Next Premier?

[coppertop]

I am sure there will be many special interest groups trying very hard to influence the outcome of the leadership vote, however, I think that the average citizens, namely the Martha and Henry's of Alberta will ultimately decide. I hope the process results in a leader that HAS A PLAN for Alberta's growth, has a plan for helping municipalities cope with the huge demands on infrastructure, people services etc., and also has a plan to deal with budget priorities in a fiscally responsible manner vs throwing money around at everything whenever there seems to be a crisis. I hope that the party will get behind the new leader and the MLA's that are now choosing sides will work as one for the good of Albertans.

[grassfarmer]

Why the big concern about the Alberta premier ivbin? I thought you hung out in the backwoods of Saskabush anyway?

[ivbinconned]

Just a great interest in the political process every where. Plus I was Alberta born and now all my kids are are in Alberta. I will try to influence them to all vote for Ted Morton...first round!

[coppertop]

IF he's still in the race by the time the first ballot rolls around !!!! There is a long way to go until the third week of November, and a lot of dollars needed to campaign at the pace necessary between now and then.
Doerksen must have the support of some of the people who would likely have supported Morton, and I can't see either of them getting much momentum going to increase their support significantly.

The Calgary Herald polls showed Oberg and Dinning almost neck and neck, which may be the case around Calgary, but in the south, central and northern part of the province I would suggest the polls would show a different result.

Once the premier's letter of resignation is received by the party then the RACE IS ON, and that will be next week.

Too bad you aren't living in Alberta ivebin, then you could really get involved in what will be a very exciting fall as far as politics goes !!!

[rook]

Does anyone know if it is a preferential ballot or what the process is?

[coppertop]

rook, the party will finalize the details once Klien's letter of resignation arrives.

The format will be one vote per ballot, vs picking first, second choice etc.

It is highly unlikely it will be decided on the first ballot so a second ballot will likely take place a week or two after the first one.

Voting should be at a poll within your constituency, the party is being urged to conside the time of year and have as many polling stations as possible in the rural areas so people aren't faced with driving long distances in what could be imclement weather.

Candidates at the lower end of the results on the first ballot will likely throw their personal support behind one of the two leading candidates.

It's likely only five or six candidates will be on the first ballot, the others will have pledged allegiance to another candidate prior to that time.

[cowman]

To answer an earlier question: The only candidate I ever met was Morton. The boy knew him at the U of C.
I like his politics!...maybe slightly too left for me! LOL
If Morton won, I might consider voting PC. Otherwise it is Alliance!
Dinning is just too slick for me and I suspect he knows where his bread is buttered? Oberg kind of shot himself in the foot with the "Ralph thing"...and comes across as a bit of an airhead? Stelmach...who knows...he doesn't even look like he is running!
Actually I would have a real hard time voting for my present MLA anyway! He is about the most useless thing we ever got stuck with...a real dog!

[WRAPper]

Thanks for the reply cowman, hopefully you'll get the chance to meet one ot two more in your travels before this thing winds up, somehow I've met 3 of the candidates personally in various places over the last few years and plan on making it at least four before Nov. It really changes or in one case reinforces a persons viewpoint to just quietly pose a real different question at one of these people and see how they answer or react. I make a point to stay away from the usual whines like health care , infrastructure and education and try and ask about things like landowner property rights or agricultural visions. I know with everyones busy life it's so hard to make the time but I really do feel this new PC leader/premier will be pivotal to the future of Alberta. Ralph was OK but once his vision was fulfilled he just didn't have a gameplan. We can't run the way we have the last few years and hope to see the type of province I feel we could have in 10-15 years for our children.

[coppertop]

cowman, don't underestimate how hard Ed Stelmach is running ! Just because he doesn't have a dozen photographers taking shots of him with his arm around anyone that happens to cross his path, and communications people dropping off their own wordsmithed press releases at every local newspapers like some other candidates doesn't mean he isn't out meeting Albertans.
Mark Norris is also working very hard on the campaign trail, but he won't get much support outside of Edmonton.
Meeting with the average Albertan at local coffee shops, attending functions set up by various communities is much more important than having half a dozen MLA's setting up their preferred candidate with meetings in their constituency with a hand picked few.
You won't see a flashy show with Ed, but you will see a candidate that can talk about issues with you one on one or at the front of an auditorium full of people. When he was a cabinet minister he didn't have to ask half a dozen aides and deputies about issues when meeting with municipalities, he darn well knew what the issues were, who was in charge of getting them solved and what stage they were at on the road to being looked after.I was at a meeting two weeks ago where he was speaking, one gentleman had a question about a personal issue regarding an elderly family member, Ed had a room full of people to speak with but he took the time to have a private conversation with the fellow . Every Albertan is important to him.

I had coffee with several retired businessmen here yesterday, they have bought Green Party memberships but were going to vote in the PC Leadership election because they want to see the province with some guidance at the helm.

I had a call last week from one of the frontrunning candidates' campaign folks asking for donations, and asking if I would sell memberships for their MAN, the caller said I MAY even have an OPPORTUNITY to meet him in person if I got on the TEAM!!

[rook]

Thanks for the answer coppertop. I like preferential ballots because you only have to vote once but I suppose there is more drama and the media have more to cover with this system.

[coppertop]

rook the main thing is that people take advantage of the opportunity to vote.

[cropduster]

Anyone heard who has sold the most memberships???The rumour here is it`s TED.......