[Kjesse]

I know Nenshi, and am seriously considering voting for him, and also think he's running a clever campaign. I'm also wondering where all the money is coming from for his signs and direct mailings. Something doesn't feel right that he appears to be out marketing McIver and Higgins, each of whom must have big money behind them.

Nenshi's debate challenge to Higgins was a win-win for him. She'll never do it, that would be giving Nenshi too much credit while someone like Higgins depends upon a vote split between the other outsiders to allow her popularity float her to the top. If she did do it, Nenshi would destroy her. Nenshi's only problem there is he might again look too much like an egghead.

I'm also not impressed with Nenshi's arguments on the airport tunnel, he's cherry picking facts. That's no different from any other candidate but he is trying to show he's more than them and that he considers all the pros and cons. The airport tunnel is not as easy a decision as he makes it out to be.
This leads me to not trust him as much as I typically would.

One of Nenshi's biggest positives is his focus on arts and culture, something missing from most other campaigns. Calgarians typically focus on other things like the balance sheet, and I think its due time we start putting more emphasis on the intangibles because even with councils allegedly full with fiscal conservatives, we spiral into debt and incur heavier tax burdens. At least let us enjoy our debt with a smile.

Connolly's videos are embarassing. He needs to drop out.

Burrows has run a surprisingly active and well disciplined campaign. It won't be enough, but he's earned respect I didn't have for him before. Without the media trashing him in the last election (which might have been deserved) he'd be a real force this time out. Losing to Connolly? WTF?

Hawksworth made a smart move positioning himself as the only candidate against the airport tunnel. He will get votes for that even if he's flip-flopped. But if he robo-calls me one more time I'm going to throw the heaviest payphone I can find through his campaign window. I'm at 4 and counting... (Danielle Smith take note, I've gotten a few from you too lately...)

Higgins is a wildcard. Her policies are anybody's guess. Nobody could know where she truly stands on the issues, yet she has wide support. She's a rare female in a testosterone fueled race (excluding Nenshi, lol) and that will do well for her. If she could show some real knowledge of the issues she could run away with this election. So far I think she's nothing but a talking head and am afraid she might win. I can still be swayed, she hasn't been in this very long.

McIver, go away. You had a chance for 9 years, and have made little positive impact. That was your job interview. Time to give the private sector you love so much your full attention. He's the fiscal conservative who isn't.

Alnoor Kassam, also a wildcard. Entertaining and engaging guy. Without his dark and mysterious past I'd seriously consider him.

Hehr: Forgot to talk about him. He was one of my initial front runners. I've lost his message for some reason. I don't know why he's running anymore or what he stands for. He's getting lost in the crowd. He needs a spark.