The mood at a meeting of the Parliamentary Press Gallery turned serious today when it was revealed that Prime Minister Stephen Harper learned the two questions that were coming from Canadian journalists WELL BEFORE his news conference with U.S. President Barack Obama last week.
Gallery President Hélène Buzzetti said that the inside scoop was provided to Mr. Harper by his long-time aide, Dimitri Soudas. Most reporters were clearly angry at the revelation, and looked around the room to see whether the rat would come forward to admit his or her sins.
A short while later, however, Reuters correspondent Randall Palmer pointed out that the CBC live blog of the historic event provided details of the negotiations between Canadian journalists on the wording of their two collective questions, and revealed the overall themes to be broached about an hour before the event.
No wonder Mr. Soudas gave the information to Mr. Harper in advance – and that Mr. Obama was jealous that his entourage wasn't as effective.
