April 23 2012: Alberta Provincial Election

[SebC]

Originally Posted by Slava

There is a little bit of truth to that.

Yeah, but only a little.

[VladtheImpaler]

OK, First Lady, I've donated money. What sort of sinecure can I expect upon your electoral victory?

[killer_carlson]

Originally Posted by transplant99

No question about it IMO. Just looking at all the polls and recent trends, WR is a lock to demolish the PC's in Calgary.

If the WR can make any kind of upward trend in Edmonton...then they will have an easy majority if everything else stays status quo.

Up here in Edmonton they are having a tough time making inroads.

The salary freeze on government, teachers, and nurses affects many families up here. Those people are quite outspoken about the wild rose. Plus the Edmonton journal editorials ask if smith dislikes Edmonton and are very quick to pick out wild rose mistakes while excusing pc errors.

I think they might squeeze a few seats, but the majority will go pc, lib or ndp.

[Slava]

Originally Posted by VladtheImpaler

OK, First Lady, I've donated money. What sort of sinecure can I expect upon your electoral victory?

Maybe some real estate investment opportunities with Happy Mann?
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/albert...n-lawsuit.html

[VladtheImpaler]

Originally Posted by Slava

Maybe some real estate investment opportunities with Happy Mann?
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/albert...n-lawsuit.html

I was think more along the lines of something cushy at Liquor & Gaming where I can make some cash on the side selling licenses...

[Slava]

Originally Posted by VladtheImpaler

I was think more along the lines of something cushy at Liquor & Gaming where I can make some cash on the side selling licenses...

Can you sell me a license to have a distillery in that case? That would be awesome! I might even vote Wildrose if I could arrange that!

[VladtheImpaler]

Originally Posted by Slava

Can you sell me a license to have a distillery in that case? That would be awesome! I might even vote Wildrose if I could arrange that!

Well, first Wildrose must win. Second, my generous contribution must be appropriately rewarded with a position of authority at L&G. Then... the magic begins. And before you know it, Slava Vodka is the only vodka licensed to be sold in Alberta...

[Regular_John]

Saw my local PC Candiate at the Canyon Meadows train station this morning, I was tempted to stop and ask specifically about the nanny .05 law, but decided to continue on with my day instead. Either way, nice to see some actual campaigning happening beyond dropping stuff in my mailbox or littering the landscape with signs.

[First Lady]

Originally Posted by Rathji

So is the Wild Rose Candidate in every riding blatantly ignoring the sign bylaws or it is just in Calgary-Hays? I am shocked beyond belief that Ric isn't doing the same thing, as him and Barb were one of the worst offenders during the Civic election.

I've been pretty limited to my home area and route to work (which is Deerfoot) so I can only speak to local goings on. There are several violations by nearly all candidates. Signs in parks, signs on metal stakes on public property, signs on banned roadways (16 ave, Centre St, etc.)

I like to think the WR team in Klein has the fewest violations. I know his official agent read the sign crew the riot act...

Originally Posted by VladtheImpaler

Well, first Wildrose must win. Second, my generous contribution must be appropriately rewarded with a position of authority at L&G. Then... the magic begins. And before you know it, Slava Vodka is the only vodka licensed to be sold in Alberta...

Sorry all I can offer is our sincere thanks.

Slava Vodka does have a nice ring to it though.

[Jacks]

Originally Posted by Slava

Can you sell me a license to have a distillery in that case? That would be awesome! I might even vote Wildrose if I could arrange that!

So we know you can be bought and now just need to haggle over the price

[Rathji]

Originally Posted by First Lady

I've been pretty limited to my home area and route to work (which is Deerfoot) so I can only speak to local goings on. There are several violations by nearly all candidates. Signs in parks, signs on metal stakes on public property, signs on banned roadways (16 ave, Centre St, etc.)

I like to think the WR team in Klein has the fewest violations. I know his official agent read the sign crew the riot act...



Sorry all I can offer is our sincere thanks.

Slava Vodka does have a nice ring to it though.

And maybe I am just tainted because the giant sign placed right on the Mackenzie Towne Traffic circle every time I drive out.

You are right though, there are almost always 'offenders' from every party. I don't think my post reflected that since I was targeting the one candidate that I could see that had really bugged me.

[Jacks]

Originally Posted by Slava

There is a little bit of truth to that. Danielle Smith spent the past two years traveling the province and meeting with people. Not that she was starting her campaign at that point, but she wasn't sitting around waiting for the writ to drop! Thats something I can respect and commend. I always hated how opposition parties waited for the writ to drop to start doing anything.

Plus Redford wasn't at that much of a disadvantage, their campaign started the moment she won the leadership. She had the advantage of lots of government cash to promote her platform (budget) prior to the writ drop. The airwaves were plastered with her face "brought to you by the Government of Alberta" for quite awhile there.

[First Lady]

Originally Posted by Rathji

And maybe I am just tainted because the giant sign placed right on the Mackenzie Towne Traffic circle every time I drive out.

You are right though, there are almost always 'offenders' from every party. I don't think my post reflected that since I was targeting the one candidate that I could see that had really bugged me.

Yeah, I understand. And yes, centre meridians are off bounds too.

You could call 311 and report to by-law; but really the faster route would be to call the campaign in question.

By-law action takes about 7 days (can be longer during election) I know some candidates are very aware of this and will blatantly and excessively violate them in final week of campaign.

[Slava]

Originally Posted by Jacks

Plus Redford wasn't at that much of a disadvantage, their campaign started the moment she won the leadership. She had the advantage of lots of government cash to promote her platform (budget) prior to the writ drop. The airwaves were plastered with her face "brought to you by the Government of Alberta" for quite awhile there.

While that is true, there is a bigger advantage to actually getting out and looking people in the eye than there is with radio ads or TV ads. Not saying that you don't need this (you need everything), but its not nearly as effective as standing on someones door step.

Besides, the WRA has/had lots of money. They have more than any other opposition has in decades in the province, so that advantage is pretty easily nullified.

[East Coast Flame]

I'm in Kent Hehr's riding and I haven't seen a single sign or pamphlet for any other candidate. Granted, I'm a big fan of his and I doubt he would lose anyways, but are the other parties just not even bothering going against him?

[First Lady]

Originally Posted by Jacks

Plus Redford wasn't at that much of a disadvantage, their campaign started the moment she won the leadership. She had the advantage of lots of government cash to promote her platform (budget) prior to the writ drop. The airwaves were plastered with her face "brought to you by the Government of Alberta" for quite awhile there.

Don't forget the months of the leadership race too. They basically shut down the Leg so they could have their race.

[MarchHare]

Originally Posted by East Coast Flame

I'm in Kent Hehr's riding and I haven't seen a single sign or pamphlet for any other candidate. Granted, I'm a big fan of his and I doubt he would lose anyways, but are the other parties just not even bothering going against him?

Adding my own personal anecdotal data...

I also live in Calgary-Buffalo, and the only signs I've seen around my Beltline neighbourhood have been Hehr's. I have received pamphlets in the mail from the Liberals and PCs. I have not seen any signs or received any campaign literature promoting either the NDP or Wild Rose candidates in my riding.

[Slava]

Originally Posted by East Coast Flame

I'm in Kent Hehr's riding and I haven't seen a single sign or pamphlet for any other candidate. Granted, I'm a big fan of his and I doubt he would lose anyways, but are the other parties just not even bothering going against him?

Originally Posted by MarchHare

Adding my own personal anecdotal data...

I also live in Calgary-Buffalo, and the only signs I've seen around my Beltline neighbourhood have been Hehr's. I have received pamphlets in the mail from the Liberals and PCs. I have not seen any signs or received any campaign literature promoting either the NDP or Wild Rose candidates in my riding.

Well Kent has been working very hard to be re-elected. We had billboards up last summer and he has been door-knocking for months now. By comparison the PC candidate was appointed as they failed to find someone to run there. The Wildrose candidate doesn't have an office in the riding and I'm not sure how strong their presence is downtown in general. The Alberta Party nominated a candidate at the last minute (basically) and the NDP is likely in the same boat.

We're well aware that Kent has to win the riding and have known that for a long time. While a year or so ago we were concerned about the potential rise of the Alberta party that seems to be a non-factor for the most part. Kent is well liked by MLAs on both sides of the legislature, and that probably helps as well; it might be different if he were a radical on either side of the aisle.

I think that FL would agree that as an opposition candidate you either work really hard and take nothing for granted, or you can expect a rough ride at the ballot box!

[zuluking]

Originally Posted by Slava

Ya who knows. I just wanted to post the possibility for a little laugh for myself. I should've waited for either zuluking or crazy joe to be here though. I have a feeling that would've been amusing.

I think it will end up closer than this in the end, and the seat distribution is another question. At the same time the PCs seem listless...although in my riding their candidate has a lot more signs on private property than the Wildrose.

Damn! Missed the party...

[mykalberta]

I have to say I am thinking of not voting this time.

WRA had my vote until the disgusting $300/person pledge.

I already have a governing party that cant see 2 feet in front of their face, I dont want to replace that for another one in different colors.