emerson lashes out

Angry Emerson seethes at critics
February 08, 2006

A furious David Emerson lashed out at the federal Liberal Party last night after his former riding association demanded that he repay close to $100,000 in campaign costs.

Emerson said his children -- a son, 14, and daughter, 12 -- were bearing the brunt of attacks over his defection to the Conservative Party this week.

"My kids are being treated with hostility in school because of what's being said. My kids are crying because of what's being said at school," Emerson told The Province from Ottawa.

His outburst came after the riding association that helped elect Emerson in Vancouver-Kingsway last month told him it wants him to repay $96,755. ...

"I challenge them publicly with me and my wife present to demonstrate they are not better off as a result of the fundraising activities we have undertaken," Emerson fumed.

"This is one of the things that had bothered me about the Liberal Party. I felt that the Liberal Party of Canada -- in B.C. in particular -- had looked at me as a cash cow to raise money from the business community.

He said Liberal attacks on him since his defection are "a sign of a sickness -- a deep sickness," and that he is "very happy" to be sending out letters of resignation.

"For them to somehow suggest I am shortchanging them -- it's breathtaking in its audacity," he seethed. ...

Other B.C. Liberals are still reeling from Emerson's defection. ...

He slammed Emerson for "political opportunism in probably the best form ever seen; total and blatant political opportunism. It's unfortunate, because I think it gives all politicians a bad name."