Regular readers and suffering dinner companions will know that for years my eyes have been scanning the horizon for signs of
Stephen Harper's long promised hockey book. The prime minister does love to tease, promising a work that seems forever on the verge of completion.
Today, some hope. In her regrettably named "Morning Buzz",
Globe and Mail reporter
Jane Taber brings news that "there is a publishing date for the long-talked about and much-anticipated prime ministerial tome one [
sic] hockey history." While the pub date – "next year" – seems awfully vague, we may take cheer in the fact the source is Stephen Harper himself. "He did not say who the publisher is," adds Ms Taber, leaving the reader to speculate as to whether he refused to say or simply wasn't asked.
Now, morning buzz turning to evening hangover, I see that the prime minister's critics are having fun with his writerly habits: "15 minutes every day for eight years". Oh, by all means, go ahead and snicker. Me? I admire the man's determination as much as I do his realistic expectations. Again, Ms. Taber:
He will not make a cent on it, he said.
I dare say, our prime minister understands something of what it is to be a writer in this country.
There's a sentence I never thought I'd write.
Later that day: Postmedia's
Mark Kennedy reports that the prime minister has not yet completed the book.
Take heart, after today he'll be fifteen minutes closer.
