Their leader, Stephen Harper, was immediately forced to defend the release --which was sent out to media outlets across the country at 3:30. The party recalled the message a little over an hour later, only to reissue the original release 15 minutes later, only to recall it a second time.

Already, the media are comparing this to the infamous media release from the 2003 Ontario election in which the Tories called Liberal Leader Dalton McGuinty a "reptilian kitten-eater from another planet" --and that's bad news for the Conservatives. The latest Liberal attack ads are trying to make a link between Mr. Harper and the Ontario Tories who were ousted last Fall. The one thing everyone remembers about that campaign is the "kitten eater" fiasco. With this release, and the resulting series of recalls and re-issues, the Conservatives have simply reinforced the impression the Liberals are trying to make.

On the bright side for the Tory war room, Escobar's own goal cost him his life (he was shot twelve times by an irate Columbian soccer fan). Their release may only cost them the election.