genie is out of the bottle

[cakadu]

Talk is cheap cowman and it takes a lot to walk the talk. If on the very off chance anything remotely like separation occured, would the oil fellas be albe to hang on to the amount of royalty money that they do now? Would they have to give more of it up in order to finance their own empire? I doubt they would want to give up any more of the pie than they already have.

It will be interesting to see just how long we have to wait for a leadership race. There is no doubt that the results of last night's vote must have been very shocking for all involved. What do you suppose caused the tide to turn?

[cakadu]

My guess is that the Oberg ousting was the final straw. Not because Oberg has a lot of popularity but because he got booted for saying what many people have been thinking and saying for some time. Mind you his 'skeletons' remark is likely what really tipped the scale.
I would imagine that there will be a hot time in the old town when caucus meets on Monday. Those that were not in favor of booting Oberg will likley have their say.

He has a huge group of supporters at the convention, from all across the province. Many of them decided to attend at the last minute because they were fed up with the bullying that the government has been doing for some time.

The 'old guard' is likely going to be retiring when the next election happens, so there will be many MLA's looking for cabinet posts, plus there will no doubt be those that have never been given a shot at cabinet lining up for the pay off for being loyal.

Saw Tom Livingston on TV saying that no-one should overstay their welcome, and he has been a long time Klein supporter so when those folks realize the time has come then hopefully the Premier does as well.

I would honestly doubt if he will spend much time in the Leg., and may possibly be gone before the fall sitting.

I see Preston Manning is considering entering the race, at the rate the candidates are coming out of the bushes the ballot will be half a mile long.

One thing I know for sure I WILL be at the Leadership convention, wouldn't miss it for the world. There will be so much jockeying around it would make Johnny Longden pale by comparison.

Oh, for those who don't know who that is, ask Cowman !!! He's old enough to remember !!!!

[cowman]

Well emerald I'm sorry but that name doesn't ring a bell?
It would seem the media has condemned Ralph to oblivion...but the fact is he got a majority vote? Last time I looked that meant he was still the premier?
Sure like the idea of Preston Manning being the premier...but then I come from a family who thought the sun rose and set on his old man! I actually met Mr. Manning(We never called him Earnest Manning...always Mr. Manning) when I was a small boy! It has been my observation in life that the acorn usually doesn't fall too far from the tree? If Preston was half as good as the old man he would be really something!
Funny story I've probably told before: My old aunt was a "political animal" who would never miss an election. I picked her up a couple of elections ago to take her to vote. On the way I said "So who are you going to vote for?" She said Oh I guess I'll have to vote for Ralph Klein. Then she sighed and continued "It is a sad day in Alberta when the very best we have is nothing more than a common drunk! Why the man wouldn't have been fit to sweep out Mr. Mannings office in the old days!"
Sure cracked me up! She was this little old bit of a thing, very distinguished looking and very sure how the world should work!

[cowman]

Johnny Longdon was a famous jockey cowman !!!!! Obvious that one of your vices wasn't betting on horses back in the old days !!!

I don't agree with you on Preston Manning, and I am willing to bet that he couldn't win the leadership if he does make an attempt.

The events of the past couple of weeks has levelled the field between Oberg and Dinning which is a real surprise.

I suspect that there may be at least one other cabinet minister throw their hat into the ring before too long.

[cowman]

Well I think you are right emerald on the getting elected thing? I think the PC party is loaded up with a lot of crooks and people too lazy to actually get a job! I doubt they would want a leader who was fiscally and morally responsible? Just the way of the world these days?
My own MLA is a typical example. In my opinion nothing more than a bum, who played his wifes cancer to the max to gain sympathy! Was sure running around visiting every Tom, Dick and Harry to get nominated for the PC party...but has pretty well totally disappeared since! Around here the "election" is getting the nod to be the candidate...not the provincial election...you could nominate a fence post PC and it would win!
SAD! And by the way he is a cabinet minister...though of what..it is hard to tell? Minister of Government efficiency or some garbage like that!

[cowman]

I think that many people who have ridden on the shirt tails of the 'old guard' in the Klein government may be in for a rude awakening.
These are the people who get the government appointments without having to compete for them, and also the ones that are ADVISORS on any major issue. I have a feeling that there will be some new blood gunning for nominations next time around.