Calgary Civic Election Poll #2: Who do you support for Mayor?

[SebC]

Originally Posted by Frequitude

I'm splitting the business experience criteria discussion I started in the Barb Higgins thread into here.

Rightly or wrongly, business and project management experience is my #1 priority in a candidate. I view a city as a big business whose mandate is to re-invest all "profits" back into the city through capital expenditures, department budgets, reduced taxes, etc.

Of course political experience is very important, but my choice will be the man or woman who best meets the above criteria.

"Naheed spent many years at the international business consulting firm, McKinsey & Co., where he advised large telecommunications, banking, retail and oil and gas companies in corporate strategy. After leaving McKinsey, Naheed formed his own business, the Ascend Group, a consultancy that assists public, private, and nonprofit organizations to grow. In this role he designed major policy for the Alberta government, helped create a Canadian strategy for The Gap, Banana Republic and Old Navy and worked with the United Nations to determine how global business can help the poorest people on the planet. Naheed is now Canada’s first tenured professor in the field of nonprofit management, at Mount Royal University’s Bissett School of Business."

- http://www.nenshi.ca/new/about

Originally Posted by jammies

I'm for Higgins 'cause Reggie is against her. She must have something going for her.

By that logic, you'd be for the Oilers.

[jammies]

Originally Posted by SebC

By that logic, you'd be for the Oilers.

Ah, but sports fandom isn't about logic, it's about emotion. Luckily.

[kipperfan]

Originally Posted by fotze

Ya, she shouldn't be allowed to run, the slunt.

She also appears to lack in the alcoholism thing.

Good move. I would stick with the jokes and fluff off the issue too if I was trying to hold up the credentials of a lifetime newsreader to those of Mr. Klein.

[4X4]

Originally Posted by Flames in 07

That or that she's not talented enough to get a national job.

You just proved that name recognition is all you need, which is a growing problem in politics.

How can reading a script year after year be a good preparation for being a mayor? What that tells me is that she has zero mgmt experience, and if she has an ability to analyze costs, understand the effects of real life decisions or influence people with new ideas is purely by luck, not because of experience.

The only first hand information I have of her, is that an old boyfriend of hers (or who knows, maybe husband) is one of the crudest, immature, disrespectful humans I've ever come across.

Lol. Not talented enough to get a national job, eh? Maybe that's the case, or maybe she wants to be in Calgary. Maybe CTV was compensating her sufficiently. You're basing your opinion on meeting some a-hole that you don't even remember the connection to her?

All of this lack of experience that you mention is true in most of the other candidates as well. This has much less to do solely with name recognition, and much more to do with name recognition that seems to be pretty clean. The chick has been a "local celebrity" for over 20 years and the worst thing anyone can dredge up is that she may have hooked up with someone in a limo, and that she dated an a-hole once?

Reading the threads here has me wondering why there's so much hate for a mayoral hopeful. Where are all the others' qualifications that she so sorely lacks? What has McIver done except say no to everything outside his ward, and blink on TV at superhuman speed? The only person in this race that I can see that has some sort of "credibility" is Nenshi, simply because he studies this exact science. Other than him, the others are a mish mash of regular old joes like the rest of us (and Higgins) that either won an alderman seat, or haven't even done that yet. So why the particular hate for Higgins? Someone please explain.

[Ducay]

Originally Posted by 4X4

Lol. Not talented enough to get a national job, eh? Maybe that's the case, or maybe she wants to be in Calgary. Maybe CTV was compensating her sufficiently. You're basing your opinion on meeting some a-hole that you don't even remember the connection to her?

All of this lack of experience that you mention is true in most of the other candidates as well. This has much less to do solely with name recognition, and much more to do with name recognition that seems to be pretty clean. The chick has been a "local celebrity" for over 20 years and the worst thing anyone can dredge up is that she may have hooked up with someone in a limo, and that she dated an a-hole once?

Reading the threads here has me wondering why there's so much hate for a mayoral hopeful. Where are all the others' qualifications that she so sorely lacks? What has McIver done except say no to everything outside his ward, and blink on TV at superhuman speed? The only person in this race that I can see that has some sort of "credibility" is Nenshi, simply because he studies this exact science. Other than him, the others are a mish mash of regular old joes like the rest of us (and Higgins) that either won an alderman seat, or haven't even done that yet. So why the particular hate for Higgins? Someone please explain.

People are angry because look at all the votes she has already and she hasn't even given a platform. She is also acting as if she has some great experience that would make her a good mayor. Reading a teleprompter and putting up with Darryl Janz's BO for 21 years does a mayor not make.

If she somehow comes through with a great platform I support, then she'll get my vote. For now she is just running off her name with real people behind the scenes doing all the politics for her.

[kipperfan]

Originally Posted by 4X4

Reading the threads here has me wondering why there's so much hate for a mayoral hopeful. Where are all the others' qualifications that she so sorely lacks? What has McIver done except say no to everything outside his ward, and blink on TV at superhuman speed? The only person in this race that I can see that has some sort of "credibility" is Nenshi, simply because he studies this exact science. Other than him, the others are a mish mash of regular old joes like the rest of us (and Higgins) that either won an alderman seat, or haven't even done that yet. So why the particular hate for Higgins? Someone please explain.

If you're referring to my posts, do not get me wrong, I have no "hate" for Higgins. I also have no hate for Ales Kotalik, despite the fact that he is terribly underqualified for his job. What offends me is that so many (seemingly) people are ready to vote for Higgins today despite her lack of relevant experience or platform specifics.

With regards to the qualifcations the others have that she lacks, aside from Stewart, Kassam and Hughes (no chance in hell for any of them), Nenshi is the only candidate that has not been elected to and held public office. As you mention, Nenshi's other qualifications give him a pass on that front, I do not think Higgins's do.

[4X4]

Originally Posted by Ducay

People are angry because look at all the votes she has already and she hasn't even given a platform. She is also acting as if she has some great experience that would make her a good mayor. Reading a teleprompter and putting up with Darryl Janz's BO for 21 years does a mayor not make.

If she somehow comes through with a great platform I support, then she'll get my vote. For now she is just running off her name with real people behind the scenes doing all the politics for her.

MAn, some of you people are tripping pretty hard. She just announced herself as a candidate TODAY. She held a press conference and described what kind of person she is and why she wants to be mayor. Friggin Kent Hehr didn't open his mouth until a month after he announced his candidacy. Crikey. The only one who's said much about anything is Nenshi.

This seems like a lot of hate for the fact that she's going to get a bunch of votes from the uninformed. Like jealousy almost. 20 years she's been showing her face on the nightly news and not once has her name been associated with anything bad or negative. Now, that's no achievement in itself, but what it is is a pretty good track record. Good way to start, I'd say. Don't hate her for that.

[kipperfan]

Originally Posted by 4X4

MAn, some of you people are tripping pretty hard. She just announced herself as a candidate TODAY. She held a press conference and described what kind of person she is and why she wants to be mayor. Friggin Kent Hehr didn't open his mouth until a month after he announced his candidacy. Crikey. The only one who's said much about anything is Nenshi.

This seems like a lot of hate for the fact that she's going to get a bunch of votes from the uninformed. Like jealousy almost. 20 years she's been showing her face on the nightly news and not once has her name been associated with anything bad or negative. Now, that's no achievement in itself, but what it is is a pretty good track record. Good way to start, I'd say. Don't hate her for that.

Nah. This is "a lot of hate" for the fact that it appears she already has.

[4X4]

Originally Posted by kipperfan

Nah. This is "a lot of hate" for the fact that it appears she already has.

Well you can relax a bit. It's an online poll three months before an election, and before anyone has tabled a platform. If she's as stupid as all those posters claim she is, she'll lose the race. This poll is purely a popularity vote. None of her bogus votes are any more meaningful than the votes for anyone else. Things will look a lot different in mid September.

[4X4]

On the bright side, look at what the stupid ugly unqualified news broad has done to McIver's popularity.

[kipperfan]

Originally Posted by 4X4

Well you can relax a bit. It's an online poll three months before an election, and before anyone has tabled a platform. If she's as stupid as all those posters claim she is, she'll lose the race. This poll is purely a popularity vote. None of her bogus votes are any more meaningful than the votes for anyone else. Things will look a lot different in mid September.

I hear you and do not think I am saying she is stupid, to be frank, I am in no position to comment on that. I am simply miffed at how, with regards to this poll, almost 50% of the CP respondents thus far feel a lady they have seen read the news for 20 years and they know basically nothing else about deserves their vote more then a Nenshi or a Hehr.

[kipperfan]

Originally Posted by 4X4

On the bright side, look at what the stupid ugly unqualified news broad has done to McIver's popularity.

Lol...fair enough. If that stat holds I do have one thing to love about Barb!

Edit: The one good thing I will say about ol' Rick...his salsa at this years Sun and Salsa Fest was one of the, if not the best! (what a horrid politician though)

[Frequitude]

What is everyone's take on Joe Connelly? I met him at Stampede and man did he just come across as a clownish gladhander.

[4X4]

Originally Posted by kipperfan

I hear you and do not think I am saying she is stupid, to be frank, I am in no position to comment on that. I am simply miffed at how, with regards to this poll, almost 50% of the CP respondents thus far feel a lady they have seen read the news for 20 years and they know basically nothing else about deserves their vote more then a Nenshi or a Hehr.

A few posters called her stupid and ugly in the other thread. I didn't mean you, unless it was you that made one of the comments.

I see why you're annoyed by her sudden popularity. I honestly do. I think the reason I'm spending this much time defending her is because I'm disturbed by the initial reaction to her announcement. Post after post of how ugly she is, or how stupid she is. Like, WTF? Even the most loved/hated man in this race (McIver) didn't get called stupid or ugly. There's some creepy weird chick hate on this site. I really don't get it. Even regardless of the personal insults, all the questioning of her credentials. There wasn't three threads about all the other candidates' lack of credentials. Why hers? How come nobody else got ripped to shreds for not announcing their full, detailed platform on the day they announced candidacy?

[kipperfan]

Originally Posted by 4X4

A few posters called her stupid and ugly in the other thread. I didn't mean you, unless it was you that made one of the comments.

I see why you're annoyed by her sudden popularity. I honestly do. I think the reason I'm spending this much time defending her is because I'm disturbed by the initial reaction to her announcement. Post after post of how ugly she is, or how stupid she is. Like, WTF? Even the most loved/hated man in this race (McIver) didn't get called stupid or ugly. There's some creepy weird chick hate on this site. I really don't get it. Even regardless of the personal insults, all the questioning of her credentials. There wasn't three threads about all the other candidates' lack of credentials. Why hers? How come nobody else got ripped to shreds for not announcing their full, detailed platform on the day they announced candidacy?

And I see your point as well. TBQH I must have joined the party a bit late as I missed the other thread you're referring to.

I guess to try and further my point, if for example, Alnoor Kassam or even a Craig Burrows had as many votes in this poll as Barb does then it would be one of them I would be slamming. I do not think Barb is qualified for this job, however her being a women does not fuel my assumption in any way, in fact, I think it would be great for Calgary to have a (qualified) female mayor. Maybe Barb comes out with an amazing platform, TBQH I would still have very dire concerns with regards to her complete lack of relevant experience.

[Rhettzky]

Originally Posted by kipperfan

You're really going to try and draw that comparison? Ralph Klein was a respected and hard hitting reporter. He uncovered stories, thoroughly researched issues and oh by the way, covered municipal politics on a daily basis for almost 10 years! Meanwhile Barb has been a newslady for 20+ years, I will give you that. But in reality, all Barb has done for those 20 years are attempt to look pretty and read from a teleprompter five nights a week. IIRC she used to also do a fluff "public interest" type piece every year or so...to call her a reporter would be a laugh.

I don't know about that. This is from her site...

You already know me from the nightly news. I've been honoured to be named, along with Darrel Janz, as Calgary's most trusted news personality. But what you may not know is that I didn't just read the news. I've written the news on municipal politics for 21 years.

Granted, it's her spin on her credentials but I think your over-simplification of her experience is off-base.

[4X4]

Originally Posted by kipperfan

And I see your point as well. TBQH I must have joined the party a bit late as I missed the other thread you're referring to.

I guess to try and further my point, if for example, Alnoor Kassam or even a Craig Burrows had as many votes in this poll as Barb does then it would be one of them I would be slamming. I do not think Barb is qualified for this job, however her being a women does not fuel my assumption in any way, in fact, I think it would be great for Calgary to have a (qualified) female mayor. Maybe Barb comes out with an amazing platform, TBQH I would still have very dire concerns with regards to her complete lack of relevant experience.

Ok, but what makes all the other people qualified? Where are the business degrees? Do any of the other candidates have them? I contend that life experience and being up close and personal with what goes on at city hall for 20 years gives a person some pretty good reasons to run for mayor and want to do things his or her own way. Our last three prime ministers before Harper (a political scientist) were ;lawyers. How does that qualify them to run a country?

I think that the "lack of credentials" is being blown way out of proportion for a job that doesn't really hold all that much "power" to begin with. She'd still be one of 15 votes. Her biggest advantage is that she's a face that's trusted in this city. If she has a strong vision, people are more likely to follow it. That's important in a mayor, IMO.

[kipperfan]

Originally Posted by Rhettzky

I don't know about that. This is from her site...



Granted, it's her spin on her credentials but I think your over-simplification of her experience is off-base.

Okay fair enough, lets take her at her word and say she did write it for 21 years. She still never reported on municipal politics. She had stories and facts brought to her (by the people that actually understood and covered the issues) and then she put everything into her own words (usually very eloquently) for the evening news. Not to continue to rag on Barb, but that is nothing that any english major (and likely, most anyone with a decent command of the english language and an ability to write) could not do.

Certainly nothing to brag about IMO.

[frinkprof]

Originally Posted by Frequitude

What is everyone's take on Joe Connelly? I met him at Stampede and man did he just come across as a clownish gladhander.

He's a complete and utter imbecile with ridiculous ideas and priorities. I've tried to think of a more diplomatic way of expressing what I think and I don't think anything other than what I just said would encapsulate it. He was the worst rookie alderman on this past council.

Out of all the candidates for mayor, he is the one that I would least like to see win the race, and yes that includes McIver, Alnoor Kassam and even Paul Hughes the urban chicken farmer.

Gladhander?

[frinkprof]

Regarding Higgins, I'm in the camp of waiting to see what her platform is. However, to all the (early) naysayers, it should be pointed out that she has done a little more than just "read the news." Barb has been heavily involved for years in various charities and causes in the City including those dealing with issues of homelessness and (if I recall correctly) breast cancer prevention.