As the political fallout from the B.C. Liberals' "Ethnogate" seems to mount by the hour, Premier Christy Clark is becoming a liability to her own party.
At last count, Clark was on her third official apology, a cabinet minister and a senior staffer had both resigned, and her already slim hopes of winning the Liberals another term in office were fading faster than Rich Coleman's hairline.
Clark is really, really, really sorry - that she got caught.
As we've said before, such backroom political chicanery is nothing new. Perhaps the Liberals' brazen approach takes it to new lows, but no party of any stripe is innocent. Their feigned shock and disgust is all just political theatre.
But, just a couple of months away from a provincial election, this tempest in a teapot has taken on unusual importance.
Sensing Clark was already on the ropes, the opposition has been firing just enough shots to keep her reeling.
Which is why Clark should look at the big picture and step aside now for the good of the party - and all right-of-centre voters in British Columbia.
A desperate leader clinging to the last vestiges of power would be an easy mark for the NDP. Not so much: a new leader swept in just in time to clean up the party and save us from a return to NDP tax-and-spend socialism.
That man is Kevin Falcon.
Christy, will you do the right thing?
- Managing Editor
Jon Manchester