The gesture received extensive media coverage including in the United States, where Godfrey was featured on the CBS program 60 Minutes.

Following the subsequent 2004 election, Godfrey, among other key Martin allies, was appointed to the Cabinet in the role of Minister of State for Infrastructure and Communities.

On February 3, 2006, CBC Newsworld's Don Newman announced on air that Godfrey was planning a run for the Liberal Party leadership.

Media reaction was positive, but competed with coverage of Ashley MacIsaac, who declared his intention to run to the Halifax Daily News the next day.

[citation needed] In the early stages of the campaign he was recurrently cited as exemplar of intellectualism in the race, being one of three former university professors in the running.

Name-recognition remained a challenge, but Godfrey received plaudits in the Canadian blogosphere[10] for his performance in the first all-candidates meeting at the Liberal Party of Alberta convention on April 8.

[citation needed] Godfrey announced in November 2007 his intention to resign his parliamentary seat on July 1, 2008 and would leave earlier if an election were called before that date.