Conservative MP James Moore says he’s not making a play for Stephen Harper’s job
If there was any doubt: Conservative MP James Moore says that he isn't launching a campaign for the Conservative Party leadership.
[ Related: Nigel Wright, PM's top aide resigns: Is the government in crisis? ]
Speculation — or perhaps amusement — about Moore doing so started Saturday when the Twittersphere noticed that he had launched a sharp new website separate from his MP website.
Heritage Minister James Moore has set up something uncannily similar to a leadership campaign website. jamesmoore.org/frontpage/ #cdnpoli #CPC
— Luke Savage (@LukewSavage) May 19, 2013
Does Jason Kenney know? @natnewswatch: Interesting... @jamesmoore_orghas launched a new website jamesmoore.org — Andrew Coyne (@acoyne) May 19, 2013
And then on Sunday, a new 'James Moore Leadership Campaign' Facebook page popped-up.
That was the impetus of even more Twitter chatter:
Anyone have any idea why there is a James Moore CPC Leadership Campaign facebook page? #cdnpoli facebook.com/JamesMooreLead…
— Brad Rubinoff (@brubinoff) May 19, 2013
Is James Moore taking a run at the #CPC Leadership? With a scandalous PM, maybe! facebook.com/JamesMooreLead… #cdnpoli #harperpmo — HermanThind (@HermanThind) May 19, 2013
Is Harper about to announce retirement? James Moore's #CPC leadership facebook page started 7 hours ago: facebook.com/JamesMooreLead… #cdnpoli
— Rachel Décoste (@RachelDecoste) May 19, 2013
Eh? RT @supriyadwivedi: So, there's this: James Moore launched his leadership page on FB facebook.com/JamesMooreLead… #cdnpoli #CPC — Martin Patriquin (@MartinPatriquin) May 19, 2013
But alas, the speculation was premature at best.
Moore tweeted that the website was just an update of his old one.
And in an email with Yahoo! Canada News, on Sunday afternoon, Moore confirmed that the Facebook page was a fake.
"Of course it's fake. No idea who's behind it," he said.
"Ignore site."
The conjecture was undoubtedly spurred by the recent Senate scandals and the resignation of Nigel Wright, the prime minister's chief of staff, on Sunday morning.
A handful of Tory MPs have also spoken publicly about their discomfort at the way things have transpired. Some have even mused that Harper could have a problem on his hands when he meets with his caucus on Tuesday.
[ Related: Why Stephen Harper should be held accountable for Senate scandals ]
Moore has long been considered a potential successor to Stephen Harper. He's smart, he's articulate, he speaks French fluently and has a high profile across the country.
And while he is ambitious, he's not going angle for the job, while it's still occupied.
Stephen Harper can relax: The knives aren't out, at least not yet.
(Photo courtesy of the Canadian Press)
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