Ed Stelmach: Thoughts?

[killer_carlson]

I like the guy and think he'd make a good premier but it seems as though he is getting little or no press in Calgary (based upon my online reviews of Calgary media).

What are people's thoughts on here? I know there seems to be a lot of Morton and Dinning supporters, but I'm curious to know what people think of Stelmach.

I like the fact that he handled 4 different Cabinet positions well. I like his stand on education and his willingness to review the tar sands royalty system.

I do think he needs to improve in the public speaking aspect as he struggled during the last debate. I'm interested in watching Thursday to see what happens, but I think Morton will focus hard on Dinning and Dinning is trying to proclaim that he is the only alternative to a Morton Alberta.

[Rockin' Flames]

Originally Posted by killer_carlson

I like the guy and think he'd make a good premier but it seems as though he is getting little or no press in Calgary (based upon my online reviews of Calgary media).

What are people's thoughts on here? I know there seems to be a lot of Morton and Dinning supporters, but I'm curious to know what people think of Stelmach.

I like the fact that he handled 4 different Cabinet positions well. I like his stand on education and his willingness to review the tar sands royalty system.

I do think he needs to improve in the public speaking aspect as he struggled during the last debate. I'm interested in watching Thursday to see what happens, but I think Morton will focus hard on Dinning and Dinning is trying to proclaim that he is the only alternative to a Morton Alberta.

Well I don't know a whole lot about Stelmach other than his ideas seem pretty close to Dinnings. He doesn't seem to have many details on his website concerning his ideas but I don't have as much concern about Stelmach as Dinning. I do know that I have a couple of friends who are voting for Stelmach and they seem to like him.

I am a Morton supporter but will likely be putting Stelmach as my second choice. The fact that he doesn't seem to be great at public speaking is somewhat of a concern to me because he will need to be able to hold his own when he meets with the rest of the Premiers and has to negotiate with other levels of government.

I am also looking forward to the debate on Thursday.

[Table 5]

I would be satisfied with either Stelmach or Dinning....and I think Stelmach is a bit more of a personable character out of those two. Anybody but Morton, as far as I'm concerned.

[Frequitude]

He seems to focused on pleasing everyone and not ruffling any feathers.

[Thunderball]

Originally Posted by fotze

I concur, I don't understand the big business angle with Dinning, they are conservatives, they are all gonna be in with big business. Its like hating an NDP candidate because they are an environmentalist.

Its one thing to support big business, its another thing to be considered a puppet to big business. It would be like Buzz Hargrove's best friend being the leader of the NDP. Or, to use your example... a high ranking member of Greenpeace. These would be a conflicts-of-interest for the NDP. Its one thing to be involved, its another to be considered affiliated. There's more to them than unions or the environment, and with someone so firmly in the pocket of these people... its hard to imagine he'd act in the best interests of others.

Just as with the PCs, there's more to them than kowtowing to big business... especially when it is becoming increasingly necessary to re-look royalty rates.

As for Stelmach... he's a little watered down for my liking, but I think the he's the safest option for those concern about a rift forming in the party.

[jolinar of malkshor]

Stelmach will be my second choice. He would be a much better choice than Dinning, but like was said by another poster, he is lacking on his platform. Morton would get much more done for Alberta than Stelmach.

Of those who are going to vote Stelmach for their first choice, who is going to vote Morton for their second?

[llama64]

Of all three choices, Stelmach seems the best fit for Premier. I make this distinction based on their "presence" and image in the media and from radio and TV interviews I've seen.

Dinning bugs me as a person. He's too smooth, too much of a politician for me. Just me, but I don't like overly "smooth" people . I figure Dinning will spend more time worrying about satisfying his political base rather then focusing on the problems facing Alberta. He will not take a hard line on anything, but will try to satisfy everyone at once.

Morton will be a pointless leader. He is the crazy right-winger that everyone is scared of and would just cause the rift in Canada to get even larger. If he wins, the PC's will split and all the Dinning/Stelmach/Oberg types will form a new party and within a year we will be voting the new party in and Morton out. Nothing will get done at all due to the split and the rest of Canada will continue look at Alberta like we are a bunch of half crazed prarie seperatists. The majority of us are not this.

Stelmach comes across the best to me. He's sensible, logical and seems sincere. He's got Dinning's ideas, without the "politicalness". To me, this is the guy that I want to represent Alberta at a Provincial level. He appeals to everyone, but doesn't specifically represent one segment.

Keep in mind I say all this not based on their ideas, but on how I percieve them. So, feel free to rip me apart

[jolinar of malkshor]

I don;t believe in this "PC split" idea that Jim Dinning and his supporters are throwing around. I mean Morton and Harper have had the same ideas, and we haven't seen Canada go down the ****ters since Harper came to power, quite the opposite in fact. If Morton wins, he will give some of theses nay sayers a cabinet position and they will shut up. There will be no split....but i do see the liberal opposition growing in the next election depending on what his platform is. Just my opinion.

[jolinar of malkshor]

Ed is going to be on Rutherford in about 5 mins if anyone wants to listen.

http://www.am770chqr.com/home/index.cfm

[Rockin' Flames]

Originally Posted by llama64

Dinning bugs me as a person. He's too smooth, too much of a politician for me. Just me, but I don't like overly "smooth" people . I figure Dinning will spend more time worrying about satisfying his political base rather then focusing on the problems facing Alberta. He will not take a hard line on anything, but will try to satisfy everyone at once.

Here is an interesting piece of information about Dinning from the Calgary Herald: "Jim Dinning was sending $25,000 to Paul Martin's leadership campaign and personal notes of encouragement." Here is the Link.

Article is mostly about how Morton is getting the backing of a dozen or so PC MP's. When I read this piece of information this made me even more worried about Mr. Dinnings agenda.

[jolinar of malkshor]

Originally Posted by Rockin' Flames

Here is an interesting piece of information about Dinning from the Calgary Herald: "Jim Dinning was sending $25,000 to Paul Martin's leadership campaign and personal notes of encouragement." Here is the Link.

Article is mostly about how Morton is getting the backing of a dozen or so PC MP's. When I read this piece of information this made me even more worried about Mr. Dinnings agenda.

Don't you think it is ironic that Dinning is acting just like Martin was: Wishy washy, no real policy and panting his main rival as the bogey man? mean while he is sending funds and support to Martin.

[llama64]

Originally Posted by jolinar of malkshor

Don't you think it is ironic that Dinning is acting just like Martin was: Wishy washy, no real policy and panting his main rival as the bogey man? mean while he is sending funds and support to Martin.

You just nailed what my problem was with Dinning. I don't care too much about the liberal thing, but his total wishy washy-ness drives me up the wall. If you don't like Morton, Stelmach is the only choice in my mind.

I think Klein has said the same thing... but I don't have a source for that.

[Bobblehead]

Sounds to me like the biggest question is who do Stelmach's supporters prefer? If Morton and Dinning are 1 & 2, it is Stelmach's constituency that will play kingmaker.


Edit: I'm just adding that because it sounds like Dinning and Morton supporters are putting Stelmach #2, so if Ed can make it into the top 2 on this vote he will win.

[jolinar of malkshor]

Originally Posted by Bobblehead

Sounds to me like the biggest question is who do Stelmach's supporters prefer? If Morton and Dinning are 1 & 2, it is Stelmach's constituency that will play kingmaker.


Edit: I'm just adding that because it sounds like Dinning and Morton supporters are putting Stelmach #2, so if Ed can make it into the top 2 on this vote he will win.

Your right....thats why I asked who ever is supporting Stelmach....what is your second choice. No one has said yet.

[peter12]

Originally Posted by jolinar of malkshor

Your right....thats why I asked who ever is supporting Stelmach....what is your second choice. No one has said yet.

After some deliberation, I will be supporting Morton, Stelmach will be my second choice.

I really think this is it for the PCs, they've turned into what Albertans have historically hate, a wishy-washy big tent party with no values or focus.

I'm hearing rumblings through my work of another Alberta party that will be forming from the grassroots. If Albertan history is any example at all, things will be interesting next election.

[jolinar of malkshor]

Originally Posted by peter12

After some deliberation, I will be supporting Morton, Stelmach will be my second choice.

I really think this is it for the PCs, they've turned into what Albertans have historically hate, a wishy-washy big tent party with no values or focus.

I'm hearing rumblings through my work of another Alberta party that will be forming from the grassroots. If Albertan history is any example at all, things will be interesting next election.

My wife and I will also be supporting Morton. And again....I don't buy into this "The Party is going to split" idea. I just hope enough Stelmach supporters are going to choose Morton as their second choice.

[peter12]

Originally Posted by jolinar of malkshor

My wife and I will also be supporting Morton. And again....I don't buy into this "The Party is going to split" idea. I just hope enough Stelmach supporters are going to choose Morton as their second choice.

The party isn't going to split, it's just going to wither away and be blown apart in the next election. Honestly, there is nothing more to the PCs then a bunch of career politicians and their syncophants. Dinning is the king of that crowd, Morton at least brings a new face.

[FireFly]

I think Morton was bang on when he said that the race was between him and Stelmach now... I think Stelmach wins based on Dinning supporters giving him their second choice. I'm pretty sure there won't be many Dinning supporters giving Morton their second choice.

[FireFly]

Originally Posted by jolinar of malkshor

My wife and I will also be supporting Morton. And again....I don't buy into this "The Party is going to split" idea. I just hope enough Stelmach supporters are going to choose Morton as their second choice.

As I said, it's not Stelmach supports you need to be concerned about. Stelmach will make it into the top two because most of the people who voted for the first ballot losers will end up supporting him.

Actually, I think Stelmach wins regardless of who he ends up with. Dinning supporters won't put Morton as their second, and Morton supporters won't put Dinning as their second. If Stelmach makes the top two, he's pretty much guaranteed a win.

[Rockin' Flames]

Originally Posted by FireFly

I think Morton was bang on when he said that the race was between him and Stelmach now... I think Stelmach wins based on Dinning supporters giving him their second choice. I'm pretty sure there won't be many Dinning supporters giving Morton their second choice.

I think the real question is going to come down to is how many of the supporters of Oberg and Hancock follow over to Stelmach.