Anyone surprised by the election results, other than the dumb researchers?

[grassfarmer]

"Rural AB is now not well represented as many of
the recent PC ministers resigned or lost in the
election."

Don't know what the heck that's supposed to mean
Tom? Maybe you are under the Alberta illusion that
you have to be a member of the governing party, in
a majority position to make things happen. If so
just watch Joe Anglin - he counts for about 10 x
what a Luke Oullette type politician does.
Thanks for all your efforts ASRG and I look forward
to seeing your MLA in action.

Speaking of dumb researchers has anybody heard
the voter turnout figures? I've heard on the radio at
least 3 times that it was 57% - up 25% from the last
election when it was 41%. No wonder they got the
polls wrong !

[ASRG]

grassfarmer: In our riding it was 55% up from slightly under 40%. I agree 100% with you on Joe....he is going to rock Edmonton! I told Kerry...if you are in doubt on any issue.....ask Joe!

Tom: I actually have met and talked to Doug and I was impressed with his common sense. I also talked to his Dad and I can see where he got his common sense! Too bad he chose to stay with the Redford gang.

[per]

I doubt she will throw Doug under the bus on the contrary he has a chance of making Ag minister. She might pick a newbie like Everett MacDonald from GP as well. I would rather have Doug by a long shot though.

Tom, that is the fallacy that Albertans can't quite get over that a constituency can't be represented by an opposition member. I suppose if that were the case we could save a bunch of money by laying off all the non ruling party MLA's. Of course that would trigger a bunch of transition allowance payouts. lol

[TOM4CWB]

Per,

I do know how the PC ministers have worked in the past... and both Ed and Alison depended on their Ministers. Historically opposition MLA's had little influence over PC Ag/Gov Ag policy... the average well connected grower had more influence than any opposition MLA.

Just the way it is...

Time will tell... as I said I hope Alison DOES NOT throw Dougy G under the bus... as I said earlier.

Alison has broken her 'word/promises' so many times... on so many fronts... the surprise will be dramatic if she sticks with her election promises now.

This AB Pc gov. now truly is NOT the old guard gov. of 10-15 years ago... with the Ministerial changes... it will be Dramatically different... Alison was bang on on that point.

Hope the rain comes and the seeds germinate!

Cheers!

[rockpile]

An interesting observation in retrospect. The last
poll put out by 308 Election on Saturday showed PC
incumbents with substantial leads in South AB
except in Little Bow and showed pretty well a sweep
of Calgary by the WRP. Exactly the opposite
happened. In Strathmore Brooks the WRP candidate
won by 2500 votes when the poll showed him
behind by 7 points. Electing Liberals in Calgary
looked impossible yet 3 got in.
Tom, what was Dougies margin of victory? I've
known him for quite some time and he came across
to me as a very decent and honest individual very
committed to the health of rural and small town
Alberta. Speaking of which no matter which riding
you reside in, the urban population far outnumbers
rural.

[grassfarmer]

You are coming out with some gems today Tom.

"Historically opposition MLA's had little influence
over PC Ag/Gov Ag policy... the average well
connected grower had more influence than any
opposition MLA."

Highlighting the non-functioning of a democracy.
The old boys network, getting a favour in return for
a favour like the Alberta Beef Producers chairmen
who screwed over the cattle producers during BSE
then stand as PC MLAs. This is why a democratic
Government always needs a strong opposition. With
opposition the Government doesn't get away with
crap, doesn't get away with things like drafting and
passing the Alberta Land Bills before the public
knew anything about them. Hopefully this will
change with additional opposition MLAs although
what we really needed was a minority Government,
regardless of which party it was.

[TOM4CWB]

Rockpile,

Dougy G/PC 7204
Dave N/WRP 6710

496 votes between these two in BattleRiver Wainwright; Polls said at least a Wildrose minority win... so about 50 percent of folks were fine with that (a Wildrose minority) and didn't vote!

In essense the vast majority (70 percent of the folks in our area) expected the Wildrose to win.

In reality same goes for ALL of Alberta. 60 percent of Alberta still is CLEARLY against the undemocratic Power/Land Bills.

Alison has an absolute massive problem... if she takes this election the WRONG way... this will NOT be pretty.

Dougy G CAN help... but will Alison be arrogant... or take the heart of this message and listen to what average people in Alberta ACTUALLY want and expect.


Pc AB go ahead with the environmental and property rights/ power line fiasco's...? There will be a huge problem if they do.

If Alison was SMART... she would have a seperate vote on the Power/Property Bills... before going full ahead to implement them. AGAIN The 'Grassroots' is clearly against the PC Power Grab changes...

Will the PC AB folks listen?

Time will tell... tell your MLA what you think! Write Alison and Danielle a letter!

Cheers!

[Gofer]

WR still needs more grassroots organization. PC signs all picked up wednesday night, WR signs still out there. Our excellant democratically nominated candidate won with 58% to 40% of the vote over the Danielle appointed non-resident WR candidate.

[TOM4CWB]

Gofer,

Up to 60 percent of our WRP signs were taken... much less to pick up... until they start putting them back up to make us look bad.

Tons of Dougy G signs still out today... If anyone see's Dave Nelson signs out, please let us know where they are.

We haven't had this much 'fun' in a very long time!

'Cheers'!!!

[Gofer]

What a diabolical plan Tom. I hear in Edmonton there is a $250 fine per sign that isn't picked up after 72 hours or such.
It was my first time as well and very interesting, but I'm sure a lot more enjoyable picking up signs being on the winning candidates team.