Welcome to the 2011 Liberal Leader's Dinner... what? .. Swann said what?

Hello...  hello... hello..

THIS..

Is almost sad.

So.  Let me understand this.  The Alberta Liberals are hosting a "Leader's Dinner" on February 4, 2011, in Lethbridge, and are charging $100.00 per plate to hear their leader speak.

Of course, it is anticipated that today, February 1, 2011, David Swann will formally announce his resignation as leader of the Liberal Party of Alberta.

I have organized dinners in the past, including Premier's Dinners.  And it's a lot of work and a lot of headache - now, one imagines the numbers would be, uh, more modest for a Liberal dinner, but nonetheless, how much respect does your leader have for the grassroots of the party, for the grunts on the ground, when he can't wait a week or two until after the dinner to make his announcement?

I'm almost tempted to buy a ticket, just out of morbid curiosity.