Do we have a "Deep Throat"?

All over the news is the story of Mark Felt, the deputy director of the FBI, who has revealed himself as Deep Throat, the informant that led to President Richard Nixon's resignation. Ultimately it led Woodward and Bernstein to break the story, and the ultimate release of tapes that incriminated Nixon himself in the break-in at the Democratic Party's HQ.

Now, tapes have surfaced detailing a conversation between Conservative MP, Gurmant Grewel, Liberal MP and Minister of Health, Ujjal Dosanjh, and the Prime Minister's Chief of Staff Tim Murphy.

I'm not going to say that Gurmant Grewel was entirely innocent, because his part isn't exactly clear. I mean, some people would argue that he solicited the offer, but then why tape yourself? That seems silly. Unless, it was a sting?

Anyway.

What is clear is that two officers of the Liberal Party, one a federal cabinet minister and the other the voice of the Prime Minister in bureaucratic dealings, are clearly offering a reward in exchange for Grewel's abstention and rewards for a floor crossing.

Various news agencies are carrying the transcripts in differing forms:

• CBC Online: Grewel Tapes
• Globeandmail.com: Liberals Woo Tory On Tape
• Nationalpost.com: Martin was fully briefed on negotiations to poach Tory MP, transcripts show

I can't get Paul Martin doing an impression of Richard Nixon saying "I am not a crook!" out of my mind.

For debate:

• Did the Prime Minister know about the discussions with the Grewals?
• Is this proper etiquette for two Liberal Party officials? Like Stephen Harper said, when you're in politics, you should always consider yourself on the record.
  
• Tell me again which party has a "hidden agenda"? See previous blog entries and the Gomery Inquiry for help.