Next Premier?

[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.

[ivbinconned]

I am serious here...tell us what you find about him that is tooo right wing???

Standing up and defending Alberta can not be achived by a compromiser. But a closet liberal calling himself a conservative may give the impression of a peacefull process...beware Alberta you have been poorly defended in the past by wolfs in sheeps clothing.

If you agree with Teds positions on issues...that is where to cast your first vote!

[coppertop]

I am sure that every candidate in the running will stand up and defend Alberta, but there are many issues we can work with the feds on since we got rid of the Liberals in Ottawa. I don't think we need to be at war with them.

My first vote is going to the individual I want to see as the next premier. I am sure the decision will take at least two ballots but I have no intention of wasting mine. And I doubt if Morton will stay in the running until the first ballot which will likely be the end of November.

The most important thing is that everyone who is concerned about the future of the province has, as cowman says, the opportunity to have their say for a $5.00 membership.

[ivbinconned]

Copper, remember Mulrony!

IF Harper gets his majority it will be thanks to Ontario or Quebec...NOT Alberta.

You still have not told us what is so "rightwing" about Ted???

[coppertop]

ivbin, what I consider right wing may not be what you or anyone else views as right wing. The leadership is a very important issue, regardless of who we support we need to ensure we buy a membership and vote. Alberta needs some vision, stability,and consistency in government. At this point in time our Province is awash with resource income, or so it looks to the rest of the country. We have ' no plan' to address the growth, we are exporting raw materials that are bringing us a pittance of what they could if they were refined here, we need consistency in leadership and a statesman at the helm of the Province who is not put there by big corporations. If the PC party chooses Ted Morton I will be very surprised, but stranger things have happened in Alberta politics !!!

[ivbinconned]

Coppertop,forgive for pressing you but these are your words "Ted Morton is way toooo far right to suit me. He is an American by birth,"!

"American", whats that got to do with anything??

I KNOW some may view things different than others, but YOU said it...so explain yourself. WHAT constitutes "tooo far right" in YOUR view????

[coppertop]

I will support a candidate that was born and raised in Alberta if they have the qualities I am looking for.

[ivbinconned]

I give up! Your reluctance to qualify your remarks demonstates a lack of credibility. A fox in the hen house!?

You are really not a "conservative"! But only trying to effect the outcome in an effort to move the province to the left. Away from corporate influence to...I don't know what...labor!!??

Take a good look at Saskatchewan or
B.C. and you will see where that has got us.

There will always be some entity haveing more influence on governance than their numbers warrant...fortunatly Alberta's government has been better than most despite being led by a liberal. Just think where you could have been if a genuine conservative had been at the head.

[coppertop]

Oh, now we see what you are getting at !! I think we need a premier that has a good understanding of all industries in the province, and not one that is a one trick pony !!!

Remember the party elected Ralph Klein and the party members are NOT liberal !!!

As far as saying I have no credibility goes, that's your take. The only person I have to convince about the suitability of each candidate to become leader is myself, I am paying the $5.00 and marking the ballot. If you choose to support Dr. Morton, then that's wonderful, at least you will have paid your money and taken advantage of the opportunity. The main thing to remember is that we as Albertan's don't get the opportunity to choose our Premier very often, so it's important to participate in the process.

[ivbinconned]

"Remember the party elected Ralph Klein and the party members are NOT liberal !!!"

On the contrary, as in the past, I suspect there will be many torys...red ones...trying to effect the outcome!