Klein to step down in September - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

Mr. Ski · 04-04-2006, 12:40 PM

http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/Canada/2...519382-cp.html

Probably the best call he could make given the 55% vote last Friday. Should be interesting to see how the leadership race shapes up now.

I haven't got a sentimental favorite in mind yet. Anyone else keen on one of the declared candidates?

habernac · 04-04-2006, 12:51 PM

Jim Dinning was the first name I thought of, we'll have to see who else wants the job.

kermitology · 04-04-2006, 12:52 PM

Whoever is willing to send me (edit: insert - the most) money right before an election...That's who I want!

Winsor_Pilates · 04-04-2006, 12:52 PM

I'm kind of surprised by this. I think he still has a strong support base amongst Albertans and a lot of the party members calling for new leadership are just excited to try and take a shot at the best job in the democratic world.

Does this taint his legacy at all, since he's not completely leaving on his own terms?

ken0042 · 04-04-2006, 12:56 PM

Even though I strongly support him, saying he was stepping down in 18 months was simply reckless. You cannot have party in-fighting for that long and expect it to remain strong.

OK, maybe in Alberta it could. But it still shouldn't be put to the test.

Bobblehead · 04-04-2006, 01:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ken0042

Even though I strongly support him, saying he was stepping down in 18 months was simply reckless. You cannot have party in-fighting for that long and expect it to remain strong.

OK, maybe in Alberta it could. But it still shouldn't be put to the test.

Making his self into a lame duck Premiere was a big mistake. Its almost like it got too easy, and when he started feeling pressure to leave it made politics more interesting again.

Nehkara · 04-04-2006, 02:01 PM

I'm so glad he's finally on his way out.

Tower · 04-04-2006, 02:02 PM

Not soon enough....

nieuwy-89 · 04-04-2006, 03:53 PM

Here's my run-down of some of the candidates...

Jim Dinning is the front-runner. He has just the right pedigree for a leadership race: a mix of public and private sector experience, intelligence, charm, charisma, and a huge network. I attended one of his "coffee parties" recently. He has a grand vision for the province but I question whether he has the means to get us there. I found him a bit short of details.

Ed Stelmach is one of the nicest down-to-earth politicians you'll ever meet. He was also the best Minister of Transportation this province has seen in a long time. He has strong rural support but is pretty much unknown in the cities. I'm thinking of throwing my support his way.

Lyle Oberg is a tool.

Mark Norris has a lot of corporate support in Edmonton, but I question how an MLA who lost his seat in the last election can make a credible run.

Dave Hancock is a much better choice as an Edmonton candidate. He is a moderate within the party and a quiet champion for many issues. I think he would be a strong leader but just doesn't have the province-wide appeal that Dinning has.

If Preston Manning joins the race it will be to take up the social conservative spot that has apparently been vacated by Ted Morton. (Word is Ted doesn't have the support to make a serious run). Preston is intriguing - a true intellectual with an amazing knowledge of provincial and federal government. However I don't think he'll be able to overcome the image of being "yesterday's man".

Canada 02 · 04-04-2006, 07:29 PM

I wonder if Klein will encourage one of his loyalists to join the leadership race. Apparently, he still has 55% support within the party. What if Klein throws that weight behind his prefered candidate, rather than the declared candidates who may have conspired to have him ousted

FireFly · 04-04-2006, 11:38 PM

I think this may hurt the Conservatives. Many people liked Ralph not the party. For the party to force him out like that looks bad. We're almost due for our 30 year governing party change, aren't we? I would not be surprised if there was a serious drop in support for the Conservatives before/during/after this leadership race.

Winsor_Pilates · 04-05-2006, 11:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Canada 02

I wonder if Klein will encourage one of his loyalists to join the leadership race. Apparently, he still has 55% support within the party. What if Klein throws that weight behind his prefered candidate, rather than the declared candidates who may have conspired to have him ousted

That's what I was thinking too. If Klein does pulicly give his support to one of the candidates that could be a huge boost for them. The people who turned on Ralph may really come to regret it.