, memo says - Toronto Star

[Screaming Lord Byron]

http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=thestar/Layout/Article_Type1&c=Article&cid=1076368217184&call_pageid=968332188492&col=968793972154

Magna `personal advisers' are with campaign
Opponents trying to `cause mischief,' manager accuses

OTTAWA—The campaign for the leadership of the Conservative Party of Canada took a nasty turn yesterday with the leak of an anonymous memo describing a takeover of Belinda Stronach's campaign by Magna corporate officials at the request of her father Frank and former prime minister Brian Mulroney.

The Stronach campaign said there is no dissent or change within the campaign team, and her campaign manager John Laschinger blamed Stronach's political opponents for trying to "cause mischief."

But spokespeople for the campaigns of candidates Tony Clement and Stephen Harper flatly denied any knowledge of, or connection to the memo.

The three-and-a-half page document is entitled "Team Stronach: Out of School Tales. Direct from the 5th floor of 2 St. Clair Ave. East."
It says at the behest of Stronach, her father Frank and Mulroney, the "dream team" of political professionals who were responsible for her campaign's "rocky start" have been sidelined.

The document says veteran Tory organizer Laschinger and others have been replaced by a group of "close personal advisers" who remain on the Magna payroll. Among the new advisers are: Keith Stein, a "senior vice-president and officer of Magna International"; Paul Pivato, described as Stronach's "personal speech writer from Magna," now a spokesperson at York University's business school; and Matina Danial, her "private secretary from Magna."

Nothing to see here, folks. Just another corporate takeover of an ailing consortium.
(irony ends)