Next Premier?

[cowman]

$5 gets you a vote for who you want as the next premier. Now I don't know about you but I figure that is money well spent?
Lets face it, it is very unlikely that anyone bot the Tories are ever going to get in in Alberta, at least not the Liberals or NDP!
Personally I want a leader who is going to start working for the people of Alberta instead of the big corporations! So I guess that leaves out Dinning? And I suppose any other person who was in cabinet!
Always liked Ted Morton. Guess I'll spend my $5 there.

[coppertop]

Cowman, Ted Morton will likely drop out of the race before too long. He doesn't have enough support to keep on to the end.

If you have the opportunity to attend a coffee meeting somewhere and hear Ed Stelmach, I think you will be very impressed with his views on engaging all Albertans in discussions on how they want their provinvial government to make decisions.

Check out his website at www.stelmach.ca. I have known Ed for 15 years and felt he was one of the best Agriculture Ministers we have had in a long time. During my years on council we dealt with him on numerous occasions when he was Minister of Transportation, he always is fully aware of the issues, and gives a straight answer.

He is a dedicated family man, has four great kids and has spent years volunteering for his owm community.

[WRAPper]

Was that your impression of Dinning when you met him Cowman? Or are you basing your decision on what you think rather than what you know???

[coppertop]

Dinning was the one that convinded the PC Caucus that 'deregulation will not fail'.

I don't know about your power bills these days but mine sure are significantly higher thanks to deregulation.

[ivbinconned]

rapper... I don't know how long you have been around here but cowman has always demonstrated good instincts and perceptions...his opinion will be based on what he knows!

[WRAPper]

Well then let him answer his own questions.

[coppertop]

My impression of any of the leadership candidates isn't necessarily from meeting them, I base my impression and opinion on their record of service as MLA's and Cabinet Ministers if applicable.

[WRAPper]

Upon reflection I should have asked my question of cowman differently I should have asked him whether his choice was based on personal encounters with any candidates or on distant observation. I wasn't supporting or attacking his viewpoint I'm just simply hoping the everyone who intends to vote in the leadership race really gets involved and engages those in the race and challenges all these people. I don't think any of them should get a vote without due diligence and will base my decision on both track records as well as their visions for the future of this province. Also giving extra points for the ones that have a strong workable and realistic Ag. policy.

[coppertop]

Whether an individual is Liberal, NDP, Alliance or whatever their political stripe the fact is that the PC's will be in power after the next election so having the opportunity to choose the next Premier is something Albertans should take advantage of. Our government must have a plan, and some sense of direction vs the ad hoc way of governing that has taken place over the past few years.

We can no longer be governed from the top down, Albertans must be engaged in deciding the direction they wish this province to go, with regard to resources, environment, agriculture and all services that affect people.

[ivbinconned]

Ted Morton is the ONLY one who would stand firm against a move on Alberta resourse revenues by central Canada!

He has written or co-written much on that subject and much more.

He has a web site too.

[coppertop]

Ted has many postitive qualities but he does not have the wide support necessary to get elected by party members. I am guessing that at least three of the candidates drop out within the next month.

It takes a huge campaign team to get the job done, much more organized than running for the nomination or provincial election in a candidates own constituency.

The candidates that I am afraid of are the ones that have senior executives from huge corporations working full time in their campaign. I will vote for the candidate that has grass roots support over big business any day.

[ivbinconned]

"grass-roots"...then Teds your man!

[coppertop]

Ted Morton is way toooo far right to suit me. He is an American by birth, and really hasn't been in the political scene nearly long enough to understand Albertans in my opinion.

Besides, if he did happen to win the leadership where would he find enough cabinet members whose thinking was as far right as his ?

He isn't the only candidate that is grass roots, I have heard each of them speak with the exception of Alana, and I don't think she is a serious contender.

[ivbinconned]

Please explain...what is there about him that is tooooo far right wing?

[coppertop]

As with any other political leanings, what I consider too far right may not be the same as what others do.

Morton is very rigid in my view, and, although I agree with a lot of his ideas, unfortunately society will not buy into many of them. His bill on same sex marriage is something I agree with, but in these times of the ' anything goes' philosophy, that bill won't likely ever get passed. I think if Ted were our premier we would have a lot of head butting with Ottawa on issues that could be resolved in a non confrontational manner.

As I said, I agree personally, with some of his views, but he won't get the leadership, and likely won't stay in the race very long. He doesn't have enough of an agriculture background to suit me either, although, he has certainly tried to get informed on the issues facing agriculture.

I think he and Doerksen will appeal to a lot of the same folks. It will be very interesting to see where they will throw their support when they aren't in the top of the voting, if they stay in the race that long.