The Knucklehead of the Day award

Today's winner is Canadian politician Joe Volpe. He gets the award for taking campaign contributions from 11 and 14 year olds.

OTTAWA (Reuters) - Some children in Canada are so well-off and so keen on current affairs that they donate thousands of dollars to politicians -- at least, that's what one contender for the leadership of the opposition Liberal Party seems to believe.

Former Immigration Minister Joe Volpe hit the spotlight this week after it emerged that a pair of 11-year-old twins and their 14-year-old brother had each donated C$5,400 ($4,900) to his leadership campaign.

The parents of the children -- who also donated C$5,400 to Volpe's campaign -- are related to the chairman of generic drug maker Apotex Inc. In total, five former and current executives of the firm and 15 of their family members handed over C$108,000.

Thursday, Volpe ordered that five donations from people under 18 be given back.

"All the donations were in complete compliance with the law but the perception was not good and that's why they were returned," said Volpe spokesman Corey Hobbs.

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The news that Volpe had taken money from such young donors made him the target of much mockery.

"Apparently all across the land, teenagers with a few hundred grand to burn are asking themselves: 'Do I buy a new sports car or support a long-shot for the Liberal leadership? Ferrari or Volpe?'" wrote Ottawa Sun columnist Greg Weston.

We all know politicians will sell their soul for campaign contributions. It's when they hide behind technicalities and or get indignant, you find them even more repulsive. Save us the BS Volpe, we know you're selling yourself out. For taking campaign contributions from fake contributors, Joe Volpe is today's knucklehead of the day.

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Cross posted to Bullwinkle Blog