2 Wildrose MLAs to cross to PCs

[Dion]

Originally Posted by crazy_eoj

Only smearing going on there is your smearing of Danielle Smith. How's the Gander, Goose?

If only the Wildrose could get strong leadership like Raj Sherman or whoever the leader of the other fringe party is... they could finally see some results!

If only they could eliminate the deep fractures in the party. This party will go nowhere but down if they can't agree on policies and the direction of the party. Party members are jumping ship because of it.

Smith was effective in digging up the dirt on Redford but now that Prentice is in office she needs to focus on healing her party and getting them ready for 2016.

Do I think she can do that? Nope.

[Flash Walken]

Wild Rose has to come to terms with the idea that what was was 'social conservativism' is now, depending on the issue, bigotry. You can frame your party around that, or you can excise it, but that's the optics of endorsing anything 'socially conservative'.

Social conservativism has precious little real estate left in contemporary political discussion.

[crazy_eoj]

Originally Posted by Flash Walken

Wild Rose has to come to terms with the idea that what was was 'social conservativism' is now, depending on the issue, bigotry. You can frame your party around that, or you can excise it, but that's the optics of endorsing anything 'socially conservative'.

Social conservativism has precious little real estate left in contemporary political discussion.

I'm not sure it ever had much real estate in politics, to be honest.

But I agree with you 100%, and I thought Smith was the leader to bring the Wildrose there as well. Sadly it seems that wasn't the case.

[ben voyonsdonc]

I'm still astounded by how a few by-elections could cause this party to go into such a tail spin. To me, it's the equivalent of dropping out of university because you fail a pop quiz.

I'm sure that everyone in caucus and the party, as a whole,would be more than happy if the Wildrose was riding high in the polls. Prentice is a tough opponent and the Wildrose needs to re-evaluate its messaging and its focus but they've basically folded like a cheap suit. It speaks poorly as to their ability to hold up to the rigours should they ever attain government.

[redforever]

I think one of the mistakes WR made was assuming the support they received over the last year was real. Personally I think the polls were showing more disapproval of Alison Redford than they were support of Wildrose.

And I don't think the part was going anywhere with Smith at the helm. She simply rubbed too many people the wrong way and did not seem capable of being a true leader or addressing huge issues within the party. That was shown during the last election campaign as well as during their latest convention in Red Deer. She never even showed up for the vote at their latest convention.

[SebC]

This is really weird:

“If you followed the last six months with the Wildrose, I think they’re definitely getting into ... the Liberal zone, definitely left of the Progressive Conservatives by a long shot,” Donovan told Edmonton AM host Mark Connolly on Tuesday.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmont...says-1.2849620

Liberal MLA Laurie Blakeman’s bill on gay-straight alliances in schools, always a hot poker thrust at the Wildrose camp, was becoming part of her problem.

“There’s no reason I could not have voted for that bill” after amendments, Towle said.

“But there were people telling me if I supported that bill, any part of it, I wasn’t really a Wildrose person at all. That’s not what I signed on for.”

http://calgaryherald.com/news/politi...hell-on-wheels

So, Donovan crossed because the PCs are more socially conservative, and Towle crossed because the PCs are less socially conservative. Huh?

[Dion]

Smith vows no more floor crossings

There’ll be no more floor-crossings,” the Wildrose leader said, taking reporters’ questions for the first time since MLAs Kerry Towle and Ian Donovan abruptly bolted the official Opposition on Monday to join the government backbenches.

Smith said she is confident she has the support of her remaining caucus members. She said she won’t resign from the party helm and won’t call for a leadership review.

Things got heated after Towle crossed the floor

Following the resignations, a coffee mug belonging to Towle left behind in Wildrose offices was smashed, though it’s not clear if it was intentionally broken. A photo of the broken pieces was then sent to Towle by a party staffer and shared on Twitter by former Wildrose MLA Joe Anglin, who now sits as an Independent.

Towle called the incident “hurtful.”

“I took it as a threat. I took it as a message that was supposed to be sent to me,” Towle said. “But I want to be very clear: I don’t think it was done with malice. I think emotions were high and it’s my understanding Danielle has dealt with it.”

Smith acknowledged the incident Wednesday, calling it an “incredibly inappropriate” action taken in a moment of passion.

“I understand the staff member feels very regretful for taking that action and it has been addressed internally,” Smith said.

http://www.calgaryherald.com/news/ed...724/story.html

[4X4]

Don't f*** with the Wildrose Mafia, or they'll smash your (coffee) mug.

[ben voyonsdonc]

Originally Posted by SebC

This is really weird:

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmont...says-1.2849620

http://calgaryherald.com/news/politi...hell-on-wheels

So, Donovan crossed because the PCs are more socially conservative, and Towle crossed because the PCs are less socially conservative. Huh?

It is a bit of weird mixed messaging but I think Prentice is sending a message to social conservatives that they are welcome back in the PC fold.

It would be a dagger to the Wildrose if the PCs can bring some of the social conservatives back to the PCs. Is it a risky message to send to the general population? Maybe...but what will most people remember in a few weeks? That the Wildrose lost two MLAs to the governing party. Most people will forget about what Donovan said...except maybe social conservatives. I think that PCs know this and are hoping even a small contingent of so cons move back their way to help them in more rural ridings.

[SebC]

I guess we'll know after Bill 202 goes to vote where everyone stands.

[Slava]

Rumours tonight that Rob Anderson and Shayne Saskiw are crossing the floor to join the PC's. Crazy if true.

[Reggie Dunlop]

I'm hearing that the entire Wildrose caucus is crossing the floor.

[Slava]

Well here's where that rumour comes from, I think: http://theconservativeman.wordpress....-pc-pretender/

[Reggie Dunlop]

NDP's Brian Mason and Independent MLA Joe Anglin are basically confirming the rumours on Twitter. Whether all Wildrose caucus cross to the PCs remains to be seen.

Something huge is definitely going down.

[Slava]

I think Mason is suggesting that Carter has tried to get Smith to join the Alberta Party. That seems to be their bickering, at least from what I can see.

[Bunk]

Smith wants to be Premier. I'm convinced many in the caucus and party are happy to be the NDP of the right. Fight to be right, not to win.

[4X4]

LOL. Smith will never be Premier.

[Reggie Dunlop]

Originally Posted by Slava

I think Mason is suggesting that Carter has tried to get Smith to join the Alberta Party. That seems to be their bickering, at least from what I can see.

Yeah, that part from Mason doesn't make sense...

[#-3]

Originally Posted by 4X4

LOL. Smith will never be Premier.

Couldn't agree more, the way Alberta Politics goes, there is a chance in the Future she could be elected mid-term by the politicians. But Albertans will never elect here in a general election.

[1stLand]

I've crossed the floor too.
I am voting for PC only because Prentice