Weak sources

All public indications suggest that the battle lines on softwood lumber consist of Canadian producers, provinces and the opposition parties on one side, and the CFLI, the U.S. government and the Cons on the other. But David Emerson has apparently invented a new constituency to support his belief that there's reason to keep pushing the deal on the industry:

"In my corridor conversations everyone is keenly supportive of what the government has done on softwood lumber," Emerson said.

Apparently Emerson missed the efforts Harper has made to make sure that the hallways around his cabinet members are free of anybody who could possibly challenge the Con viewpoint. Which only suggests that the echo chamber seems to be doing its job in suppressing critical thought among Harper's cabinet...but also makes it all the more clear just how quickly the Cons are falling out of touch with Canadians generally (while having no idea that's the case).