Those shouts of joy you here are from the Liberal campaign office.
The Bush administration issued a sharp, public rebuke Tuesday to Prime Minister Paul Martin for dragging the Canadian-U.S. relationship into the federal election campaign.
Ambassador David Wilkins said Canada risks damaging one of the world's best relationships by focusing on short-term political gain.
"It may be smart election-year politics to thump your chest and criticize your friend and your No. 1 trading partner constantly," Wilkins said in a speech to the Canadian Club at the historic Chateau Laurier Hotel, next door to Parliament Hill.
"But it is a slippery slope, and all of us should hope that it doesn't have a long-term impact on the relationship."
America may be an easy target, said Wilkins, "but the United States should not be on your ballot."
Unfortunately the following point won't get enough play.
...Less than a week after Martin raised hackles in Washington by specifically naming the United States for lacking a global conscience on climate change, Wilkins threw the words back at the prime minister.
He pointed out that America's record is far superior to Canada's on curbing greenhouse gas emissions
"I would respectfully submit to you that when it comes to a 'global conscience,' the United States is walking the walk," said the ambassador.
