The Alison Redford transgressions thread. Update- Redford quits.

[c.t.ner]

Originally Posted by Slava

I also think it will be interesting to see how many, if any go to the Wild Rose or any other party. I wonder just how deep that rift is between the two.

My gut says very few go to a different party over this. I think it's more telling that they were threatening to sit as independents over this rather than just jumping ship. I personally think the divide between the PCs and Wildrose is much stronger than the displeasure with Allison.

[Knalus]

Originally Posted by c.t.ner

My gut says very few go to a different party over this. I think it's more telling that they were threatening to sit as independents over this rather than just jumping ship. I personally think the divide between the PCs and Wildrose is much stronger than the displeasure with Allison.

Are you sure it's not their displeasure with Allison is just far greater than their displeasure with their party? I don't think this is about the PC party members disliking their own party, just their leadership.

[Rerun]

All this talk of Redford stepping down is just speculation. It wouldn't surprise me in the least, if she fights tooth and nail to stay. This is a lady who feels she did nothing wrong, has an elevated sense of entitlement, and is stubborn as hell.

[c.t.ner]

Originally Posted by Knalus

Are you sure it's not their displeasure with Allison is just far greater than their displeasure with their party? I don't think this is about the PC party members disliking their own party, just their leadership.

I may need to rewrite my post with a bit more coffee. But that's what I was trying to say.

These MLAs are probably more unhappy with Redford then they are with Party itself. That's why I think Allison will step down way before a mass exodus occurs.

[darklord700]

The fact that Alison is willing to repay means she'll hang on to the bitter end. I don't expect a graceful exit from her.

[FireFly]

Even if Allison steps down or is removed, the PC party can't afford a leadership race with two years to go before another election. Would be interesting to see who steps forward to run and what kind of support they have. Either way it diverts a lot of potential party funding into leadership campaign funding.

[Slava]

Originally Posted by FireFly

Even if Allison steps down or is removed, the PC party can't afford a leadership race with two years to go before another election. Would be interesting to see who steps forward to run and what kind of support they have. Either way it diverts a lot of potential party funding into leadership campaign funding.

It could also sell a lot of memberships and generate a lot of interest in the party. I don't think a leadership contest is a death knell at all. It does depend who they get to run, but frankly its the election of a premier for the time being. That kind of race means a lot of publicity and a high profile.

[crazy_eoj]

Originally Posted by Slava

It could also sell a lot of memberships and generate a lot of interest in the party. I don't think a leadership contest is a death knell at all. It does depend who they get to run, but frankly its the election of a premier for the time being. That kind of race means a lot of publicity and a high profile.

Yup and the last time they did that they ended up with.....

ALISON REDFORD!

Couldn't possibly go wrong this time.

[Slava]

Originally Posted by crazy_eoj

Yup and the last time they did that they ended up with.....

ALISON REDFORD!

Couldn't possibly go wrong this time.

Maybe Danielle Smith will run.

[Senator Clay Davis]

The good news for the Wild Rose is they still have 2 years to turn whoever replaces Redford into a scandal ridden premier. But obviously a pretty tough blow if Redford is indeed out soon. They had a clear path running against her. Now they are back to square one.

[Regular_John]

Maybe it's just standard stuff, but to me the premier of a province shouldn't be "elected" through party caucus/leadership race. I get that if the premier steps down we need an interim solution, but that person's first act should be to call an election, not to serve as premier until a regular election cycle comes up.

But I'm probably horrible misinformed on this topic, just the way Redford got in initial always rubbed me the wrong way, and the likelihood of it happening again bugs me.

[Resolute 14]

Redford resigning would be a blow to the opposition's aspirations (not just Wildrose, but the Liberals and NDP as well), but how much of one would depend on how effectively they are able to paint the Tories as a whole as dysfunctional, entitled and out of touch.

Redford only held onto the Premier's seat because the Liberal vote propped up the Tories to fend off Wildrose. But every scandal that plagues this government only works to make the PCs themselves into the greater evil. That is a hell of a lot easier with Redford in charge, which it seems the party well realizes at this point. The big question is whether there is a charismatic potential leader in their caucus that can unify the party in barely two years.

[darklord700]

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

Redford resigning would be a blow to the opposition's aspirations (not just Wildrose, but the Liberals and NDP as well), but how much of one would depend on how effectively they are able to paint the Tories as a whole as dysfunctional, entitled and out of touch.

Danielle Smith must be sweating now. If PC did get a new premier, 2 year is a long time for voters to forget about Alison's transgression. And if this new premier is a true conservative, what's separating PC from WR then?

[killer_carlson]

any word on this hastily called caucus meeting today?

Redford was supposed to be in Saskatchewan to meet with Brad Wall, but CHED reported that the Sask premier's office is saying meeting cancelled. CHED also reporting that all ministers cancelled press and interview commitments this morning because of a "meeting". Understanding is that it is a caucus meeting.

[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by darklord700

Danielle Smith must be sweating now. If PC did get a new premier, 2 year is a long time for voters to forget about Alison's transgression. And if this new premier is a true conservative, what's separating PC from WR then?

The belief that it's just the same, tired PC party. There has, historically, been very little to differentiate the federal Liberals from the Conservatives all things considered. Much of the difference came down to party colours and how a voter chooses to label themselves. I think the provincial PCs have gone too far down the rabbit hole to prop up a "true conservative" and heal divisions on the right. That plan might well have worked if that candidate had won the leadership in 2011, but would be much tougher sledding now.

And you are right, two years is a long time to overcome Alison. But is it enough time to overcome the cumulative effects of Farmer Ed, Alison, and the obvious divisions within the PC party? Can the PCs use a leadership convention as a call to reunite and pick the best candidate? Or will it devolve into another factionalized effort where a mid-tier candidate that pleases nobody sneaks up the middle again?

Time is the best weapon the Tories have, and they need as much of it as they can get. Voters do have short attention spans, so while we know that people will scoff when said new leader comes up with the same "not your parent's PC party" propaganda pap that Redford did, there is time to let people forget. Raj and Danielle, of course, will be working hard to ensure the people don't.

And this is assuming the Tories don't elect a third uninspiring leader in a row. If they pick the wrong leader again, all bets are off.

[c.t.ner]

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

And you are right, two years is a long time to overcome Alison. But is it enough time to overcome the cumulative effects of Farmer Ed, Alison, and the obvious divisions within the PC party? Can the PCs use a leadership convention as a call to reunite and pick the best candidate? Or will it devolve into another factionalized effort where a mid-tier candidate that pleases nobody sneaks up the middle again?

Well to put it in a bit of context it was only July where Redford's handling of the floods (outside of High River) were reviving her popularity ratings back to where they were post 2012 election. It also took less than a week for a "sure bet" Wildrose Majority to flip back to a PC Majority. Heck it was two years ago that she was one of the darlings of the Canadian political landscape.

So 2 years is an incredibly long time to turn things around in Politics.

[mariners_fever]

Originally Posted by Slava

Maybe Danielle Smith will run.

No chance in hell.

[GP_Matt]

Originally Posted by darklord700

Danielle Smith must be sweating now. If PC did get a new premier, 2 year is a long time for voters to forget about Alison's transgression. And if this new premier is a true conservative, what's separating PC from WR then?

I support the Widldrose but I would still rather see a competent leader of the current ruling party over an incompetent one that is easy to beat.

I consider myself an Albertan first and would happily see the party I support lose if it was the result of a truly competent government steering Alberta in the right direction.

I certainly don't want an incompetent government running the province into the ground even if it means it will be easier to replace them.

That said, I have no idea if it is possible to salvage the PC party at this point.
Maybe with an outside leader of high caliber. I wonder if any stars from the federal conservatives would try for the position.

[automaton 3]

Sorry if already posted. Apparently Redford's office has been hiring additional Calgary police officers for protection at cost to taxpayers, even though she already has a team of about a dozen Sheriffs tasked to this (up from 7 for Stelmach):

http://www.calgaryherald.com/news/po...937/story.html

Beyond the issue of cost, another law enforcement source said putting police officers on Redford’s security detail is a needless duplication.

“She has a bunch of sheriffs who are paid to the same thing. She’s taking boots off the street,” said the source.

[Reaper]

Originally Posted by Rerun

All this talk of Redford stepping down is just speculation. It wouldn't surprise me in the least, if she fights tooth and nail to stay. This is a lady who feels she did nothing wrong, has an elevated sense of entitlement, and is stubborn as hell.

She reminds me of Peter McKay in that sense.