Andrew McKeever Resigns

The Durham NDP candidate who called an anti-war activist a "fascist bitch" and other derogatory names has called it quits.

Late last night, the NDP issued a statement from Andrew McKeever pulling the plug on his candidacy.

"Because of the repetition of comments I made before becoming a candidate, comments that I have already apologized for and profoundly regret, I can no longer continue as a candidate," McKeever wrote. "This ceaseless repetition is damaging to everyone concerned including those I have hurt ... I cannot allow my candidacy to detract from the important decisions Canadians must make."

Whatever the genesis of this decision (whether initiated by the candidate or the party) it is the right thing to do. Now the last man standing among candidates who bared their hearts on little too thoroughly on-line is Ryan Warawa, Tory hopeful in Vancouver East, with his possible libel and pornographic ramblings. He too should go.

Steve V from the comments:

See, they are ready to govern. The NDP has already mastered the late Friday bad news dump. Very clever Jack.

Tory Candidate Pens XXX Political Masturpeace!

Ryan Warawa's blog is Rawwkin!!! Buckets has all the naughty bits!!

Man this shit is HOT!!!! I'm gonna need 2 cold showers after I'm done with it...in about 3 minutes!!!

Bill Clinton stars with his wanderin' Willy, and he's "lobbying" some of Canada's most pultridudeinous!

Cum read the Conservative filth!!! Klik on teh LynxZZZ!!

More on Ryan Warawa's Troubled Candidacy

One of the neat quotes J-Rad plucked from Conservative Candidate Ryan Warawa's most disturbing blog today was:

I wonder how many Liberal memberships [disgraced provincial Liberal staffer David] Basi offered to buy [Keith] Martin with the Basi Boys’ drug money.

This passage from Canadian Press explains that one:

Ryan Warawa, who's running in Vancouver East, suggests in a 2004 blog post that Esquimalt-Juan de Fuca Liberal Keith Martin had ties to a former B.C. Liberal cabinet aide now on trial for corruption.

Keith Martin's response to this:

Martin had not previously heard of Warawa's blog - nor of him - but said now he considers the comments slanderous and libellous.

...which was my impression too. So: does Stephen Harper allow his candidates to libel the other side? If not, why is Mr. Warawa still a candidate?