Conservative Leadership Debate: Who's the Next Premier of Alberta?

[Table 5]

Is it possible to write-in vote?

[RougeUnderoos]

Originally Posted by Azure

My belief anyway...Klein wasn't very well-liked...and look at what he did for Alberta.

Klein wasn't well liked? Coulda fooled me.

Klein was the most popular politician in the country for the last 15 years.

[FireFly]

I think Stelmach wins it. I think the other two throwing out veiled barbs at each other may turn off the swing voters. Stelmach wins on the second choice.

[flamingchina]

hmm perhaps its the certain group of people that hated kKein hate Morton as well? therefore, Morton = good?

[JiriHrdina]

Originally Posted by FireFly

I think Stelmach wins it. I think the other two throwing out veiled barbs at each other may turn off the swing voters. Stelmach wins on the second choice.

If Stelmach gets in the top 2 he'll win it I think because there are a lot more Anti-Morton or Anti-Dinning people than there are Anti-Ed folks. So when it comes to marking their 2nd choice, Ed will pick up a lot.

For that reason alone I think he could actually get in there.

[Azure]

Originally Posted by RougeUnderoos

Klein wasn't well liked? Coulda fooled me.

Klein was the most popular politician in the country for the last 15 years.

Especially amongst the liberals, who for the most part..held power while Klein was Premier.

[Azure]

Originally Posted by Agamemnon

I've heard as many people slag Dinning as Morton, especially on this website. I don't see Dinning as a shoe-in right now, and the polls last weekend certainly didn't show him as the 'for certain' next Premier. If you want to vote for someone who is hated, I don't see why Morton takes the cake over Dinning. They're both hated by the other's supporters. I don't see Mortan as the outright underdog at this moment, I think all 3 have a very real shot at winning.

I'm talking about a year ago...when it was first mentioned that Klein would be stepping down.

Dinning was certainly the front-runner at that time.

[peter12]

Originally Posted by Kipper is King

They already had one! His name was Ralph Klien. He abused homeless people, got **** drunk, and let our hospitals and schools fall into de-kline!

His popular support was always high enough. Face it, Ralph was a man of the people.

[I-Hate-Hulse]

I thought the rather loaded question sent Morton's way questioning how much he'd impress his personal views on Albertans was valid. Quite frankly, that's what people want to know about you Ted.

What's the deal with a provincial police force? I just don't see the need to have our own. Have Albertans lost faith in the RCMP? If not, why spend the tens of millions in creating our own police force? Just to say we have our own? Wouldn't that money be better spent on other things?

Ted also seemed rather naive when it came to ensuring that doctors would stay in rural centers rather than move to the urban areas to collect the big bucks under his proposed 2 tiered system. Good luck doing that without imposing wickedly restrictive residency programs that send scare medical talent fleeing for the other provinces and the US.

Not that Dinning was great. Yes, Jim, you're a party of inclusion. Got you the 1st 5 times you mentioned that. And ditch the combover.

Ed - Seems like a good guy but really lacks the charisma to be a leader. Would be a good go-to guy for a premier, but not to run a ship on his own.

[Superfraggle]

Originally Posted by Table 5

Is it possible to write-in vote?

Rory Fitzpatrick for Premier!!!

[Agamemnon]

Originally Posted by Azure

I'm talking about a year ago...when it was first mentioned that Klein would be stepping down.

Dinning was certainly the front-runner at that time.

So you're voting for Morton because people hated him a year ago?

[mykalberta]

Amazing how someone could think Stelmach won the debate by a mile where as I think he should never debate in his political life ever again.

I thought Stelmach would be Alberta's version of Australia's John Howard but he is more like Alberta's version of some spineless weasel who doenst stand for anything - In a race to become the biggest spineless weasel I thought Dinning had it locked up until I heard Stelmach - what an embarassment to Albertan's everywhere - he is one of those classic Klien farmers who wouldn't have shoveled and shut up.

Morton easily looked the best with Dinning a close Second and Stelmach was just their for the ride, Dinning is such a gutless Bob Rae wannabee Liberal who knows the Liberals dont have a chance so he joined the PC party that it makes me sick but he would probably do an ok job.

If Morton wasnt so dead set against prosperity cheques I would probably vote for him if I had a vote.

Dinning would probably best represent Alberta in the rest of Canada's media.

I hope to hell Stelmach doesnt win because he would be an embarassment. He might have a good head on him, good ideas, and a good policy but leadership in y2006+ is more than about good ideas - and a platapus looking whino CANNOT be the Premier of the best province in the Canada.

There is an obvious coalition against Morton - he either wins on the first ballot ot Dinning wins. Why any one would vote for Stelmach after that debate would be beyond me.

How can Edmonton not have a single candidate to make it past the first round - there are serious issues in Edmonton that need to be addressed via an Edmonton mafia - refinery income not going to the County of Strathcona is one in particular.

MYK

[mykalberta]

Originally Posted by I-Hate-Hulse

I thought the rather loaded question sent Morton's way questioning how much he'd impress his personal views on Albertans was valid. Quite frankly, that's what people want to know about you Ted.

What's the deal with a provincial police force? I just don't see the need to have our own. Have Albertans lost faith in the RCMP? If not, why spend the tens of millions in creating our own police force? Just to say we have our own? Wouldn't that money be better spent on other things?

Ted also seemed rather naive when it came to ensuring that doctors would stay in rural centers rather than move to the urban areas to collect the big bucks under his proposed 2 tiered system. Good luck doing that without imposing wickedly restrictive residency programs that send scare medical talent fleeing for the other provinces and the US.

Not that Dinning was great. Yes, Jim, you're a party of inclusion. Got you the 1st 5 times you mentioned that. And ditch the combover.

Ed - Seems like a good guy but really lacks the charisma to be a leader. Would be a good go-to guy for a premier, but not to run a ship on his own.

I agree that some of Morton's policies are a little on the coooooky side.

On the 2 teir system though I have always wondered why people are so concerned about the Rural hospitals.

Of course there will be no private clinics in a place like Medicine hat - its to expensive but that is why its called TWO TEIR. So long as their isnt queue jumping and they use the private sector as just another distribution method - I dont have a problem with it.

I was having a debate with a guy at work about that same thing. Here is my thoguht on 2 teir.

Right now in hospitals the average of RN to LPN is about 1:1.5

In a private clinic that lets say handles broken bones, why would you not beable to increase that ration to 1:5 - where the RN is the supervisor/manager (not alot different than what is happening right now) with the LPN doing the bulk of the manual labour.

Current max wages for RN are apporx $42.50
Current max wages for LPN are approx $23

A 2 teir system also does alot to solve the militant public unions that exist currently. Private facilites employees wouldnt be apart of the same union or any union.

MYK

[MacDougalbry]

I missed out on the debate last night, but Stelmach had a lengthy interview on CBC yesterday and I can't say I was all that impressed. In fact, I changed the station a few times because I had to take a break from listening to the guy talk. At one point he was saying how he was going to diversify the economy away from oil and when he was asked how he spewed out a bunch of gobbledy**** without actually saying anything. But, apparently, it's really easy to diversify an economy. (After all, that's why, after 20 years of trying to diversify its economy, Saskatchewan is such a manufacturing and technology powerhouse.) Lots of vague statements that work good as sound bites but don't really mean anything...


Take, for example, the following policy statement on health care from his web site:

I envision a health care system that is efficient from the patient’s perspective. An efficient health system doesn’t mean only saving money. We must be focused on the patient and put their needs first. Government must work with health regions and health care professionals to find solutions together and develop incentives that improve the system and improve the health outcomes for Albertans. I believe we have the answers.

Our health care professionals are knowledgeable, dedicated, motivated and most importantly, care deeply about meeting the health care needs of patients. We have seen successes, with the Hip and Knee projects, with the primary care centres and soon, with an expanded scope of practice for more health care professionals. There is still work to be done, however, I believe our publicly funded system is up to the challenge

We must have an efficient health care system and work together to find solutions! Why didn't I think of that?!

[MacDougalbry]

Apparently, gobbledy**** is an obscene word.

[I-Hate-Hulse]

Originally Posted by mykalberta

Of course there will be no private clinics in a place like Medicine hat - its to expensive but that is why its called TWO TEIR. So long as their isnt queue jumping and they use the private sector as just another distribution method - I dont have a problem with it.

Yes but in rural areas with their ONE obligatory South African Doctor, they stand a good chance to lose that one doctor to the bright lights, big city, big dollars clinics. Then they're left with a NO -tier health care system in their local area. I suppose some doc could setup their own private GP in a rural center but Ted kept promising us we wouldn't pay more from our pockets right? Uh huh....

Originally Posted by mykalberta

In a private clinic that lets say handles broken bones, why would you not beable to increase that ration to 1:5 - where the RN is the supervisor/manager (not alot different than what is happening right now) with the LPN doing the bulk of the manual labour.

Current max wages for RN are apporx $42.50
Current max wages for LPN are approx $23

A 2 teir system also does alot to solve the militant public unions that exist currently. Private facilites employees wouldnt be apart of the same union or any union.

That depends on the treatment in question - minor outpatient procedures perhaps, but in a cardiac ward, I want the best experienced and trained nurse standing watch. That said, your RN/LPN ratios could also be applied to the public health care model with similar savings, if it weren't for the nice folks at the United Nurses of Alberta.

[Claeren]

Originally Posted by mykalberta

If Morton wasnt so dead set against prosperity cheques I would probably vote for him if I had a vote.

Funny... that is the ONE part of his platform i support!

Right now in hospitals the average of RN to LPN is about 1:1.5

In a private clinic that lets say handles broken bones, why would you not beable to increase that ration to 1:5 - where the RN is the supervisor/manager (not alot different than what is happening right now) with the LPN doing the bulk of the manual labour.

Current max wages for RN are apporx $42.50
Current max wages for LPN are approx $23

A 2 teir system also does alot to solve the militant public unions that exist currently. Private facilites employees wouldnt be apart of the same union or any union.

That is incrediably naive thinking. (Coming from someone who has spent the last 8 years of their life working in the Calgary Health Region.)

It is just not that easy.

If it was that easy America would spend less on health care then Canada - but in fact their costs are escalating like ours, are higher then ours, and in fact are amongst the highest in the developed world.




Claeren.

[North East Goon]

Anyone think Bronco Bronconnier can come in next prov. election and beat any of these three, even though he is the dreaded Liberal? I personally think he can!

[Bertuzzied]

Originally Posted by North East Goon

Anyone think Bronco Bronconnier can come in next prov. election and beat any of these three, even though he is the dreaded Liberal? I personally think he can!

Of course he can. If he can buy himself the Mayor's seat, he can buy the Premiership. He is the king of election spending! hehe

Bronco is useless.

[North East Goon]

Hey dont get me wrong, I personally am not a Bronco fan. He has the BS/ charisma thing going on though, that like it or not can win elections.