It didn't take long, but the race to replace Jean Chretien as prime minister and leader of the Liberal party is getting nasty.
The Canadian leader's supporters are accusing former finance minister Paul Martin of launching a "political coup."
Say what?
Yes, a coup. Even if it's a bloodless one, it makes for interesting reading, eh?
But that's what Chretien loyalists believe Martin is doing by not saying whether his own supporters should vote for a Liberal leadership convention next February
"If Martin's organizers are organizing against the PM for February, if they are turning out people to vote in favor of a leadership convention, what would you call it?" a Chretien supporter told one reporter with the promise of anonymity.
"If they're going to organize against the PM and try some kind of coup in February, that's not good for Canadians," the supporter added. "I've got to believe that people do not believe in a coup."
Martin has apparently been wandering aimlessly across Canada since he was unceremoniously fired as finance minister, speaking to whoever wants to listen to him.
Those in the Chretien camp are suspicious of Martin's summer gig. So much so they huddled together for what's being called a leadership strategy session Thursday.
Sounds like an organized defense against an unofficial, undeclared campaign to replace an elected prime minister, doesn't it?
"They uncorked the genie," quipped Dan McTeague, a Liberal Member of Parliament from the Toronto area and a self-professed 'Martinite' who shies away from a loaded word like "coup," but blames Chretien's people for what has happened.
"They should hardly find it surprising," he added, "that there are people who actually, after nine years of absolute loyalty by Paul, are now saying it's time to think about a different course."
Speaking of changing course, the federal government vowed this week to stop the controversial practice of paying generous commissions to advertising agencies.
Ottawa has been embarrassed by revelations it paid hundreds of thousands of dollars to Liberal-friendly companies from a $40-million sponsorship program designed to boost the Canadian government's public perception.
Public Works Minister Ralph Goodale promised Wednesday the money will now be distributed by his bureaucrats rather than through advertising firms.
The sponsorship program was initially set up to help promote Canada in Quebec as a way to counter separatists' message.
And finally, a holy mess.
It's unclear whether Prime Minister Chretien will welcome Pope John Paul II when he arrives for World Youth Day celebrations later this month.
Organizers say they've been told Chretien won't be part of the greeting party, but Ottawa has confirmed Deputy Prime Minister John Manley will be there.
Many Canadian Catholics, miffed by the apparent prime ministerial snub, wonder why the Vatican's head of state isn't being met by their head of state.
