Stelmach polls 77% support at Convention

[killer_carlson]

I'm surprised myself, although you have to think that Stelmach supporters were highly motivated to get to the convention this year.

thoughts?

[droopydrew19]

I anticipate many voters looking Wild Rose now

[krazycanuck]

I've never liked Stelmach... dislike him more and more all the time. I have voted for the conservatives every year since I could vote. However if he is the leader come the next provincial election I will be changing my vote.

I really think the province needs a big city thinker. Stelmach is the polar opposite of that.

[Slava]

Mind Boggling really. The big question is whether the average voters are as reluctant to make a change as the PC's are. Clearly his support is cratering and its going to take something enormous to turn this ship around.

[Hemi-Cuda]

has he done anything positive in his time in office? from screwing up the oilsands royalties, to pissing away a massive budget surplus with nothing to show for it, to the recent debacle with the H1N1 vaccine, everything he touches turns to ****

[burn_this_city]

They've doomed themselves in the next election. Voters in Calgary are not pleased with Farmer Ed and I think the PC's are in for an upset.

[3 Justin 3]

I saw the numbers on cbc and that said the support for Ed was like 23% and 77% wanted him gone, among voters anyway. He's going to get killed in the next election. Might win, but by a small margin.

[Thor]

I'd vote for anything but the PC's, so if WAP can win I'll vote for them.

[FireFly]

Ah, the delegate system. Wonderful, eh? Memberships are rolling in again...

[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by burn_this_city

They've doomed themselves in the next election. Voters in Calgary are not pleased with Farmer Ed and I think the PC's are in for an upset.

Ironically, Edmonton is becoming his bastion of support, even though he is bleeding support from everywhere. Edmonton is the only area where the Liberals are gaining anything too. If there was an election today, I'd think the PCs would get absolutely crushed in Calgary.

77% is an interesting number to me. It is a number that makes you think that the party is attempting to rally around its leader, but it is low enough that you have to believe there is a lot of dissention in the ranks.

[flylock shox]

Waitaminute.

Am I to understand from this thread that Alberta has democracy now?

Seriously - if not the Conservatives, then how do y'all see this election thingy playing out?

Rhinos FTW?

[HotHotHeat]

When the province began to trend towards the PC's away from the Social Credit Party, was it not Calgary that led the shift?

Farmer Ed has catered to just that, farmers. He's neglected his most important supporters, which speaks volumes about his political wherewithal. The guy has basically run the party into the ground, so congrats to him. I'm sick of hearing about how rural Alberta finally has a voice with farmer Ed in place. Urban centres run an economy, not farmers.

[Resolute 14]

He's not catering well to farmers anymore either. Rural Alberta has always held the power in this province, and he's driving the rural vote away as well. Problem for the Liberals is that the rural vote isn't going to go their way. That's going to go to the right.

In June, I believe, the WRA had about 1500 members overall. I was at the founding meeting for the Calgary-Hays constituency association last week where it was noted that there are now nearly 400 members in that riding alone, and growing, and an overall total of over 13,000 members. Even if Stelmach can right the ship somewhat, the damage he has done now is generating a lot of support, and more importantly money, for what may well become his biggest rival in two years.

[Hammertime]

This is the best outcome the WRA could have hoped for.
Anyone interested in running as a WRA candidate in Calgary at the next election will have a decent shot at an MLA seat.

[metallicat]

From an email:

"The outcome of tonight's vote was exactly what we expected, but it goes against what I am hearing across the province. Albertans are upset with this government for destroying investor confidence in our energy industry, for mishandling our health care system and for taking us back into deficits. Tonight's decision by the Alberta PC's doesn't change a single thing that the Wildrose Party will do in the coming months. We will work hard to show Albertans that we are the alternative to the PC's and that we will give Albertans the kind of government they expect and deserve."

- Danielle Smith, Leader of the Wildrose Alliance Party of Alberta

[4X4]

Works for me. If the PCs are satisfied with the status quo (which their leader is in charge of setting), that's all I need to know for the next election.
Hopefully, after all the dust settles around her appointment, Smith materializes into a real leader, and gives the PCs a run for their money.
The PCs already lost my vote. I held my nose and voted for the Liberals in the last election. Nothing would make me happier than to see a WRA candidate take my riding. I doubt that the WRA can usurp power in the next election, but here's hoping that they take enough seats to finally give us an opposition with a voice.

Screw you, Dave Taylor! I don't have to vote for you next time!

[Traditional_Ale]

Go wra!!!

[Ford Prefect]

Stelmach and his government are becoming increasing irrelevant. March 2012 can't come soon enough to suit me. I don't think it even matters who their leader is. Who do they have to replace Stelmach? Morton? Evans? Dinning might be their best bet, but that ship has sailed. Nope ... they've become irrelevant. Bring on the WRA, or WAP or whatever.

[3 Justin 3]

Originally Posted by Ford Prefect

Stelmach and his government are becoming increasing irrelevant. March 2012 can't come soon enough to suit me. I don't think it even matters who their leader is. Who do they have to replace Stelmach? Morton? Evans? Dinning might be their best bet, but that ship has sailed. Nope ... they've become irrelevant. Bring on the WRA, or WAP or whatever.

What happens in 2012? Stelmach is out because his time in office is up or what? My knowledge in provincial politics is minimal.

[ken0042]

2012 is the latest the Conservatives have to call the next election.