WAP closes gap on PC's in a big way...6% difference now

[Shazam]

Ted Morton's a twerp. He'd sink the PCs even faster than Stelmach.

[Slava]

I would say that if the PC's replace Ed then the WRA will have a hard time. It would depend on who they elect, but the increased media coverage and what could amount to the outright use of the WRA ideas might make things difficult for them. Morton might not be the best guy, but then again he is right of where the PC's are seen and that is certainly the same place the WRA is seen as being as well.

[Shazam]

Morton's more of a bigoted bumpkin than "right". His sputum would guarantee the PCs would never get into office again.

[VladtheImpaler]

Originally Posted by Shazam

Morton's more of a bigoted bumpkin than "right". His sputum would guarantee the PCs would never get into office again.

LOL - you do realize he would be running in Alberta, not metro Toronto?

[Shazam]

Originally Posted by VladtheImpaler

LOL - you do realize he would be running in Alberta, not metro Toronto?

You do realize there's coloured people in Alberta, right?

[VladtheImpaler]

Originally Posted by Shazam

You do realize there's coloured people in Alberta, right?

Hahahaha. You can't get more "bumpkin" than Eddie, and he won every seat (almost).

[Shazam]

Originally Posted by VladtheImpaler

Hahahaha. You can't get more "bumpkin" than Eddie, and he won every seat (almost).

Eddie's not a bigot. Guaranteed Morton would blurt out the n-word at least once.

[albertGQ]

Originally Posted by Shazam

Eddie's not a bigot. Guaranteed Morton would blurt out the n-word at least once.

Did he steal your lunch money in grade school?

[VladtheImpaler]

Originally Posted by Shazam

Eddie's not a bigot. Guaranteed Morton would blurt out the n-word at least once.

Sorry, I just realized this - are you talking about Papa Morton?

[Shazam]

Originally Posted by albertGQ

Did he steal your lunch money in grade school?

Do you have a hard time believing that bigots still exist? And can hold positions of power?

[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by Slava

If the green party were to re-register I think that bleeds away support from the WRA. I realise the whole left/right issue that most people will say makes no sense...but this is a protest vote. People were voting green in fairly large numbers and my suspicion is that they are now polling for the WRA. Frankly had there been a green candidate in the Glenmore by-election I think that the WRA loses that riding as well...but obviously we'll never know.

I would be shocked if a re-registered Green Party had any noticeable impact on WRA support. the two just don't jive at all in the public consciousness. I do agree that much of the current support for the WRA can be taken as rooted in protest - Especially against the PCs, but also against the Liberals.

For all the polls focus on the impact to Stelmach and the Tories, they are also a devastating show of disapproval of Swann and Mason's leadership. People are leaving the PCs in droves, yet the Liberal and NDP numbers are stagnant.

People want an alterntative to the Stelmach Tories. David Swann has obviously been rejected, as has Brian Mason. The WRA is collecing that almost by default right now. The Greens would not alter the balance in any way, as they have never been viewed as a party capable of governing.

Changes have to happen in several parties. The Liberals need to find an identity in a real hurry, or they might not be even the opposition next time around. The PCs need to show they have the leadership and vision to govern this province, or they may well not be governing anymore. And yes, the WRA needs to show that the hopes of disgruntled voters can be achieved by developing a strong platform that people can support.

Right now, the people want change. The banner they follow will be determined by what each of the three meaningful parties is able to producein the next 18 months.

[peter12]

Originally Posted by Shazam

Morton's more of a bigoted bumpkin than "right". His sputum would guarantee the PCs would never get into office again.

I actually really disagree, academically he's a brilliant scholar. Politically, you're probably right.

[ben voyonsdonc]

Originally Posted by Shazam

Eddie's not a bigot. Guaranteed Morton would blurt out the n-word at least once.

I dislike Morton's politics as much (or more) than anybody else but he was one of my professors at U of C and I do not believe he is a racist. He is anti-abortion and anti-gay rights - this gives me enough reason to disagree with him...he has given socially progressive people enough ammo with what the things that has actually said so let's not extrapolate and risk slandering him.

[ben voyonsdonc]

The Tories really have backed themselves in the corner with the endorsement of Stelmach. They had their chance to have a relatively bloodless leadership change but now the only way they get rid of him is to stage a backroom coup. Those usually get really ugly and might push even more people to the WAP or even to the Liberals.

[Resolute 14]

They were screwed either way. Supporting Stelmach supports the status quo, but dumping him rings of panic. The biggest thing the Tories have going for them though is time. Given the economy will likely be in recovery by the time the writ is dropped, that will be a big boon to the government.

[longsuffering]

A Calgary Herald columnist weighs in on the latest poll results.

Want some swamp land? (The headline IS NOT mine).

Hello, Albertans! Get a grip, please.

At least, get a grip the 39 per cent of you who told Angus Reid pollsters that the Wildrose Alliance is your party of choice to govern this province. You're talking about electing a premier (party leader Danielle Smith) who has never had a seat in the legislature and whose sole experience in politics was a brief tenure a decade ago as a school board trustee.

And you want her to just suddenly take over the province and be premier?
Are you delusional? Maybe you'd like a first-year medical student to perform open-heart surgery on you, too.

C'mon, Smith is not aiming to be head pompom girl of a high school cheerleading squad; she wants to preside over this province's government.

You don't hand a rookie the reins of government.

If the party can't woo anyone away from the Tories, then its slate of candidates in the next election, including its leader and excluding Hinman, are supposed to take over Alberta's government with virtually no experience in governing among the whole lot of them.

Granted, the column is somewhat over the top, but the the concern voiced over the (current) lack of experience in government within the ranks of the WRA, is legitimate IMO.

[VladtheImpaler]

Originally Posted by longsuffering

A Calgary Herald columnist weighs in on the latest poll results.

Want some swamp land? (The headline IS NOT mine).

Granted, the column is somewhat over the top, but the the concern voiced over the (current) lack of experience in government within the ranks of the WRA, is legitimate IMO.

OTOH, can it be much worse than what we are getting from the current "experienced" lot?

[FireFly]

Alberta has a history of electing people who have no experience... Repeatedly we have handed the reins to a rookie and it's served us well in the past.

[PsYcNeT]

Expect Susan Martinuk to chime in with a terrible editorial on the situation next week.

She has so much PC money in her pockets she carries a suitcase.

[Iowa_Flames_Fan]

Originally Posted by FireFly

Alberta has a history of electing people who have no experience... Repeatedly we have handed the reins to a rookie and it's served us well in the past.

Well, if by "no experience" you mean electing people with many years of political experience. Let's review:

Peter Lougheed: Was an MLA for six years before becoming premier. Had a political career that spanned two decades.
Don Getty: Had been an MLA for nearly two decades before being elected premier.
Ralph Klein: Was a longtime mayor of Calgary before being elected premier.
Ed Stelmach: MLA since 1993 before becoming premier in 2006.

That takes us back to the 1960s. Who, exactly, are these rookies? If anything, Albertans tend to prefer to stay the course and go with people who are seasoned politicians with tons of experience.