April 23 2012: Alberta Provincial Election

[First Lady]

Originally Posted by EddyBeers

I am surprised that nobody in the media has talked about whether Redford can even survive a leadership review in 12 months. I suspect she is done regardless of what happens on Monday, which makes the fact that some progressives are voting for her even more puzzling. They will vote for a PC candidate, then if by some miracle the PC Party wins the election they will have a Ted Morton type as the Premier after Redford is booted and replaced by a more conservative option.

Although it will be humorous to see the progressives cry and moan about how Premier Morton was not what they were voting for and how could this happen etc. etc.

http://www2.canada.com/calgaryherald...829f90369e&p=1

[Senator Clay Davis]

In the vain of the Redford question, what happens if Danielle loses her bid in Highwood? Would the WR promote someone else, or would someone else step down and let her run in a by-election?

[First Lady]

Originally Posted by Senator Clay Davis

In the vain of the Redford question, what happens if Danielle loses her bid in Highwood? Would the WR promote someone else, or would someone else step down and let her run in a by-election?

I think rather than "promote" you mean "elect".

And yes, either of those would be possible. The latter being the more likely.

A side note, it's very rare for a party leader to not win their seat. One that comes to mind is Don Getty.

[Slava]

Originally Posted by darklord700

No too many people including me think that any party can deliver all they promise in a campaign. But I find it surprising that you only closely scrutinize WR but not Redford or Liberal's numbers. That's OK except that I remember a saying that hypocrisy is the tribute vice pays to virtue.

That's surprising only to you then. In reality the surprising part is that you admit their platform isn't feasible, but will still defend it. Thats a nice line about hypocrisy, but there's nothing hypocritical here. I never claimed I gave the same scrutiny to every campaign, and I've never vigorously defended the PCs in particular. I just might vote for them rather than electing a backbench MLA for a party that can't deliver.

[c.t.ner]

Originally Posted by Senator Clay Davis

In the vain of the Redford question, what happens if Danielle loses her bid in Highwood? Would the WR promote someone else, or would someone else step down and let her run in a by-election?

Someone else would run in a by-election is my guess. Similar to what happened to Don Getty years ago. If I'm correct she can still be Premier without having a seat in government.

[darklord700]

Originally Posted by Senator Clay Davis

In the vain of the Redford question, what happens if Danielle loses her bid in Highwood? Would the WR promote someone else, or would someone else step down and let her run in a by-election?

Smith is WR, doesn't matter if she wins her seat or not. Redford is another matter, she's a goner just by putting the PC where they are now.

Wonder why Mar was quiet for the last few days? I think he knows that Redford's days are numbers and is planning a palace coup after the election.

[Senator Clay Davis]

Assuming somehow they chose to elect someone else, any thoughts as to who might be the leader First_Lady?

[Slava]

Originally Posted by darklord700

Smith is WR, doesn't matter if she wins her seat or not. Redford is another matter, she's a goner just by putting the PC where they are now.

Wonder why Mar was quiet for the last few days? I think he knows that Redford's days are numbers and is planning a palace coup after the election.

Doesn't matter if she wins her seat? Thats hilarious! Sounds like someones setting the bar low!

[First Lady]

Originally Posted by Senator Clay Davis

Assuming somehow they chose to elect someone else, any thoughts as to who might be the leader First_Lady?

It's not going to happen. Danielle is a very strong leader. IMO this won't even be a valid discussion for at least 8 years.

[Senator Clay Davis]

Haha I like the confidence, already predicting an 8-year reign?

[EddyBeers]

Originally Posted by First Lady

http://www2.canada.com/calgaryherald...829f90369e&p=1

Thank you, for a Wild Rose gal your not so bad

[Rathji]

Originally Posted by Senator Clay Davis

Haha I like the confidence, already predicting an 8-year reign?

Either it happens this time or next election, but I predict that as soon as the WRP gains any power, unless they really crap the bed, it will spell the end of the PC party. I guess the option is for the Liberal party to completely die and the PC party to assume their role, but that would take a very strong PC showing in this election, along with the crushing of the Liberal party.

History has shown, and I see no reason why it would change, that we don't often change the ruling party in Alberta. I am 100% certain that is why the WRP is doing the 'somewhat irrational but populist' platform to try and gain power, because once they do, they think that Albertans will just keep them in there for a long time.

In 10 years, despite what many staunch supporters might claim, they will be exactly the same as the PC party of 4-8 years ago. That's not a bad thing, because I think that's what Alberta really wants/needs.

[Mean Mr. Mustard]

Originally Posted by GirlySports

Since when were newspapers in the endorsement business?

For as long as I can remember... I can guarantee you that the Sun will endorse Smith, well if they haven't already based upon the headlines I have seen on the front page of that newspaper.

[Senator Clay Davis]

I think the length of the Wildrose reign will depend on majority/minority. Remember Alberta has never had a minority government, so that probably has a lot to do with long dynasties. A minority Monday makes a long reign less likely.

[Rerun]

Voted last night. Busy place. Had to stand in line to vote. I think this election will have a great turnout.

I think I saw 3 people there that were in the 18-26 age range. Shame. Nearly everone there was 30+

[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by Slava

It could be any party, not only the PCs. What are you basing that on?

Well, given the federal issue with robocalls, I'm sure there is a bit of a "tainted by the federal party" effect going. However, lets face the truth, there is only one single party that stands to gain from such tactics. They will deny (of course), but Redford won't condemn the practise.

Going after those kids for their video just shows how election laws are behind the times. I totally understand the intent of the laws, but this doesn't seem appropriate. Its just easier for a small group of people (as we see there) to try to influence voters, and whether you agree or disagree with the message, we should be encouraging people to get involved.

I doubt those kids had any idea they were breaking the law when they made that video, and while ignorance isn't the test, it should be considered when its a group of citizens and them alone.

Agreed mostly, but not completely. What if Encana or another big business did the same thing: spent the same $ on a video promotion of their own? A small group of citizens or a company or a union or a public institution. You can't ask the groups you don't like to follow the law while excusing the ones you do.

That said, evidently this is a new (?) law for Alberta. If so, let the kids off and ensure that the limitations are better promoted next time.

[Mean Mr. Mustard]

Originally Posted by darklord700

Smith is WR, doesn't matter if she wins her seat or not. Redford is another matter, she's a goner just by putting the PC where they are now.

Wonder why Mar was quiet for the last few days? I think he knows that Redford's days are numbers and is planning a palace coup after the election.

If Redford loses the election I would say it has more to do with her being the replacement captain of a sinking ship. She is a very bright and determined woman who has the most impressive resume out of any of the leaders. There are issues regarding education funding which I agree with the principle but I think it was administered poorly as one time influxes of monies into a system doesn’t have the greatest long term effect possible not to mention the fact that it can appear as though it was a bribe to teachers for assisting her in getting elected… but at the same time she made a promise in her election campaign and followed through on it, so that is really hard to fault someone too much for.

After that I do think that Alberta does need to move to a more forward thinking approach and that includes actually acknowledging that climate change is occurring, it doesn’t do us any good to laughably say that we should let the scientists debate the issue in perpetuity when it appears as though the scientific consensus is that climate change is a real issue. Actually having government invest in the science and carbon capture initiatives helps diversify the economy and makes Alberta oil more appealing on the world stage. I am a big supporter of the Oil Sands and it drives Alberta’s economy, especially now that Natural Gas is cheaper than donkey urine and companies are only drilling to maintain rights/get the by-products.

With regards to health care both the two main parties haven’t done anything to address the actual issue as to why people are using hospital beds, if they gave a tax credit for having an elderly resident live with them it would be great for the health care system in general, same thing with health promotion activities. Right now neither party has touched this at all and that is a huge disappointment. What really is discouraging is Smith’s pay other provinces for procedures, that is sending money out of the provincial health care system and if people are concerned about costs now wait until the bills from other provinces start coming in. There are issues with the health care system but that has just as much to do with an aging population who needlessly occupy expensive hospital beds waiting for long term placement as well as people who have awful lifestyle choices resulting in a need to use the system. Social justice initiatives can save money if they are administered properly and just because something has a liberal slant to it, doesn’t necessarily make it evil communist, socialist, nanny-state loving or whatever terms people like to use.

If there was a party that had a press conference with an economist stating this is where we expect savings, this will be the total cost, long term savings projections indicate X, Y, and Z, I would vote for that party in a heartbeat. But that doesn't make for interesting politics I guess.

[Mean Mr. Mustard]

Originally Posted by Rerun

Voted last night. Busy place. Had to stand in line to vote. I think this election will have a great turnout.

I think I saw 3 people there that were in the 18-26 age range. Shame. Nearly everone there was 30+

Final exams at university are taking place right now so I would suspect that would decrease numbers quite a bit... that and voting has never been overly population with the youth.

[First Lady]

Originally Posted by Senator Clay Davis

Haha I like the confidence, already predicting an 8-year reign?

No. As I pointed out to you previously our party constitution calls for term limits.

Regardless of whether she wins or not; I can't see party members entertaining a leadership review.

[Senator Clay Davis]

That the advanced vote is predominantly older isn't surprising. Besides young people being oblivious/disinterested/in exams, older people are more likely to not actually be able to vote Monday (work, away, unable to get to a polling station). I also think that the WR will likely see a bigger push in advanced polls since I'd assume their supporters are most exicited to vote.