Bernier scandal useful diversion for PM

[CHIMO]

OTTAWA — Buried in Maxime Bernier's viral indiscretions is a gift that keeps on giving to Stephen Harper. The more questions the opposition asks about bikers, briefing notes and bedroom bugs, the fewer answers the Prime Minister needs to construct about a reckless leak from his own office.

It's not surprising that the three parties holding the majority in this minority Parliament won't let the Bernier affair rest. After all, how often does a scandal have it all? As Harper learned on his jet-set European tour, sex, criminals and a mystery woman have the same appeal abroad as at home.

Of course, there's more to Bernier's gaffes than tabloid titillation. He personifies this government's cabinet weakness, its predilection to put partisan politics ahead of public policy and boneheaded stubbornness in defending the indefensible until what's bad becomes worse.

In this capital, those things happen no matter which party is in power. Still, Bernier's parting present to the Prime Minister he wounded is the muting of two questions this government doesn't want to answer: Did Conservatives put Canada's interests in jeopardy to play U.S. politics? And are public servants being sacrificed to protect politicians?

http://www.thestar.com/comment/article/435702