2 Wildrose MLAs to cross to PCs

[Slava]

Originally Posted by Reggie Dunlop

I have it on pretty good authority that Danielle Smith initially wanted to jump to the Alberta Party, but was rebuffed as their floor-crossing policy requires a cooling off period whereby the applicant has to sit as an independent first.

Crazy, I know.

Whole lot of crazy happening. Dust hasn't settled yet.

That would be interesting. How would Greg Clark feel about that? I can't imagine being thrilled at the prospect of not working for a year or two and then have someone else come in and lead the party.

[Bigtime]

Originally Posted by Dion

Recap for those who missed it?

She personally addressed you and asked if you could give a "gal" like her a second chance.

[RedMileDJ]

I predict she'll get a cabinet post, then retire as a PC, thus getting a big PC pension / payout.

During the Global news last night they said that she was apparently considering retiring in January.

[killer_carlson]

Originally Posted by Reggie Dunlop

I have it on pretty good authority that Danielle Smith initially wanted to jump to the Alberta Party, but was rebuffed as their floor-crossing policy requires a cooling off period whereby the applicant has to sit as an independent first.

Crazy, I know.

Whole lot of crazy happening. Dust hasn't settled yet.

I don't buy it Reg.

Alberta Party, with no leg presence and limited money, couldn't have landed much of a bigger fish. They would have adjusted their policy, because the Alberta Party is desperately short on policy and someone in the leg who can actually make a difference.

If there were discussions it would have started with whether the Alberta Party would immediately hand over leadership reigns to her so she could be their face inside and outside of the leg. And if they didn't accept the offer of a sitting high profile MLA, then that would have been it.

[Slava]

Originally Posted by killer_carlson

I don't buy it Reg.

Alberta Party, with no leg presence and limited money, couldn't have landed much of a bigger fish. They would have adjusted their policy, because the Alberta Party is desperately short on policy and someone in the leg who can actually make a difference.

If there were discussions it would have started with whether the Alberta Party would immediately hand over leadership reigns to her so she could be their face inside and outside of the leg. And if they didn't accept the offer of a sitting high profile MLA, then that would have been it.

Well and aside from Carter, I have a feeling that many Alberta Party people and potential supporters would walk if she was the leader or face of the party.

[OzSome]

Originally Posted by oilers_fan

Why wouldn't she win her riding next election? People in this province forget names, and just see the party. If she runs as a PC MLA, she will win.

It's really hard to forget her name because she's been vocal during Redford's tenure.I think switching to PC might not do her any good as she thinks. Look at what happenned to Rob Anders.. people finally got tired of his antics so he ended up losing. If I live in Danielle Smith I wouldn't vote for her even she is a PC. I never like her and have no idea why Wildrose Party keeps her as a party leader in the past few years. She always seek attentions with her fake smile in a wrong way.

[FireFly]

So this happened....

http://www.gofundme.com/j320f0

[PsYcNeT]

Originally Posted by FireFly

So this happened....

http://www.gofundme.com/j320f0

"Hi I decided to support a party based on libertarian fundamentals that was perverted into a socially conservative love-in.

Hilariously, please give me free money."

The irony is delicious.

[Jacks]

Originally Posted by FireFly

So this happened....

http://www.gofundme.com/j320f0

Looks like Brian Mason donated $500, good on him.

[Kjesse]

Originally Posted by Jacks

Looks like Brian Mason donated $500, good on him.

I'll never be an NDPer, but he has always been a stand up guy who sets an example for all politicians. Problem being, no politician follows that example.

If the NDP loosened their ties from labour... and I mean, keeping the unions from the direct control they now have, I think the NDP would gain more from this recent event as the red tories will shy away from the PC's. Notley also looks like a good leader.

[SebC]

Originally Posted by Reggie Dunlop

I have it on pretty good authority that Danielle Smith initially wanted to jump to the Alberta Party, but was rebuffed as their floor-crossing policy requires a cooling off period whereby the applicant has to sit as an independent first.

I saw the bolded reported in the news as well.

[RougeUnderoos]

She's on CBC right now, and she arrived too late for makeup.

[Minnie]

She looks frazzled and stressed. Gee, can't imagine why.

Saw this a few minutes ago.

[Reggie Dunlop]

Originally Posted by SebC

I saw the bolded reported in the news as well.

I have an impeccable source.

At any rate, in Smith's case, it was feelers that were sent out through informal channels.

[FlamesAllTheWay]

Originally Posted by Reggie Dunlop

I have it on pretty good authority that Danielle Smith initially wanted to jump to the Alberta Party, but was rebuffed as their floor-crossing policy requires a cooling off period whereby the applicant has to sit as an independent.

Gotta admire them sticking to their principles turning away a high profile individual like that. Not to mention whoever else might have been coming with her.

How would that have even worked though? All of the sudden the Alberta Party might have become the official opposition, who's leader was just defeated in a by-election and not sitting the legislature.

Perhaps that might have factored into the decision To reject her as well? Sort of a takeover of the Alberta Party by some ex-Wild Rose members...

[Reggie Dunlop]

Originally Posted by FlamesAllTheWay

Gotta admire them sticking to their principles turning away a high profile individual like that. Not to mention whoever else might have been coming with her.

How would that have even worked though? All of the sudden the Alberta Party might have become the official opposition, who's leader was just defeated in a by-election and not sitting the legislature.

Perhaps that might have factored into the decision To reject her as well? Sort of a takeover of the Alberta Party by some ex-Wild Rose members...

It's astounding how fast the Wildrose are unraveling. Heather Forsythe is widely expected to retire due to health reasons effective Jan. 1. Shayne Saskiw (along with Rob Anderson, a prime mover in the party merger) waited out his wife Shannon Stubbs nomination last night for the federal Conservative nomination in Lakeland. He's expected to move. Wildrose could be down to three members shortly. The Liberals with Hehr and Kang running federally will be down to three. That puts the NDP at four the official opposition.

Just to put this out there: Ex-Wildrose and now Independent Joe Anglin's chief of staff is a Alberta Party member (and former leader).

Like I said, crazy times. The chips are still scattered. Could be some out-of-favour PCs crossing the other way.

[Dion]

From the comments section....

It's not beyond the scope that the Alberta PCs will not be giving her the plum job she wants, mainly because it will be viewed by many as "patronage" and will reflect poorly on the Alberta PC Party.

And the backroom boys will nix it and Jim Prentice will probably go along with their suggestion. because she might be considered "high risk" (eg she may vote against a party suggestion which and scuttle a carefully-planned deal) .

So....

It's either backbencher Danielle or a change of careers.

Some have opined that there should be a byelection to seal the fate of ALL the turncoats but primarily in the High River area which Danielle represents. Or "used to represent" as Alberta Leader of the Opposition

Don't let the plastic smiles fool you.

In PR parlance, it's called "grip and grin"

There's more to it than meets the eye.

We'll find out the details later.

Albertans like their politics fair and square and the defection is like goods that have wandered onto the next feedlot, before going to auction first.

And if there are folks that know about auctions, it's Albertans.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/dani...ions-1.2879779

[oilyfan]

http://www.edmontonjournal.com/news/...093/story.html

Smith, who is facing criticism she crossed the floor for personal gain, said she was met with resistance when she tried to lead the Wildrose toward becoming a fiscally conservative, “socially mainstream” party capable of forming government.

She said the Wildrose has been losing donors, supporters, executive members and candidates after the party voted down a wide-ranging anti-discrimination policy at its annual general meeting last month.

A group had arrived at the Red Deer gathering with the expressed intent to “teach me a lesson for walking in the Gay Pride parade,” Smith said.

[Daradon]

Yeah, that isn't the scary type of social conservatism at all.

[Slava]

Originally Posted by Reggie Dunlop

It's astounding how fast the Wildrose are unraveling. Heather Forsythe is widely expected to retire due to health reasons effective Jan. 1. Shayne Saskiw (along with Rob Anderson, a prime mover in the party merger) waited out his wife Shannon Stubbs nomination last night for the federal Conservative nomination in Lakeland. He's expected to move. Wildrose could be down to three members shortly. The Liberals with Hehr and Kang running federally will be down to three. That puts the NDP at four the official opposition.

Just to put this out there: Ex-Wildrose and now Independent Joe Anglin's chief of staff is a Alberta Party member (and former leader).

Like I said, crazy times. The chips are still scattered. Could be some out-of-favour PCs crossing the other way.

At this point Hehr and King don't have to resign until the writ drops federally, or provincially. Presumably that will make the Liberals the official opposition for some period. I mean who knows where the disgruntled PC's are going to go though? They could move somewhere and make them the official opposition, or form something else I guess? My bet is that Carter is all over that because if the Alberta Party could sway a progressive conservative over (heavy on the progressive) then they're suddenly relevant.