Back in April, Tory Premier Ralph Klein announced he would sign a letter of resignation in September. Later, it was clarified that it would be September 16. It's now September 17 and no letter. Maybe he decided that he's fine with 55.4% support?
But seriously, it really doesn't matter if Klein sends in his resignation this week or next, the candidates for his replacement are in full gear ready to storm the ancient gates of Castle Klein. It will most likely start to get a little concerning for Tories if Klein hasn't made his move by next week, as I'm sure they'd like to take a look at the official rules of the race (and for the race to begin on paper at some point).
I neglected to comment on it at the time, but I found the semi-conflict between Klein and former Premier Peter Lougheed a couple of weeks ago to be quite interesting. I thought it was pretty low of Klein to take a shot at Peter Lougheed - a man who has more solid policy and province-building experience than Klein could ever dream of having. Edmonton Journal columnist Graham Thomson had some interesting experts from Lougheed on his opinion of today's Alberta on his blog.
Carolyn Bennett's withdrawal from the Federal Liberal leadership race and endorsement of Bob Rae wasn't a complete surprise. I'd heard rumours that Bennett was going to drop out and I don't find it totally surprising that she endorsed Rae (as this was part of the rumour). Interestingly, Bennett first unsuccessful ran for the Ontario Liberals against Tory Isabel Bassett in Toronto riding of St. Andrew-St. Patrick in the 1995 election which saw the defeat of Bob Rae's Ontario NDP government.
Bennett's withdrawal from the race leaves nine candidates left in the fight - Gerard Kennedy, Michael Ignatieff, Bob Rae, Ken Dryden, Stephane Dion, Scott Brison, Martha Hall Findlay, Hedy Fry, and Joe Volpe. Both Gerard Kennedy and Martha Hall Findlay launched new websites last week.
The New Brunswick provincial election is tomorrow! Unlike it's provincial neighbour to the east (Nova Scotia), the political environment in New Brunswick is a near tie between Shawn Graham's Liberals and Premier Bernard Lord's Tories (poll results released on September 13 had the Liberals and PC's polling at a dead heat of 46% with Allison Brewer's NDP in a distant third at 7%). It should be very interesting to see what happens tomorrow night!
Sunday, September 17, 2006
september redux.
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6 comments:
I can't understand why these candidates are supporting Rae. Sure he's articulate and smart, but the guy has a ton of negative political baggage... maybe he can pull it off. No one thought Harper could...
I'm predicting another slim Tory Minority in NB tomorrow. 29 PC-28 Liberal? I guess we'll see tomorrow!
How to affect change. Given that the person elected in the PC leadership race is likely to lead the government for the next 8 to 12 years, is it better to join the campaign of one candidate in order to get him to support a paticular issue of concern or would it be better to write to all candidates and ask them to recognize that issue? I'm part of a campaign to protect Kananaskis. The government isn't listening and I don't hear any candidate saying they want to protect our natural heritage.
Getting actively involved with a party that actually listens to Albertans is probably your best bet, Toloko. The PC party of Alberta stopped listening to ordinary citizens a long time ago. I suggest you try either Taft's Liberals or Mason's NDP.
Ok all of you little dafties, here is something for you. Peter Lougheed did not have solid policy platforms. In fact it was because of his platforms that this province was thrown into debt into the first place. Lougheed has always been bitter because his choice for the leadership of 92 never panned out.
He is also quite bitter that Ralph is considered just as highly as him as a Premier.
I realize that you all have your own views and the like, but give me a break, there are many wheels within wheels within wheels going on here.
Lougheed is also trying to minimize who Klein will eventually support in the upcoming contest. You get someone of such "high standing" to fire at Klein so when he picks a side it comes with questions.
And, although you probably won't believe this, many of your columnists are supporting on candidate or another so everything that is written is full of bias, no matter what you think.
The media is not your best place to get the full story, there is always background that you miss. And you missed it on this one.
I remember the St. Andrew-St Patrick election, I voted for Bennett in that election. She would have been a decent MLA, but too bad we ended up with Bassett for 4 years. I think Rae will do better than most people expect him to.
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