This is just unreal:

Tories unleash attack ads New round of Liberal-bashing hits airwaves as Martin urges a return to the 'high road'

A six-column hed. For a couple of radio ads. Help me out: did the Globe give anything like this attention to the Liberals' pre-writ ads last year? You remember: "If Stephen Harper becomes PM, you'll have two health care options: Be rich. Or don't get sick." Or my favourite: "If Stephen Harper was Prime Minister last year, Canadian troops would be in Iraq this year." (If Stephen Harper was?) To say nothing of the campaign that followed. Oh, but it gets better:

Asked whether the negativity of the Tory ads might backfire, Conservative deputy leader Peter MacKay said he believes they provide important information about testimony at the Gomery inquiry into the sponsorship scandal.

The script has already been written for how this will play out. Today, Scott Reid will issue a dignified, nay saintly, statement on behalf of the PM. Various unnamed Tories will express their unease. Conservative HQ will stress these are just "rough drafts of rough drafts," that have yet to be approved. Next stop, Belinda: "I would not have run those ads." Get used to it.