Flaherty Shut Out

Big Jim Flaherty has sunk a notch in President Harper's books after the Mike Harris retread failed on a top secret skate to woo former NHL puck stopper Glenn Healy to seek the Republican-Conservative nomination in Ajax Pickering, an Ontario riding held by Liberal MP and rising star Mark Holland.

Healy, a journeyman NHLer backstop who let in pucks for the Kings, Islanders, Rangers and Leafs, was approached by Big Jim to swear allegiance to the President and take a run at Holland. Sources say Healy, a colorless commentator on TSN, reached down and patted Big Jim on the head and said: "Are you nuts. I don't want to take a pay cut." Stay tuned.