This is an odd little story -- I suppose some media preparation for the Prime Minister is proper. But why did he hire a liberal? Maybe because the PMO realizes the way the wind is blowing? If so we may see more "kinder, gentler" Stephen Harper (at least when he doesn't realize he's being taped!).
Here's the contract itself:
http://www.ctv.ca/generic/WebSpecials/pdf/McCurry_contract.pdf
PMO paid former Clinton spokesperson $24,000
The Prime Minister's Office spent $24,000 to have a high-powered communications strategist advise the prime minister on U.S. media opportunities during April's Summit of the Americas.
Documents posted on the U.S. Department of Justice website show that the PMO paid Michael McCurry to "develop a media plan" for the summit held in Trinidad and Tobago, five months ago.
The PMO wanted McCurry to provide "communications advice around issues pertaining to the 2009 Summit of the Americas as they relate to the United States in order to effectively articulate the position of the Government of Canada," the documents state.
McCurry's contract also called for him to help the prime minister set up relevant interviews with U.S. print media and TV networks.
He was assisted by Scott Warner, a Virginia-based consultant who helped in outreach "to U.S. news media in furtherance of communications objectives of the Office of the Prime Minister of Canada."
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