tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10290429.post116405162238258841..comments2023-11-02T06:37:23.839-06:00Comments on daveberta.ca: backs out.davebertahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06822739409684978316noreply@blogger.comBlogger44125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10290429.post-1166243294427137432006-12-15T21:28:00.000-07:002006-12-15T21:28:00.000-07:00Dan Backs has a blog: http://www.danbacks.com/blog...Dan Backs has a blog: http://www.danbacks.com/blog/Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10290429.post-1165813289820516512006-12-10T22:01:00.000-07:002006-12-10T22:01:00.000-07:00So is Maurice Maurice Tougas and Anonymous Hugh Ma...So is Maurice Maurice Tougas and Anonymous Hugh MacDonald? Take it outside boys!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10290429.post-1164386850289880872006-11-24T09:47:00.000-07:002006-11-24T09:47:00.000-07:00Thanks for that, Hugh Macdonald. I guess every cau...Thanks for that, Hugh Macdonald. I guess every caucus needs a backstabbing Joe Volpe character like you.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10290429.post-1164338830764030922006-11-23T20:27:00.000-07:002006-11-23T20:27:00.000-07:00Anonymous said... The vote to expel Backs was unan...<I>Anonymous said... <BR/>The vote to expel Backs was unanimous from the Caucus (since Backs was the issue, he was not included on the vote). <BR/></I><BR/>actually, it may have been unanimous considering only 2 MLA's voted!!! Kevin and a mysterious female MLA from Edm Centre. guess who? lol.<BR/>try talking to other MLA's and ask if they were there for the vote. They were surprised by the vote as much as the rest of us.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10290429.post-1164328543492060462006-11-23T17:35:00.000-07:002006-11-23T17:35:00.000-07:00The vote to expel Backs was unanimous from the Cau...The vote to expel Backs was unanimous from the Caucus (since Backs was the issue, he was not included on the vote).Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10290429.post-1164262355665530922006-11-22T23:12:00.000-07:002006-11-22T23:12:00.000-07:00What was the total vote to expel Lyle Oberg from t...What was the total vote to expel Lyle Oberg from the PC Caucus?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10290429.post-1164261018811078982006-11-22T22:50:00.000-07:002006-11-22T22:50:00.000-07:00yeah, the more i think about it, the weirder it is...yeah, the more i think about it, the weirder it is that nobody claims to know the vote total in caucus to expel DB. was there not a vote, or what was the damn result! that is my question.kenlister1https://www.blogger.com/profile/16383326051764636004noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10290429.post-1164260938308064832006-11-22T22:48:00.000-07:002006-11-22T22:48:00.000-07:00so you guys think when backs runs as an independen...so you guys think when backs runs as an independent (wont he?) that the liberals will have a better chance at winning the seat, and the vote won't be split????? lol.<BR/>just because taft made a decision, doesnt mean he was being a good leader. a leader unites people. what specifically did DB do that would result in an expulsion? an explanation is needed not from the defendant, but the prosecution (taft). was it a policy disagreement? argument? poor job in general?<BR/>there is no point in us speculating on what it was, he needs to answer why he expelled him permanently, and what the caucus vote was.kenlister1https://www.blogger.com/profile/16383326051764636004noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10290429.post-1164246870352032502006-11-22T18:54:00.000-07:002006-11-22T18:54:00.000-07:00Haha, this is the worst spin ever. Firing a fello...Haha, this is the worst spin ever. Firing a fellow liberal MLA is .... ah ... a good thing.<BR/><BR/>Grog, it doesn't matter if the libs take all of Edmonton. The PCs still always have Calgary and rural AB.<BR/><BR/>It's been since 1905 that the libs were in power and I doubt a Morton government will change that (in fact, he's subsume the AB Alliance, which is the only legitimate threat in rural Alberta).Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10290429.post-1164238384136212882006-11-22T16:33:00.000-07:002006-11-22T16:33:00.000-07:00I agree with Grog, a vote for Morton could be a go...I agree with Grog, a vote for Morton could be a good thing for the liberal movement in this province.<BR/><BR/>A party is only as strong as its weakest member. Even though eliminating Backs from caucus seems to be downsizing, it is strengthening and uniting the party. Taft has drawn a clear line in the sand - there are limits to what he will put up with, and there are expectations for the behaviour of a sitting MLA.<BR/><BR/>Taft and co. did not have to elimate Backs from the caucus to ensure that he did not run in the riding again - they could have easily done so through ensuring that a different person was nominated to run for MLA in that riding for the next election. Definitely a move to a position of strength.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10290429.post-1164167378106483852006-11-21T20:49:00.000-07:002006-11-21T20:49:00.000-07:00I think Taft is on to something here - it's brilli...I think Taft is on to something here - it's brilliant! I think he should keep firing his Liberal MLA's! Go Taft Go!<BR/><BR/>:-PAllie Wojtaszekhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17288605727373925328noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10290429.post-1164136103578115242006-11-21T12:08:00.000-07:002006-11-21T12:08:00.000-07:00I suspect that the electoral importance of Edmonto...I suspect that the electoral importance of Edmonton depends heavily on who the PC's select as a leader.<BR/><BR/>If it's Morton, that could drive a lot of so-called "red tory" vote away in a hurry.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10290429.post-1164122183607589162006-11-21T08:16:00.000-07:002006-11-21T08:16:00.000-07:00Berta, who cares about whether the PCs can get Edm...Berta, who cares about whether the PCs can get Edmonton or not? They always get the vast majority of Calgary and all of rural Alberta. That is enough to handily beat the liberals.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10290429.post-1164121398164763342006-11-21T08:03:00.000-07:002006-11-21T08:03:00.000-07:00Why does a leader have to WARN a SITTING GOD DAMN ...Why does a leader have to WARN a SITTING GOD DAMN MLA that he'll get kicked out if he doesn't behave properly. Like, you know, get his facts right in the Leg. Return phone calls from constituents. And stop being a regular at Chez Pierre.<BR/><BR/>Backs has had two years to step up from being a useless union hack to at least pretend to be a mediocre MLA. He wasn't up to the job. The caucus thought he was an idiot. The caucus staff were always on the receiving end of his rageoholic shit fits. So Kevin Taft fires the idiot. He's the boss. Why shouldn't he fire Backs' toothless ass? Why?<BR/><BR/>At the very least the move should be a shot across the bow to Bharat Agnihotri to pull up his socks and start behaving like an adult.<BR/><BR/>And why is everyone so bloody surprised when a leader acts like, you know, a LEADER! What's Taft supposed to do? Sit around in a circle with everyone, hold hands and talk about their feelings and emotions. What crap!<BR/><BR/>My opinion of Taft has risen 100 per cent in this case by identifying a problem and acting on it without dithering around like some other Liberal leader whose name escapes me.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10290429.post-1164095636897438142006-11-21T00:53:00.000-07:002006-11-21T00:53:00.000-07:00Janice Melnychuk may also run in Beverly Clareview...Janice Melnychuk may also run in Beverly Clareview if Ray Martin retires. Arlene Chapman for the ND's in Manning?<BR/><BR/>Ed Gibbons again for the Liberals in Manning? Maybe Taft has a star candidate lined up?<BR/><BR/>Tony Vandermeer for the Tories? A Julius Yankowski comeback? Maybe Lyle Oberg will run for an Edmonton seat? Jim Dinning for that matter...<BR/><BR/>Could go to any of them.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10290429.post-1164093606269856132006-11-21T00:20:00.000-07:002006-11-21T00:20:00.000-07:00I don't see how dropping a nominated incumbent imp...I don't see how dropping a nominated incumbent improves the Liberal chances in Manning. If anything, it's a signal to people running for the PCs or NDP that the seat is open. Rumour has it that Janice Melnychuk was already eyeing the seat for the NDP. Without a Liberal incumbent, the seat looks a lot more winnable for her. With an incumbent, she might not have been willing to step forward.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10290429.post-1164092890274165532006-11-21T00:08:00.000-07:002006-11-21T00:08:00.000-07:00Working as a team unit is something that Taft's 20...Working as a team unit is something that Taft's 2004 Liberal team has had a challenage with over the past couple years. While some in the caucus have shined in the Legislature (Taft, Rick Miller, Dave Taylor, Laurie Blakeman, Mo Elsalhy, David Swann) other have been less effective and more detrimental to the caucus unit (Backs for example). If anything, the decision to cut Backs may lead to a more solidified opposition in the legislature.<BR/><BR/>And if you think this is anything, just wait to see the mahem in the PC caucus when King Dinning takes the throne. We're in for a show, folks!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10290429.post-1164090103209177682006-11-20T23:21:00.000-07:002006-11-20T23:21:00.000-07:00ha<A HREF="http://daveberta.blogspot.com/2006/09/aupe-leader-resigns.html#c115869844903892175" REL="nofollow">ha</A>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10290429.post-1164089813140574762006-11-20T23:16:00.000-07:002006-11-20T23:16:00.000-07:00wow. Dan Backs all of a sudden has a lot of fans i...wow. Dan Backs all of a sudden has a lot of fans in the anonymous blog poster community.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10290429.post-1164089718749328142006-11-20T23:15:00.000-07:002006-11-20T23:15:00.000-07:00I think Jonas makes a good point. It may have a lo...I think Jonas makes a good point. It may have a lot to do with the Liberals actually wanting to retain the riding in the next election.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10290429.post-1164089513375103482006-11-20T23:11:00.000-07:002006-11-20T23:11:00.000-07:00I don't understand what the big deal is. Taft got ...I don't understand what the big deal is. Taft got rid of a no-name deep backbench MLA. Obviously he was causing problems.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10290429.post-1164088500078921262006-11-20T22:55:00.000-07:002006-11-20T22:55:00.000-07:00i have spoken to caucus members who were not consu...i have spoken to caucus members who were not consulted on this. Taft and his inner circle are the problem. DB has been a card carry lib for 30 years now. i am phoning the other DB tomorrow to start organizing for him to dump taft as soon as he loses the next election. When i talk about Taft's innercircle, does anyone remmeber one of his many friends who was the executive director of the party after volunteering in one election? you know, the guy who had no experience, but did have a lot of kiddie porn? who hired him? what riding did he live in? how long had he been a party member before being appointed, errr, hired as the executvie director?<BR/>for anyone who only sees the most obvious examples and doesnt know the real story, even still, expelling DB is the second clear cut obvious case of incompetence after that Kense chump.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10290429.post-1164083746927029592006-11-20T21:35:00.000-07:002006-11-20T21:35:00.000-07:00Depending on who is nominated for each party, Edmo...Depending on who is nominated for each party, Edmonton Manning could literally go any way in the next election. <BR/><BR/>1986-93 - NDP<BR/>1993-2001 - Liberal<BR/>2001-2004 - PC<BR/>2004- Liberal<BR/><BR/>In the last election:<BR/>Liberal - 3873<BR/>PC - 3646<BR/>NDP - 2371<BR/><BR/>Backs was a weak and low profile MLA. Removing Backs from caucus gives the Liberals the chance to nominate a stronger candidate in a riding which will be hotly contested and tageted by both the NDP and Tories - and literally could go any of the three ways.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10290429.post-1164081495440668432006-11-20T20:58:00.000-07:002006-11-20T20:58:00.000-07:00As I mentioned before, I'm not totally shocked at ...As I mentioned before, I'm not totally shocked at what happened with Dan Backs and I think evidence shows that this wasn't completely out of the blue. <BR/><BR/>From what I understand, there have been personal and professional issues between the Caucus members and staff for at least a year - including the "Nazi" comment from May 2006. <BR/><BR/>I've known Kevin Taft for 5 years and I can tell you that I'm sure this wasn't an easy decision to make. Taft is not the kind of person that would make this sort of decision on a personal opinion and it's been made quite clear that this was a caucus decision.<BR/><BR/>As for the polls, as I've said before, until the Tories chose a new leader, they are quite meaningless - especially in Edmonton, where party dominance can flip on a dime.davebertahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06822739409684978316noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10290429.post-1164080336114276472006-11-20T20:38:00.000-07:002006-11-20T20:38:00.000-07:00Backs wasn't going to lose the nomination, he alre...Backs wasn't going to lose the nomination, he already had the nomination.<BR/><BR/>I'm really not sure what Werner Patels has to do with Dan Backs or Kevin Taft.<BR/><BR/>As for Jim's comments about anonymous posters - posting as "Jim" from Edmonton isn't exactly telling us who <B>you</B> are.<BR/><BR/>What was striking to me was the fact Taft admitted he didn't give Backs a warning. That to me says that Backs must have done something to piss Taft off, rather than just being a general pain. You don't get rid of an MLA for being a general pain (party politics would end as we know it). You give MLAs warnings, tell them to pull up their socks. Unless there was some incident Taft couldn't abide by.<BR/><BR/>Another blogger suggested that Backs was off base on his minimum wage announcement. Could be Taft didn't like MLAs going left when he's been moving the party to the right to collect corporate donations.<BR/><BR/>Or it could be that Backs was calling for Taft to go. At 15% in the polls, Edmonton Manning is sure to fall to the Tories or the Dippers.Arthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10329175254849919740noreply@blogger.com