Red Rover, Red Rover, we call ... David over!

On the other hand, maybe Emerson's on to something. Maybe we should just elect MPs to act as free agents, on the basis of their personal attributes and desirability in the political marketplace: "elect me and I'll consider several offers." Instead of known quantities of MPs elected on each of several party slates, there'd be a pool of 308 unattached individuals. Then the parties would set about trying to lure them onside -- like a giant game of Red Rover, or perhaps the NHL draft. They'd offer whatever cabinet posts they had to hand, mindful that whatever was offered to one MP could not be offered to another (as, of course, an MP could accept an offer from only one party at a time). Then the various competing "teams" or "ministries" would see who could command the confidence of the House, and we'd form a government that way. Alas, that is not in fact how we form governments, nor was that the understanding on which Emerson sought the support of the electors of Vancouver-Kingsway. THIS JUST IN: Gurmant Grewal says he has tapes of Emerson deal MEMEWATCH: HockeyDirt.com picks up the hockey metaphor, and runs skates the length of the ice with it:

In a blockbuster trade announcement, Stephen Harper announced today that the defections of Belinda Stronach and Scott Brison to the Liberals were in fact part of a blockbuster trade involving former Industry Minister David Emerson, a functioning Quebec based campaign team and future considerations. Further, it now appears that the trade may be a three or even four way trade involving Bob Rae, a contender for the Liberals and Mario Dumont, who is currently considered the top draft pick for the Tories.

UNOFFICIAL OPPOSITION: BabblingBrooks has all the latest in spluttering indignation from ... supporters of the government. Hey! Liberal bloggers! Yeah, I'm talking to you, progressives! These people are mowing your lawn. You heard me. You're getting called out, here. (Fades into incoherent string of taunts...)