Some random thoughts about the election.
1) jjgallow - I really wish he'd come back to Calgarypuck to see his viewpoint... Oh wait he's probably on the next flight back to BC with the rest of the Hawk-bots. (Sorry, but I'm still in awe of how badly Bob misjudged his team's tactics and what it has done for an entire generation of new voters who will never understand his great service to the city)
2) I'm still in awe of Nenshi's win. I joined the initial campaign to get Nenshi to run, because I thought it would be interesting to see him run and what he'd bring. But I honestly didn't believe he had a chance (until the last couple of weeks when his momentum appeared to be skyrocketing).
3) I have garnished more respect for McIvor than I thought I ever would. I was an avid ABM backer coming into the election, but towards the end I came to respect him. I still don't think he would have been the best mayor for the city, but I don't think he would have destroyed city council and Calgary wouldn't have fallen apart.
As someone who works with small businesses and the growing tech community, I'm excited to see what Nenshi brings to the table and hopefully that this new council will really start to grow a stronger pull for the "creative" industries.
4) Here's an interesting read from DJ Kelly on the new look council and what roles we might see for some alderman under Nenshi -
http://calgarypolitics.com/2010/10/1...r-new-council/. It's all hypothetical, but it is interesting nonetheless. I think Carra is going to be a wildcard for the next three years.
5) I find it intresting that with all the real focus on how real change was coming to Calgary, most of the controversial incumbents retained their seats. IMO, the focus on the mayoral race is what probably saved the arses of most returning alderman. Shifting the focus away from hotly contested ward races and solely on the mayoral race.
6) Interesting to see the reactions on CP. I don't blame anyone for being furious or frustrated with the results. I know if the tables had turned and Barb Higgins would have won, I would be just as furious and agitated.
But, I also don't think that we're going to see a massive backlash against Nenshi in the 2013 election. I have a feeling that he'll be around for a few terms. It's going to take something colossal for Nenshi to screw-up on to get him trounced in the next election and I don't see anything like that from his demenior or policies. We won't be seeing Barb of McIvor running again, so unless someone comes in with more persona than Nenshi (which is really quite possible), I just don't see it happening. After all we're still talking civic politics and for the most part, it's always been an extension of High School politics - were popularity and name recognition are more important than platforms.
7) Reading the online commentary in the Sun is fascinating.
I hate to say this, but the Sun took a risk endorsing Nenshi and it is showing in the online comments of their readership.
The comments regarding Mosque being built downtown are mind-numbingly painful to read.
8) Still confused on why Keith Fawcett thinking?
http://communities.canada.com/calgar...ut-nenshi.aspx
I understand that all citizens have a right to an opinion, but as an elected official he really needed to take a step back and think that one through. Talk about garnishing publicity for all the wrong reasons.
Especially given the strong ties between Civic and Provincial governments.
9) I think we saw two great examples of how to run and how to ruin a campaign. On the one hand Nenshi's campaign is going to be a case study on how to create political engagement and on the other hand Barb's campaign will be a case study on the futility of a conservative one-way conversation with the electorate.
Given the potential she had coming into this campaign, I'm still in awe at how many horrible decisions she (or her handlers) made.