A Ukrainian Farm Boy from Andrew Alberta

[cakadu]

Congratulations to Ed on his win. He is most deserving of it. For those of you who doubt his capabilities, remember that Sir Winston Churchill was not considered a leader by any stretch of the imagination until he rose to the occasion of the 2nd world war, where he really shone and united many.

I think it may be a little early in the game to maintain that the status quo is what is going to happen. How about giving the guy a chance.

[cowman]

Sadly grassfarmer I think you are right about the old back room boys calling the shots. I wonder if Stelmach will even make any changes in the cabinet? Why bother? The voters voted for no change?

[cropduster]

You got it caka.....give the guy a chance.......Can`t remember any stellar accomplishments when EDDIE was ag minister......some of the people south of Viking just remember him for the `untruth` about when or where the giant hog barn was to go in.......Don`t think he had a portfolio then,so that probably doesn`t count!!!!

[coppertop]

I am sure he will announce an excellent cabinet. Don't kid yourself, he has been doing a lot of thinking about who would fit in which role. I, for one, am looking forward to some of the policies he campaigned on put in place, once his caucus has approved them. The Premier isn't the only one involved in the selection of cabinet.

[ivbinconned]

I will never be able to understand those of you who get all excercized about the draining of Alberta wealth to those terrible American corporations, which is a DIRECT result of decades of poor FEDERAL policy and a debased currency.

And yet at the SAME TIME ignor and dismiss any Western Canadian voices that suggest we try and stop the draining of Alberta wealth to the golden triangle of central Canada... represented by a gang of thieves on a stage in Montreal saturday night.

This PC leadership race was the ONLY arena, and the ONLY place, right NOW, where ALBERTA could have had an IMPACT...and you blew it.

If Harper looses the next election...the pilage will make the past look like a picnic!

[wilagro]

Crying 'wolf' again Uwereconned or is that sour milk?

Albertan's made the correct choice even if they darned near stumbled.

This province doesn't need a rabble rousing, troublemaking Reformer Premier.

Thank goodness, cooler heads prevailed and problematic turmoil was thwarted.

[coppertop]

The fact is that Ed Stelmach received the highest number of 1 choice supporting votes, which is astounding, considering that he was in third place by quite a distance on the first ballot.

Albertan's who voted must have had good reason for voting the way they did, obviously the majority of party members were not ready for a REFORM premier. It is doubtful if we will have a provincial election until 2008, so the Reform party has plenty of time to get organized and run candidates in all constituencies, and test the waters.

[cowman]

Coppertop: I hate to tell you this but there is no Reform party in Alberta? Using your reasoning I guess you could say Stephen Harper is the REFORM primeminister? Maybe you don't support him either? Did you vote for Belinda in the CONSERVATIVE leadership race?
But you are certainly right about the majority of PC voters supporting Stelmach.
However with 28% or so voting for the right wing radical...I would say the Alberta Alliance should see some opportunity to make some inroads? Unless of course Stelmach can mend some fences?
I really wouldn't get to hung up on the number of PC voters however...I suspect for most it was a one time shot!
I am sure Stelmach will run a good well managed boring government, which will probably suit most apathetic Albertans? Hope when (if?) the crunch comes he's up to snuff!

[blackjack]

...the polls this morning ivbcon...fed libs...37% the conservatives 31%... and 17% for the ndp... could not agree with you more ivbcon... but albertans love their little perks...memory is a funny thing ...if oil patch dies the politicians here in alberta say they will cut back the spending ...i don't think it will be that easy the second time...whats that saying ...fool me once...fool me twice...lol

[coppertop]

cowman, if you read my comments you will see that I am suggesting to REFORMERS that they create a provincial party, run candidates and see how they do. I know it won't happen, because if Morton had any idea he could have gotten a Reform party up and running he would have done so vs running as a consertive in his constituency.

I know there were instant PC's in every camp, but obviously those that supported Ed Stelmach outnumbered the others and wanted to see a steady, stable man at the helm.

I can certainly sympathize with your view point though, would likely feel the same way if I had only been a PC for a day. Perhaps 28% voted for the radical right wing, but that faction only had two supporters in caucus. One nearly wore the tires off his vehicle getting in to Edmonton to be SEEN on camera praising the new leader, so doubt if he will cause many waves !!!!

The Dinning supporters in caucus have never had an issue with our new leader so I imagine they will be willing to work collectively to bring about some of the changes that all candidates put forth during the campaign.

Don't look for the RCMP to be disbanded or this government to spend many days at the next leg sitting dealing with same sex marriage either, but I do think that Morton's Bill 208 will likely be passed if it comes back off the order paper.

The main strong hold for Morton was in the south, and of course his own riding and Airdrie. Victor Doerksen ran on concern for water, plus family values etc., so I imagine he will be willing to work with Ed to address the water issue. Family values should never be a reason why people run for politics. It is a Motherhood and Applepie issue, and most thinking people would realize that all each candidate supported family values, who wouldn't ???

I have seen good, honest, clean living candidates tossed aside in favor of slimy skunks in some municipal elections, but the slime side usually rises to the top before long and the electorate is the loser when that happens.

Cowman, it seems that your main issue has been the fact that you don't care for your own MLA. Wonder if it is becausae of his work ethic, his track record as an MLA, or his personal life !!