There was a seismic shift in Alberta politics this week. Only time will tell if it’s a real earthquake that brings down two (or maybe three) parties, or whether it just grunts and groans and nothing happens. On Wednesday, Wildrose party leader Brian Jean and new Progressive Conservative party leader
Continue readingTag: Alberta election 2012
In This Corner: Stuff Happens, week 14: Oilers get lucky; Hillary hits the road.
The “big story” this week is one that may have long-term implications. Of course, I’m talking about the Edmonton Oilers literally defying the odds and winning the no. 1 NHL draft pick for 2015. This is a big deal because the kid who will be the no. 1 pick, Connor
Continue readingIn This Corner: Stuff happens, week 9: Mirror, mirror on the wall, who is the dumbest of them all?
The halo over Jim Prentice is getting more and more tarnished. Prentice, who has been on a PR offensive over his upcoming budget and unnecessary and illegal election, put his foot in it on CBC Radio on Thursday. Prentice told listeners that when it comes to Alberta’s economic woes, everyone
Continue readingIn This Corner: The year in political bloopers.
Ah, politics. It has the potential to inspire, and an even greater potential to inspire derisive laughter or fits of rage. Here, for your reading and enraging enjoyment, are my choices for the top 10 political blunders of 2012, local edition. 1. Allan Hunsperger and the ‘lake of fire’ In
Continue readingIn This Corner: Whither the Liberals: a post-mortem
One hundred and twenty-three thousand, seven hundred and seventeen. That’s not the number of votes the Alberta Liberals got in the not-so historic election of 2012 — that’s the number of votes the Liberals LOST from the 2008 election. The final Liberal vote count was slightly better than half that
Continue readingScott's DiaTribes: Sanity prevails in both Ontario and Alberta.
Well, this is actually a half-satisfying morning for me – one I haven’t had in Canadian political affairs for quite awhile. First, the Ontario Liberals and NDP came to an agreement yesterday that will allow the Ontario Liberals Budget to pass, and avert an election a mere 6 months after
Continue readingDavid Climenhaga's Alberta Diary: Alberta campaign ends with all-party disobedience of Fourth Commandment
Just stepped off an interstellar Greyhound from Alpha Centauri, AB? Alberta Diary is here to help. Toronto media here to cover the campaign may not be exactly as illustrated. Below: Tom Flanagan. As the 2012 Alberta election campaign moves through its final 24 hours this Sabbath day, all party leaders
Continue readingcenterandleft: Wildrose Modernization of Democracy
The majority of Albertans are finding themselves dissatisfied with a Redford government they see as wasteful and bulky, and are savouring the opportunity for change. The last time citizens were upset to this degree with the Progressive Conservatives, they seriously considered a Liberal government in 1993, boosting the Grit seat
Continue readingIn This Corner: Now is the time for all good Liberals to come to the aid of their party.
Important note: The following blog is intended only for people who usually vote Liberal, but who are thinking of switching their vote to either the PCs (to stop the Wildrose) or to the Wildrose (to defeat the PCs). Unwavering PC supporters, bedrock Wildrose supporters and compulsive NDP backers, please leave
Continue readingIn This Corner: MLAs Behaving Badly.
Today, for your amusement/outrage, your humble correspondent presents MLAs Behaving Badly. By sheer coincidence, all of the MLAs in this blog are PCs. Seriously, it’s just a coincidence. Thomas Lukaszuk The first example of an MLA Behaving Badly was widely reported: Thomas ‘Tommy Boy’ Lukaszuk’s run-in with a constituent. You
Continue readingIn This Corner: Wildrose or PCs? Having fingernails pulled out, or toenails?
The other day, one of my sons (the one who actually knows there’s an election going on) asked me which I would prefer: a Progressive Conservative government, or a Wildrose government. I had time to think about my answer, as the mere thought of that Sophie’s Choice resulted in a
Continue readingIn This Corner: Memo to PCs: Here’s how to go negative on Danielle Smith
OK, PC party, listen up. I’ve been cheering for your demise ever since Peter Lougheed stepped down, so I really shouldn’t be giving you any advice. And please, don’t take this as any kind of endorsement. But seriously, people. You guys just do NOT know how to campaign. I mean,
Continue readingIn This Corner: Let the pushback begin: Wildrose in the crosshairs
Albertans pay little attention to politics at the best of times. Even during elections, the public shows little interest until about two weeks before the vote. Well, here we are, about two weeks before the vote. Let the real campaign begin. For the crafty, well-financed and nasty Wildrose party, the
Continue readingIn This Corner: Election Day 1: The BS hits the fan
Ah, election time. The promises are flying, candidates come out of hiding, and the lowly, forgotten voter becomes the belle of the ball. The election is underway, so let the blogging begin! I Call Bullshit On That #1: Alison Redford came out swinging at the Wildrose, saying the party killed
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