Yuletide politicking

>> Many Liberals received cards from Paul Martin and Allan Rock this Christmas. Coincidence?

by PHILIP PREVILLE

Christmas is a time of giving, a time of hope, a time of joy... and a time to score some major political points.

This Christmas, many Liberals received, as they always do, a card from Prime Minister Jean Chrétien. But this year, for a select group of Liberals, something new arrived in the mail: Christmas cards from both health minister Allan Rock and finance minister Paul Martin. Delegates to last year's Liberal policy convention were among the lucky and surprised recipients.

Among Liberals, the Christmas cards are considered an indication of both men's prime ministerial aspirations--despite the fact that Chrétien is not expected to resign before 2000.

One Liberal staffer in Ottawa, who requested anonymity, characterized the Christmas card tactic as a clever one. "It's no secret these men want to lead the party, but they can't appear disloyal to the current leader," said the organizer. "It would be in very poor taste for them to openly court MPs or other supporters right now." A Christmas card, by comparison, is a relatively innocuous means of increasing your profile.

As part of their parliamentary budget, all MPs receive 2,000 Christmas cards, complete with portrait, courtesy of the government's printing press. MPs can order additional cards at a cost of 15 cents each. Rock sent out 3,500 cards; Martin sent 10,000.

While Martin is the acknowledged frontrunner in the yet-to-begin race to succeed Chrétien, Rock appears to be working harder in an effort to gain ground. Martin's signature was printed directly onto his cards, but Rock took the time to sign each of his cards one by one.