A fight playing itself out in newspapers across Canada provides a good example of how old-style, low-road, old-school politics is clashing head-on with high-road politics.  Newly appointed Conservative Senator and former broadcaster, Mike Duffy, has been in hot water since using inappropriate metaphors and making offensive remarks about two Atlantic Canadian Premiers.  Senator Duffy, in 53 days since being appointed to the Upper Chamber and 35 days since taking the oath of office, has managed to spark three major controversies.  He has provoked an entire month of negative media coverage, angered two provincial premiers, and been called “on the carpet” by his fellow Senators.

Here is the timeline:

Jan 31
Sen. Duffy at a Conservative meeting:

During a recent Conservative party meeting in Winsoe, P.E.I., Mr. Duffy suggested that when two men get in bed, “one of them is going to get the shaft,” adding, “and I can assure you it won’t be Danny Williams.”

(Source: Chronicle Herald, http://thechronicleherald.ca/Canada/1106158.html)

Feb 3rd

Sen. Duffy on Premier Ghiz; from his inaugural speech:

“Honourable senators, I was disappointed to see that our dynamic young Premier in Prince Edward Island, Robert Ghiz, has climbed into bed with the Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, and honourable senators know what a grotesque scene that is. Do honourable senators know what happens when two politicians climb into bed together? One of them comes out on top and I am afraid that when one is in bed with Danny Williams he will come out on top and I would hate to see where that will leave P.E.I. in the end …”

Feb 4th
Premier Ghiz and Williams reactions to Sen. Duffy’s puffer, a ppearing on CTV Premier Williams said:

“Duffy was very much over the top. Duffy is being manipulated and told what to do by the venomous, nasty Harper Conservatives. It’s a terrible statement, quite frankly. I don’t need an apology. Big boy, thick skin.”

And, Premier Ghiz responded to the Charlottetown Gurdian this way:

“Mike Duffy said he wanted to be a senator from Prince Edward Island. I would hope that he would act like one.”

Feb 5th
Sen. Duffy refuses to apologize, but retracts the “metaphor”; CBC reports:

“In a terse announcement in the chamber Thursday afternoon, Duffy withdrew the colour, if not the content, of his remarks.

“If the metaphor I used in my speech on Feb. 3 was offensive to some members of this chamber I withdraw the metaphor.”

With that statement, the speaker of the Senate said he considered the matter settled.”

(Source: CBC PEI http://www.cbc.ca/canada/prince-edward-island/story/2009/02/05/pe-duffy-williams.html )

Feb 7th
Prime Minister Harper suggests Sen. Mike Duffy’s comments are “perhaps inappropriate” (source: Chronicle Herald)

Feb 8th
Sen. Duffy uses the Conservative convention in Nova Scotia to launch another verbal tirade renewing his attack against the Premier of PEI; the Canadian Press reports:

In the next breath, the former journalist took a swipe at Ghiz by conjuring up the memory of his dead father, a former Island premier.

“Joe Ghiz knew what he was doing. Joe Ghiz was a very smart guy and I’m afraid Robert, well anyway, I’ll just leave it at that,” he said to laughter. (Source: Canadian Press)

Feb 8th, after the speech
Sen. Duffy’s reaction to the media in Halifax when questioned about the comments:

“How long can you keep this angle going? Why don’t you talk about the budget? Why don’t you talk about the relationship between the provinces and the federal government? Why don’t you talk about things that matter to Canadians rather than try to trap me into saying something stupid so you’ll have another angle,” Mr. Duffy said. “It’s just ridiculous. It’s childish.”

(Source: Chronicle Herald)

Feb 12th
On return from a trade mission to Alberta, PEI Premier Ghiz responds:

“I have no idea where it’s coming from. There was a lot of criticism when Mike Duffy was appointed to the Senate. I think I said it was a good appointment. Perhaps I made a mistake then.” (Source)

I can’t imagine the Prime Minister thought he was taking a risk by appointing one of Canada’s most recognizable political reporters to the Senate. Who better to know how to behave, handle the press and talk to people, right?

When Jim Munson was appointed to the Senate he refused to dedicate his time to political organizing, fundraising or ego maniacal behavior. Instead, choosing to champion a single under-supported: Autism.

Sen. Duffy should take a page from his former CTV and current Senate colleague and refuse to participate in Harper-directed petulant and partisan behavior and re-dedicate his service in the Senate to a cause close to his heart.

Update:

Feb.13
Mike Duffy walks away from reporters who dare ask about his choice of words; long time Island political reporter Wayne Thibodeau writes in the Guardian:

“Duffy refused to take questions from reporters about the rift and walked away from a media scrum when the issue was raised.
Duffy was talking about equalization when a reporter asked him about the rift with the P.E.I. premier.
“Ahh, forget that,” said Duffy, as he raised his hand in disgust and walked away from reporters.
Duffy has also refused to do interviews with CBC-TV and canceled an appearance on EastLink Television since the controversy erupted.”

(Source: Charlottetown Guardian)