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Conservative Party’s response to Senate scandal is not good enough

What would 2005 Stephen Harper say about the antics of his government today?

You'll recall that Harper was elected on a platform deeply soaked in rhetoric about transparency and accountability.

On Tuesday morning, that Stephen Harper was no where to be seen.

In an address to his caucus, Harper said that he wasn't happy with the recent Senate scandals and that he would work with his Senate leadership to fast track new expense rules.

[ Related: Stephen Harper addresses his caucus about Senate scandals: 'I’m not happy' ]

And yes, during his 10 minute speech he did use the word 'accountability' 8 times.

But when it came to walking the talk, Harper fell short.

He didn't mention Mike Duffy, Pamela Wallin or Nigel Wright, the three figures — that he handpicked — at the centre of the scandal.

He failed to say anything about the $90,000 gift that his now-former Chief of Staff Wright gave to Duffy. He didn't say whether or not the PMO had a hand in whitewashing the Senate report about Duffy, as reported by CTV's Bob Fife. And, he avoided any discussion of why, just last week, he had defended Wright insisting that he would keep his job.

Is that transparency?

Moreover, to the chagrin of the media in attendance, Harper didn't take any questions.

"Stephen Harper had a golden opportunity to say sorry to Canadians and his caucus for the Senate expenses scandal; to explain what he knew, when; and, to put forward some concrete proposals to restore the public’s faith in Parliament," John Ivison of the National Post wrote.

"In short, his speech to caucus was a chance to be accountable. He blew it."

John Ibbitson of the Globe and Mail accused Harper of stonewalling.

"It wasn’t enough. It wasn’t even the beginning of enough," he wrote.

"He did nothing to help himself or his government. He might even have made things worse. If he was advised that he should cancel his foreign travels and devote himself exclusively to dealing with this mess and putting his government back on track, it’s clear he didn’t take it."

[ Related: Nigel Wright, PM's top aide resigns: Is the government in crisis? ]

It was much of the same during Question Period where the Tory caucus was left to fend for themselves as Harper was on a plane headed for an official visit to Peru.

As usual, the Tories stuck to their talking points.

"This matter has been referred to two independent bodies for review.We look forward to the results of these reviews," Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird said repeatedly adding that the prime minister did not know about the $90,000 money exchange until last week when it was reported by the media.

Interestingly, Baird didn't say which two "independent bodies" were reviewing the matter.

[ Pulse of Canada: Should Mike Duffy quit the Senate? ]

I think Stephen Harper from 2005 would be disappointed at what happened today.

I miss that guy.

(Photo courtesy of the Canadian Press)

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