Former cabinet minister Jim Prentice to seek Alberta PC leadership

[Dion]

A long-time spokesman for Mr. Prentice, who asked not to be named, said Mr. Prentice will formally enter the governing party’s leadership race sometime after May 8, the day of the party’s major Calgary fundraising dinner he is set to chair. If Mr. Prentice indeed steps in, he will instantly have frontrunner status in the September vote.

“He’s been making calls to cabinet and caucus, I can confirm that, and he’s received a lot of encouragement to run,” said the spokesman. “He’s putting together a finance and campaign team. In the coming days – it will likely be a week or more – he will be making a formal announcement at which point in time he’ll outline his vision for the province.”

What he is looking at is the crossroads that Alberta is at right now, and the opportunity to contribute. He’s obviously had a lot of experience in the public and private sector. He feels that he has a lot to offer and he believes the province needs a conservative agenda.”

Although there has been rampant speculation in recent days that Mr. Prentice would run in Calgary-Elbow, the riding in the south of the city currently held by former premier Alison Redford – who is still an MLA – the spokesman said Mr. Prentice hasn’t given any thought to where he will run. Mr. Prentice served as an MP in Calgary Centre North from 2004-2010 and owns a house in northwest Calgary.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/...ticle18314237/

[CaptainCrunch]

Good, I like Jim Prentice alot.

Is he a shoe in to win the leadership? It depends who runs and who drives the membership campaign.

Can he win a provincial election? I'm not even sure if he can turn this PC mess around in the next 15 months. The PC's have given the opposition way to much ammo, not only on the whole entitlements stuff, but in the way that the PC"s do business and keep the books.

Personally I think the smart move for him would have been to stay away, see the PC's reduced to ashes in the next election and then come in and rebuild the party properly.

[Jacks]

Originally Posted by CaptainCrunch

Is he a shoe in to win the leadership? It depends who runs and who drives the membership campaign.

Can he win a provincial election?

I would say yes and yes.

[Russic]

To me this would pretty much be the worst possible outcome from the Wild Rose perspective. He's smart, accomplished, experienced, and just progressive enough that the left won't mind voting for him (he was one of the only members of the Harper Conservatives to outright say he supported gay marriage). I thought the last few years may have driven the Conservatives pretty close to the edge, but imo this should pull them back.

[Azure]

Should have happened years ago.

[SebC]

I still detest him for his copyright bill. Ugh.

[calgarygeologist]

Originally Posted by Russic

To me this would pretty much be the worst possible outcome from the Wild Rose perspective. He's smart, accomplished, experienced, and just progressive enough that the left won't mind voting for him (he was one of the only members of the Harper Conservatives to outright say he supported gay marriage). I thought the last few years may have driven the Conservatives pretty close to the edge, but imo this should pull them back.

I agree. I like Prentice and he should be good for the PC party. It will be a tough decision for me between Prentice and the Wildrose. I've given up on the current PC party but Prentice might be enough to bring me back.

[Tinordi]

Will be very interesting to see what he does with the oil sands and the patch. It's long been rumoured that he had alot of frustrations in federal cabinet trying to implementing greenhouse gas regulations on the oil patch as the Federal Minister of the Environment. He clearly is very knowledgeable of the file and also seems to recognize the need for good regulations there. Of course the depth of regulatory capture by the oil industry on the provincial conservatives would make a banana republic proud. Just how he can change the internal machinery in the PC party and civil service toward the oil sector will be something to watch. Assuming he becomes premier of course.

[Frequitude]

Securing the Gateway pipeline through public political discource will serve him very well in a ~2020 campaign for Prime Minister.

Assuming he becomes Premier of course.

[TorqueDog]

Originally Posted by SebC

I still detest him for his copyright bill. Ugh.

Likewise. That said, this position would get him far, far away from being able to influence any sort of legislation like that.

[Kjesse]

Prentice v. Smith is a lopsided battle heavily in Prentice's favour.

[killer_carlson]

Originally Posted by Delgar

Prentice v. Smith is a lopsided battle heavily in Prentice's favour.

It may well be. However, I think the PC vs WR is titled towards the WR.

Which is why I expect the PCs to turn this into a Prentice vs Smith fight, whereas the Wildrose will turn it into a WR vs PC.

[calgarygeologist]

Looks like Prentice has managed to scare off NDP leadership already as Mason has announced he is stepping down as leader of the Alberta NDP's.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmont...-ndp-1.2625717

[Jacks]

Originally Posted by calgarygeologist

Looks like Prentice has managed to scare off NDP leadership already as Mason has announced he is stepping down as leader of the Alberta NDP's.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmont...-ndp-1.2625717

I'm guessing that you are joking but the NDP and PC's don't compete for the same voters.

[calgarygeologist]

Originally Posted by Jacks

I'm guessing that you are joking but the NDP and PC's don't compete for the same voters.

Yeah, I was trying to be humorous but it is an interesting coincidence.

[SebC]

Originally Posted by killer_carlson

I expect the PCs to turn this into a Prentice vs Smith fight, whereas the Wildrose will turn it into a WR vs PC.

That's a tough strategy to execute, because if you showcase the party, you risk another "Lake of Fire".

[Kjesse]

Originally Posted by killer_carlson

It may well be. However, I think the PC vs WR is titled towards the WR.

Which is why I expect the PCs to turn this into a Prentice vs Smith fight, whereas the Wildrose will turn it into a WR vs PC.

I agree. It will be interesting.

[killer_carlson]

Originally Posted by SebC

That's a tough strategy to execute, because if you showcase the party, you risk another "Lake of Fire".

Agreed

Candidate selection and communication from central party strategies will be critical for both parties.

[mustache ride]

Originally Posted by SebC

That's a tough strategy to execute, because if you showcase the party, you risk another "Lake of Fire".

Well there should be a pretty clear blue print on how not to deal with it this time

[kevman]

Condolences to his political career - touching the PC party is toxic!

I always assumed he had higher federal ambitions and was distancing himself to make a run at the Conservative leadership in a few years.