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John Baird thanked his “friend and mentor” Stephen Harper, as he confirmed he is quitting politics in the House of Commons Tuesday.

The prime minister gave him a big hug but probably felt like putting his foreign affairs minister in a headlock.

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This was like Chewbacca telling Han Solo he could fly the Millennium Falcon on his own from now on; like Samwise Gamgee telling Frodo Baggins where to stick his bloody ring.

Where’s the gratitude, Mr. Harper might have asked himself?

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The previous evening, Mr. Baird had been forced to call the Prime Minister and tell him he is leaving, after word of his long-planned exit route leaked to the media.

A friend close to Mr. Baird say he has been planning a second act to his career for years and decided to leave while he is at the top of his game.

“This is just a personal decision for John,” he said.

Mr. Baird probably got a fright when he saw the very modest net worth accumulated by his friend, Jim Flaherty, (less than $1-million in assets), after a lifetime in public service.