[Hack&Lube]

I don't think this result is an endorsement of loose-spending fiscal policy, rather the first step in a sea change in this province. In many of the ridings, the PCs won by smaller margins. It was not a total landslide if you get down to the raw numbers.

The WRP was tugging the right strings and saying what people wanted to hear about fiscal conservatism and changing a government that was resting on 40 years of laurels and out of touch with the people.

The problem with the WRP is that there was probably a good backlash of people who were unsure of an unproven party and more afraid of instability and the unknown. Better the devil you know than the devil you don't. Their problems were compounded by having a bunch of inexperienced candidates with social views that shocked many people. I believe that a large majority of Albertans (especially the urban ones) don't really want social conservatism. We want fiscal conservatism and that's it.

I'm personally not a big fan of either candidate in my riding but the PC candidate had a business degree from U of C and a SAIT degree as an electrician. The Wildrose guy has a PH.D from a "Humanitarian Institute" in California and specializes in "spiritual counseling"... I can pretty well guess what the first one is about but the second one, I have no idea so I'm not going to vote that way.

If the Wildrose want to win next time, and really want to show they have what it takes to run government - try running more candidates that people would have an easier time having faith in being able to actually move on the important things for Alberta's fiscal policy and economy.