It seems as though i'm being called out by a few of my more Liberal readers. Some may wonder if my silence thus far today meant I had nothing to say. To them I simply offer that they obviously don't know me that well ;)
This issue i'm being called out for comment on is the supposedly startling revelation that an order-in-council was passed before the election that would have the new lobbying rules come into effect on April 1st. The proposed changes would see the minimum cooling off period for potential lobbyists increase from 6 months to 1 year. The Liberals, naturally, have raised a holy stink about this.
You may all be surprised to think that this really isn't a big deal. Not because i'm a "tory insider" would stands to benefit, but because I really think that raising a battle cry over a 6 month difference is like splitting hairs.
I do find it interesting that some Liberals balk about former government folks lobbying for private auto insurance and the oil companies. We all know that the Liberals aren't too keen on either of these industries, but do they ever consider that other sectors lobby government? Education, the Arts, and a plethora of other causes find reason to lobby government... gonna go after them too? Of course not. Its more evidence of these Liberal double-standards that clearly identify the sectors that they're going after in this campaign.
Mind you, it may all have been an attempt at a clever diversion from Taft's latest campaign blunder. That's right folks... the Liberal redbook for Alberta is so bad that even the Leader didn't bother reading it.
Speaking of redbooks that aren't worth reading, Jean Chretien was in Edmonton today. He told a crowd at the U of A (including, i'm sure, quite a few friendly provincial Liberals) that Alberta should share more of its wealth with the rest of Canada.
Perhaps Chretien forgets that Alberta already sends more oil revenue to Ottawa than we keep in our own coffers. And perhaps Chretien also forgets that we might not need to be propping up so many other provinces if his government had actually done some proactive things to help supplement and eventually replace aging industries (Ontario, this means you).
When asked, Chretien also said he got along well with former Premier Ralph Klein until "we had a problem on Kyoto". I can only assume that the problem was that his government signed the treaty and then proceeded to do nothing on the file while simultaneously failing to address the ramifications that would have been thrust upon the nation's most successful economy.
Still, Chretien's visit serves as an important reminder for Albertans.
Liberals are Liberals.
They can dress themselves up differently, throw up prefixes on the party name, and ramble on about being separate from their federal counterparts, but they're the same. They share volunteers, donors, and ideas.
Liberals are Liberals, folks. And in recent history, that hasn't been very good for Alberta.
Thursday, February 7, 2008
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
Half-measures and Double-standards
While Premier Stelmach was busy proposing sensible policies that will help some of the most vulnerable people in our society, Kevin Taft and the Gang That Couldn't Shoot Straight were busy trying to play policy twister with two left feet.
This morning in Calgary, Taft and Dave Taylor found themselves once again harping on about rent controls. Comrades Taft and Taylor propose a two-year cap on rent hikes of 10% a year, then, as Taylor says, they'd get rid of the program.
So exactly what are they going to do when their program ends and landlords start raising rents again to make up for the 2-year cap?
My personal theory is that after 2 years of a Liberal government (shudder), the demand for housing in Alberta would be drastically lower than it is today. Perhaps the Liberals have started to realize this... but I doubt it.
Seriously though, there are plenty of tools to deal with skyrocketing rents without resorting to such drastic interventionism... particularily when, as the Liberals propose, the interventionist measures are repealed causing the market to undergo an adjustment even more drastic than the current increases.
Moving north, Taft rolled on up to Edmonton this afternoon to talk about items in his Capital City manifesto... er... agenda.
Among his proposals is an item that would bring 500 new faculty members and 2500 new Graduate students to the University of Alberta.
Not a bad idea, admittedly. But, given the Liberal harping about the Premier's proposals to graduate more students in the medical and health science fields, isn't it a bit hypocritical to then go and announce an even bigger boost?
This morning in Calgary, Taft and Dave Taylor found themselves once again harping on about rent controls. Comrades Taft and Taylor propose a two-year cap on rent hikes of 10% a year, then, as Taylor says, they'd get rid of the program.
So exactly what are they going to do when their program ends and landlords start raising rents again to make up for the 2-year cap?
My personal theory is that after 2 years of a Liberal government (shudder), the demand for housing in Alberta would be drastically lower than it is today. Perhaps the Liberals have started to realize this... but I doubt it.
Seriously though, there are plenty of tools to deal with skyrocketing rents without resorting to such drastic interventionism... particularily when, as the Liberals propose, the interventionist measures are repealed causing the market to undergo an adjustment even more drastic than the current increases.
Moving north, Taft rolled on up to Edmonton this afternoon to talk about items in his Capital City manifesto... er... agenda.
Among his proposals is an item that would bring 500 new faculty members and 2500 new Graduate students to the University of Alberta.
Not a bad idea, admittedly. But, given the Liberal harping about the Premier's proposals to graduate more students in the medical and health science fields, isn't it a bit hypocritical to then go and announce an even bigger boost?
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
Random thoughts from Day 1
GETTING THINGS DONE
Shameless theft of federal campaign slogans aside, it was nice to see the Premier start the campaign off on the right track with a major announcement on Health Care.
This announcement builds on the recent announcement of major investments in health sciences research in Alberta. This is clearly a priority for the Premier and our party. Given that Albertans continue to rate health care as a top concern, I suspect they'll be pleased with the PC's committment and forward-thinking on this issue.
MEANWHILE IN "MAYBE WE SHOULD GET WORKING ON THAT" LAND
Liberal Leader Kevin Taft today announced that he would change the resource royalty formula to go easier on natural gas producers and harder on the oilsands. We all know that Kevin Taft and the Liberals want to re-increase royalties, but this new scheme seems confusing. So confusing, in fact, that even Kevin himself admits he doesn't really know how to tweak royalties to his satisfaction.
He also suggests that the lower rates for natural gas companies would only be "until the storm passes" and that "it means going a little harder on the oilsands". These would be the same oilsands that are already in the process of renegotiating their royalties.
And what of these temporary lower rates for gas producers? Who decides when the "storm" passes? What will their rates become when said storm passes? This seems to breed uncertainty and is particularily ironic given that he announced it as part of the Liberals' "Calgary Agenda"... a city that places some importance in stability and predictability in the oil and gas business.
JUST WHEN I THOUGHT HE HAD GONE AWAY...
... Graham Thomson comes storming back with his column for Team Red in the Edmonton Journal. In a column entitled "Tories stumble out of the starting gate", Graham starts off by remarking that the Tories inadvertently created controversy by calling the election on the 3rd anniversary of the tragedy at Mayerthorpe.
Controversy, that is, in the eyes of certain media types. Real people, including the Mayor of Mayerthorpe, don't think its an issue.
Conveniently, he forgets about the disastrous start that the Liberals had. Perhaps that wasn't in the memo from the Liberal war room/phone booth.
Either way, its awfully early to be grasping at straws.
AL GORE INVENTED IT... YOU'D THINK LIBERALS WOULD BE BETTER AT IT
Dan Arnold over at the Calgary Grit takes a shot at the PC's internet game because a spokesperson couldn't remember the term "social networking" off the top of her head.
If I were the Liberals, I would be less worried about a spokesperson's web-savvy and more concerned about their own lacklustre website.
The election has now been on for well over 24 hours and we've seen only a minor change in the layout of the Liberal's homepage.
They're still missing info on some of their candidates. Hard to make an informed choice with no information, don't ya think?
The pictures across the top change every time the page is refreshed and don't identify the caucus members' whose photos come up on the banner. Last time I checked, candidate photos aren't on the ballot.
They seem to rely heavily on youtube videos of Kevin Taft... as if hearing Kevin speak is going to inspire voters to mark a ballot for the Liberals.
And the scheme is generally uninspiring and particularily sad since Brian Mason and the NDP have managed to come up with something MUCH better.
I, of course, am very impressed with the PC Alberta campaign website. The clean, modern look, the plethora of easily-navigable information, and the connections to the aforementioned social networking are signs that this isn't your parents' PC campaign anymore.
Incidentally, i've also been impressed with a number of individual PC candidates' websites. Namely, the websites for Rob Anderson (Airdrie-Chestermere), Wendy Andrews (Edmonton Riverview), Kyle Fawcett (Calgary North Hill), Diana McQueen (Drayton Valley-Calmar), Raj Sherman (Edmonton Meadowlark), Greg Weadick (Lethbridge West) all caught my eye for one reason or another.
Shameless theft of federal campaign slogans aside, it was nice to see the Premier start the campaign off on the right track with a major announcement on Health Care.
This announcement builds on the recent announcement of major investments in health sciences research in Alberta. This is clearly a priority for the Premier and our party. Given that Albertans continue to rate health care as a top concern, I suspect they'll be pleased with the PC's committment and forward-thinking on this issue.
MEANWHILE IN "MAYBE WE SHOULD GET WORKING ON THAT" LAND
Liberal Leader Kevin Taft today announced that he would change the resource royalty formula to go easier on natural gas producers and harder on the oilsands. We all know that Kevin Taft and the Liberals want to re-increase royalties, but this new scheme seems confusing. So confusing, in fact, that even Kevin himself admits he doesn't really know how to tweak royalties to his satisfaction.
He also suggests that the lower rates for natural gas companies would only be "until the storm passes" and that "it means going a little harder on the oilsands". These would be the same oilsands that are already in the process of renegotiating their royalties.
And what of these temporary lower rates for gas producers? Who decides when the "storm" passes? What will their rates become when said storm passes? This seems to breed uncertainty and is particularily ironic given that he announced it as part of the Liberals' "Calgary Agenda"... a city that places some importance in stability and predictability in the oil and gas business.
JUST WHEN I THOUGHT HE HAD GONE AWAY...
... Graham Thomson comes storming back with his column for Team Red in the Edmonton Journal. In a column entitled "Tories stumble out of the starting gate", Graham starts off by remarking that the Tories inadvertently created controversy by calling the election on the 3rd anniversary of the tragedy at Mayerthorpe.
Controversy, that is, in the eyes of certain media types. Real people, including the Mayor of Mayerthorpe, don't think its an issue.
Conveniently, he forgets about the disastrous start that the Liberals had. Perhaps that wasn't in the memo from the Liberal war room/phone booth.
Either way, its awfully early to be grasping at straws.
AL GORE INVENTED IT... YOU'D THINK LIBERALS WOULD BE BETTER AT IT
Dan Arnold over at the Calgary Grit takes a shot at the PC's internet game because a spokesperson couldn't remember the term "social networking" off the top of her head.
If I were the Liberals, I would be less worried about a spokesperson's web-savvy and more concerned about their own lacklustre website.
The election has now been on for well over 24 hours and we've seen only a minor change in the layout of the Liberal's homepage.
They're still missing info on some of their candidates. Hard to make an informed choice with no information, don't ya think?
The pictures across the top change every time the page is refreshed and don't identify the caucus members' whose photos come up on the banner. Last time I checked, candidate photos aren't on the ballot.
They seem to rely heavily on youtube videos of Kevin Taft... as if hearing Kevin speak is going to inspire voters to mark a ballot for the Liberals.
And the scheme is generally uninspiring and particularily sad since Brian Mason and the NDP have managed to come up with something MUCH better.
I, of course, am very impressed with the PC Alberta campaign website. The clean, modern look, the plethora of easily-navigable information, and the connections to the aforementioned social networking are signs that this isn't your parents' PC campaign anymore.
Incidentally, i've also been impressed with a number of individual PC candidates' websites. Namely, the websites for Rob Anderson (Airdrie-Chestermere), Wendy Andrews (Edmonton Riverview), Kyle Fawcett (Calgary North Hill), Diana McQueen (Drayton Valley-Calmar), Raj Sherman (Edmonton Meadowlark), Greg Weadick (Lethbridge West) all caught my eye for one reason or another.
Late additions
There was an attempt from the Liberals to make political hay yesterday with the fact that two ridings were still missing PC candidates.
Nobody noticed because they were wrong.
The Premier appointed candidates to fill gaps in Edmonton Strathcona and Calgary Montrose. I'm particularily pleased not only because he chose two people under 30 which highlights the diversity of the PC team, but also because I know both of these fine appointees.
T.J. Keil, who was unsuccessful in his bid for the nomination in Highlands-Norwood, gets to fly the party colours in Edmonton Strathcona. As I've said before, T.J. is an outstanding young conservative with limitless energy. As a recent U of A grad, he's sure to bring a different perspective on an important issue for the voters in his constituency. Edmonton Strathcona is traditionally a three-way race and home to a Conservative MP. That T.J. has the Premier's confidence is a testament to both his abilities and his future in our party.
Down in Calgary Montrose, I was thrilled to see my friend Manmeet Bhullar chosen to carry the torch. There's no question that there has been some upheaval in the Montrose organisation. To mount an effective campaign to elect a PC MLA requires someone with enthusiasm and the ability to unify. Manmeet is, without question, the man for the job. He is a top notch organizer, an outstanding member of his community, and undoubtedly ready for the job.
I look forward to watching these campaigns unfold and wish my friends the very best of luck!
Nobody noticed because they were wrong.
The Premier appointed candidates to fill gaps in Edmonton Strathcona and Calgary Montrose. I'm particularily pleased not only because he chose two people under 30 which highlights the diversity of the PC team, but also because I know both of these fine appointees.
T.J. Keil, who was unsuccessful in his bid for the nomination in Highlands-Norwood, gets to fly the party colours in Edmonton Strathcona. As I've said before, T.J. is an outstanding young conservative with limitless energy. As a recent U of A grad, he's sure to bring a different perspective on an important issue for the voters in his constituency. Edmonton Strathcona is traditionally a three-way race and home to a Conservative MP. That T.J. has the Premier's confidence is a testament to both his abilities and his future in our party.
Down in Calgary Montrose, I was thrilled to see my friend Manmeet Bhullar chosen to carry the torch. There's no question that there has been some upheaval in the Montrose organisation. To mount an effective campaign to elect a PC MLA requires someone with enthusiasm and the ability to unify. Manmeet is, without question, the man for the job. He is a top notch organizer, an outstanding member of his community, and undoubtedly ready for the job.
I look forward to watching these campaigns unfold and wish my friends the very best of luck!
Monday, February 4, 2008
Go!
Well here we go, Alberta.
The plan is laid out. The signs are printed. The writ is dropped.
Over the next 28 days we'll be hearing a lot about competing visions of the province. We'll also be learning about the men and women who wish to represent us in the Alberta Legislature.
As one of the millions of citizen journalists in the blogosphere, I will do my best to keep on top of it all and offer comment from my admittedly partisan point of view. I suppose that makes me more of a citizen columnist, but I digress.
I am in a unique position during this campaign in that I'm in the process of moving back to Alberta. As such, the frequency of my postings may not be quite up to par for election junkies. I apologize in advance, but an apartment full of stuff doesn't move itself across the rockies.
Thankfully, there are many outlets of both the mainstream and non-mainstream variety. I think you would be remiss if you didn't make Daveberta, Ken Chapman, and the Enlightened Savage a part of your regular election reads. I suspect that even our old friend the Calgary Grit will have things to say from his new post in Toronto.
The mainstream media also have their election websites up and running. The Calgary Herald and Edmonton Journal will likely be sharing much of the same coverage. Breaking political news, although not very indepth, will also be found coming from Alberta's two main news radio stations QR77 in Calgary and 630 CHED in Edmonton. Some of the best election coverage will likely be found on CBC's Alberta Votes page. Still, its important to take everything we read with a grain of salt. In addition to keeping our political opponents accountable, we bloggers should also keep an eye on the mainstream media.
And the CBC, bless them, have done an excellent job outlining the horrendous start of Kevin Taft's Liberal campaign... its already a two-part item in the Reporters' Notebook section (1 here, 2 here). In it, John Archer does a masterful job of describing the gaffes... I highly recommend reading it.
Fellow CBC reporter Kim Trynacity tries to do some dirty work for the Liberals with thinly veiled (and unverified) shots at two PC incumbents in Edmonton coming from their Liberal opponents.
She writes:
"Speaking of Edmonton's male Tory incumbents, two female candidates running against them have passed on some unsolicited stories to me. They told me how the men approached them and suggested: "This is not your time [in politics]." The men added that the women's time might be better spent at home with their school-aged children."
Now there are only 3 Tory incumbents in Edmonton. The two of them that have female opponents are Gene Zwozdesky and Dave Hancock. Kim suggests that they're both making these accusations against their Tory opponents.
Gene Zwozdesky is used to Liberal trickery in his Edmonton Mill Creek campaigns. Remember that during the 2001 election, his opponent Bharat Agnihotri (now running for reelection in Edmonton Ellerslie) had Global TV news crew follow him around to document a reported wave of change in the riding. After visiting several homes, Global found out that they weren't random houses at all but documented Liberal supporters and caught him in the act.
As for the other accusee, I'd like to see Nancy Cavanaugh come out in public and say that Dave Hancock made these sexist remarks. Its almost as ridiculous as when Liberal MLA Hugh MacDonald accused then-MLA Drew Hutton, whose wife and children are Jewish, of spreading anti-Semitic hate literature in the Legislature.
Either way, the battle lines are already being clearly drawn.
On one hand we see a clear plan with a positive message being promoted by Premier Stelmach and the PC Party.
On the other we see disorganization, negative messaging (essentially calling the voters stupid), and gutter politics from the shadows coming from Kevin Taft and the Liberals.
Change is fine, but I'll be opting for change that works for Albertans.
The plan is laid out. The signs are printed. The writ is dropped.
Over the next 28 days we'll be hearing a lot about competing visions of the province. We'll also be learning about the men and women who wish to represent us in the Alberta Legislature.
As one of the millions of citizen journalists in the blogosphere, I will do my best to keep on top of it all and offer comment from my admittedly partisan point of view. I suppose that makes me more of a citizen columnist, but I digress.
I am in a unique position during this campaign in that I'm in the process of moving back to Alberta. As such, the frequency of my postings may not be quite up to par for election junkies. I apologize in advance, but an apartment full of stuff doesn't move itself across the rockies.
Thankfully, there are many outlets of both the mainstream and non-mainstream variety. I think you would be remiss if you didn't make Daveberta, Ken Chapman, and the Enlightened Savage a part of your regular election reads. I suspect that even our old friend the Calgary Grit will have things to say from his new post in Toronto.
The mainstream media also have their election websites up and running. The Calgary Herald and Edmonton Journal will likely be sharing much of the same coverage. Breaking political news, although not very indepth, will also be found coming from Alberta's two main news radio stations QR77 in Calgary and 630 CHED in Edmonton. Some of the best election coverage will likely be found on CBC's Alberta Votes page. Still, its important to take everything we read with a grain of salt. In addition to keeping our political opponents accountable, we bloggers should also keep an eye on the mainstream media.
And the CBC, bless them, have done an excellent job outlining the horrendous start of Kevin Taft's Liberal campaign... its already a two-part item in the Reporters' Notebook section (1 here, 2 here). In it, John Archer does a masterful job of describing the gaffes... I highly recommend reading it.
Fellow CBC reporter Kim Trynacity tries to do some dirty work for the Liberals with thinly veiled (and unverified) shots at two PC incumbents in Edmonton coming from their Liberal opponents.
She writes:
"Speaking of Edmonton's male Tory incumbents, two female candidates running against them have passed on some unsolicited stories to me. They told me how the men approached them and suggested: "This is not your time [in politics]." The men added that the women's time might be better spent at home with their school-aged children."
Now there are only 3 Tory incumbents in Edmonton. The two of them that have female opponents are Gene Zwozdesky and Dave Hancock. Kim suggests that they're both making these accusations against their Tory opponents.
Gene Zwozdesky is used to Liberal trickery in his Edmonton Mill Creek campaigns. Remember that during the 2001 election, his opponent Bharat Agnihotri (now running for reelection in Edmonton Ellerslie) had Global TV news crew follow him around to document a reported wave of change in the riding. After visiting several homes, Global found out that they weren't random houses at all but documented Liberal supporters and caught him in the act.
As for the other accusee, I'd like to see Nancy Cavanaugh come out in public and say that Dave Hancock made these sexist remarks. Its almost as ridiculous as when Liberal MLA Hugh MacDonald accused then-MLA Drew Hutton, whose wife and children are Jewish, of spreading anti-Semitic hate literature in the Legislature.
Either way, the battle lines are already being clearly drawn.
On one hand we see a clear plan with a positive message being promoted by Premier Stelmach and the PC Party.
On the other we see disorganization, negative messaging (essentially calling the voters stupid), and gutter politics from the shadows coming from Kevin Taft and the Liberals.
Change is fine, but I'll be opting for change that works for Albertans.
Sunday, February 3, 2008
Thank You
I meant to do this much earlier in the day, but the Super Bowl got in the way (incidentally, i'm very happy that the Patriots lost).
On the eve of a likely writ drop in Alberta, I wanted to salute the members of the PC caucus who aren't running again in this coming election.
I had the rare priviledge of serving on the PC Association of Alberta's Executive Committee twice; once as youth wing President, the other as a Regional Director. Particularily during my time as youth President, I was able to travel the province and get to know most of these MLAs in a way that most Albertans do not. Watching them at a constituency function, an industry association event, or on the party's executive gave me a much greater appreciation for the breadth of knowledge and the dedication to public service that they brought to the table.
Although I could have easily been dismissed as some young party hack (and probably still am by some), I thought it important to express how influential these MLAs and the relationships I was able to cultivate with them were during the earliest formative years of my involvement in politics.
Some I have campaigned with, others have graciously hosted me in their constituencies in between elections. One of them let me launch my campaign for PCYA President at his AGM. One of them sent me the most sincere and uplifting expression of support when that Presidency came to an abrupt end. One of them represented a constituency in the Legislature that I represented on the executive. Heck, one of them was my MLA for almost two years!
They all have one thing in common, though. They have all earned my respect, admiration, and deepest thanks for all they have done for me, for their constituents, and for the great province we call home.
I wish them all the very best as they move on from the Legislature and sincerely hope that our paths cross again.
Thank You.
TONY ABBOTT
Drayton Valley-Calmar
Class of 2001
MIKE CARDINAL
Athabasca-Redwater
Class of 1989
HARVEY CENAIKO
Calgary Buffalo
Class of 2001
DAVID COUTTS
Livingstone-Macleod
Class of 1993
VICTOR DOERKSEN
Red Deer South
Class of 1993
Bonnyville-Cold Lake
Class of 1997
CLINT DUNFORD
Lethbridge West
Class of 1993
GORDON GRAYDON
Grande Prairie-Wapiti
Class of 2001
Airdrie-Chestermere
Class of 1993
DENIS HERARD
Calgary Egmont
Class of 1993
LEROY JOHNSON
Wetaskiwin-Camrose
Class of 1997
ROB LOUGHEED
Strathcona
Class of 1997
Calgary North Hill
Class of 1993
GARY MAR
Calgary MacKay
Class of 1993
GREG MELCHIN
Calgary North West
Class of 1997
On the eve of a likely writ drop in Alberta, I wanted to salute the members of the PC caucus who aren't running again in this coming election.
I had the rare priviledge of serving on the PC Association of Alberta's Executive Committee twice; once as youth wing President, the other as a Regional Director. Particularily during my time as youth President, I was able to travel the province and get to know most of these MLAs in a way that most Albertans do not. Watching them at a constituency function, an industry association event, or on the party's executive gave me a much greater appreciation for the breadth of knowledge and the dedication to public service that they brought to the table.
Although I could have easily been dismissed as some young party hack (and probably still am by some), I thought it important to express how influential these MLAs and the relationships I was able to cultivate with them were during the earliest formative years of my involvement in politics.
Some I have campaigned with, others have graciously hosted me in their constituencies in between elections. One of them let me launch my campaign for PCYA President at his AGM. One of them sent me the most sincere and uplifting expression of support when that Presidency came to an abrupt end. One of them represented a constituency in the Legislature that I represented on the executive. Heck, one of them was my MLA for almost two years!
They all have one thing in common, though. They have all earned my respect, admiration, and deepest thanks for all they have done for me, for their constituents, and for the great province we call home.
I wish them all the very best as they move on from the Legislature and sincerely hope that our paths cross again.
Thank You.
TONY ABBOTT
Drayton Valley-Calmar
Class of 2001
MIKE CARDINAL
Athabasca-Redwater
Class of 1989
HARVEY CENAIKO
Calgary Buffalo
Class of 2001
DAVID COUTTS
Livingstone-Macleod
Class of 1993
VICTOR DOERKSENRed Deer South
Class of 1993
Bonnyville-Cold Lake
Class of 1997
CLINT DUNFORD
Lethbridge West
Class of 1993
GORDON GRAYDON
Grande Prairie-Wapiti
Class of 2001
Airdrie-Chestermere
Class of 1993
DENIS HERARDCalgary Egmont
Class of 1993
LEROY JOHNSONWetaskiwin-Camrose
Class of 1997
ROB LOUGHEEDStrathcona
Class of 1997
Calgary North Hill
Class of 1993
GARY MAR
Calgary MacKay
Class of 1993
GREG MELCHINCalgary North West
Class of 1997
DR. LYLE OBERG
Strathmore-Brooks
Class of 1993
IVAN STRANG
West Yellowhead
Class of 1997
Friday, February 1, 2008
Ladies and Gentlemen, start your engines
Well we're almost out of the gate, Alberta.
All signs are clearly pointing to an election call from Premier Stelmach next week. Conventional wisdom says that the Premier will visit the L.G. after the Speech from the Throne is delivered on February 4th. I've heard some rumblings that they may actually wait a day and allow the house to sit on the 5th in order to allow for a much-deserved tribute to former NDP Leader Pam Barrett. I really don't have a hunch one way or another as to how its going to unfold.
I do have a hunch, though, about how things are going to unfold for Kevin Taft.
Badly.
Kevin launched his campaign earlier this week in front of the friendliest audience he's likely to find... a bunch of Torontonians.
He droned on about making Alberta a "western tiger", no doubt leaving many in the room to wonder what he thinks our red-hot economy has been thus far. He also tried to strike an anti-American chord by suggesting that more of Alberta's resources should be upgraded in Canada. He, of course, conveniently forgets that the new royalty framework (which the Liberals oppose) has built-in incentives for this kind of upgrading. He also conveniently forgets that, in order to spread the "oil love", we need to knock down regressive interprovincial trade barriers. To address this, the Alberta Government negotiated a successful agreement with British Columbia (TILMA) and has been promoting the negotiation of similar agreements with other provinces. Kevin Taft and the Liberals also oppose this.
(Incidentally, some Liberals have gotten so paranoid that they actually thought that the Premier was going to call the election while Kevin was off preaching to the converted in order to catch them off guard)
Anyway, Kevin Taft came home and kicked off the Liberal campaign with a rally in Edmonton today. In the Edmonton Journal's coverage, both he and a party candidate express a desire to tap into the pool of undecided voters. They apparently plan to do this by rolling out the same pledges that they've been making since the 2004 election, plus a promise to increase your utility bill. These would be the same pledges that have yet to move ANY of those undecided voters into their camp. Perhaps that would explain why the Liberals got only half the turnout they were expecting at this rally.
The theme of the Liberal campaign this election is "It's time".
I suspect that, as the campaign unfolds, Liberal supporters will agree that it's time.
Time to get a new Leader, that is.
All signs are clearly pointing to an election call from Premier Stelmach next week. Conventional wisdom says that the Premier will visit the L.G. after the Speech from the Throne is delivered on February 4th. I've heard some rumblings that they may actually wait a day and allow the house to sit on the 5th in order to allow for a much-deserved tribute to former NDP Leader Pam Barrett. I really don't have a hunch one way or another as to how its going to unfold.
I do have a hunch, though, about how things are going to unfold for Kevin Taft.
Badly.
Kevin launched his campaign earlier this week in front of the friendliest audience he's likely to find... a bunch of Torontonians.
He droned on about making Alberta a "western tiger", no doubt leaving many in the room to wonder what he thinks our red-hot economy has been thus far. He also tried to strike an anti-American chord by suggesting that more of Alberta's resources should be upgraded in Canada. He, of course, conveniently forgets that the new royalty framework (which the Liberals oppose) has built-in incentives for this kind of upgrading. He also conveniently forgets that, in order to spread the "oil love", we need to knock down regressive interprovincial trade barriers. To address this, the Alberta Government negotiated a successful agreement with British Columbia (TILMA) and has been promoting the negotiation of similar agreements with other provinces. Kevin Taft and the Liberals also oppose this.
(Incidentally, some Liberals have gotten so paranoid that they actually thought that the Premier was going to call the election while Kevin was off preaching to the converted in order to catch them off guard)
Anyway, Kevin Taft came home and kicked off the Liberal campaign with a rally in Edmonton today. In the Edmonton Journal's coverage, both he and a party candidate express a desire to tap into the pool of undecided voters. They apparently plan to do this by rolling out the same pledges that they've been making since the 2004 election, plus a promise to increase your utility bill. These would be the same pledges that have yet to move ANY of those undecided voters into their camp. Perhaps that would explain why the Liberals got only half the turnout they were expecting at this rally.
The theme of the Liberal campaign this election is "It's time".
I suspect that, as the campaign unfolds, Liberal supporters will agree that it's time.
Time to get a new Leader, that is.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)