In the world of politics, the internet can be a force for good of for ill – the jury is still out on that. What can be said with some certainty is that the web can lead you to unexpected places.

There was a time, less than a million years ago, when the federal Liberals prided themselves on their ability to get things done.

They might not have been lovable or even very likeable, and most of the time they weren’t. They were not a warm and cuddly outfit. They didn’t take selfies, hug voters, or remove their shirts in public. (Can anyone imagine “Uncle Louis” St. Laurent – his most famous quote: “If we are to preserve civilization, we must first remain civilized” – on a beach showing off his tattoos?)

You will not find them written down anywhere, but there are two rules of political protocol that are customarily observed in this country.

The first could be called the “anti-haunting” rule. When party leaders leave the political stage, willingly or otherwise, they do not hang around in retirement to haunt their successor’s performance. They are expected to go quietly into the good night. They keep their mouth shut and their advice to themselves.

Strategists for each of the federal parties will be watching the next few rounds of opinion polls intently as they assess the magnitude of the “Khadr bump.”

There is a consensus that the Trudeau government’s controversial apology to, and $10.5 million settlement with, Omar Khadr and will drive down public support for the government – possibly enough to drop the Liberals into second place behind the Conservatives.