On Monday, Albertans will go to the polls in what is already being dubbed a “historic” election. The outcome is uncertain, so why not gaze into your crystal ball and enter the Daveberta and CalgaryGrit election pool. It’s simple enough – predict the seat totals for each party and answer
Continue readingTag: Alison Redford
David Climenhaga's Alberta Diary: If you have any doubts left Alberta’s Conservatives are done like dinner, this should settle ’em
“I never thought I’d vote PC” … just embarrassing. Below: Ralph Klein back when he was premier of Alberta; Saddam Hussein. If you have any doubts left there are only three more sleeps before the end of the Progressive Conservative Era in Alberta, look no further than the video and
Continue readingCalgaryGrit: Alberta Votes Day 24: Sleeping Arrangements at Minority Motel
Above: Preview of post-election Cabinet meetings? Despite a lackluster debate performance by Alison Redford, a pair of post-debate polls show the Wildrose margin down to 7 points. With daily controversies dogging Danielle Smith, there’s no guarantee that lead will hold and, even if it does, it’s impossible to accurately project
Continue readingDavid Climenhaga's Alberta Diary: Alberta needs a real progressive opposition, not a fake progressive conservative one
“Hi there, I’m progressive and she’s conservative…” Some Alberta political parties may be about as different as shown … and as creepy! Below: Pastor Hunsperger, Perfesser Morton and Rev. Trudeau. I know which one has my vote! Astonished to find itself with its back against a Wildrose wall, rejected by
Continue readingdaveberta.ca - Alberta politics blog: a wildrose government will need a real opposition.
Danielle Smith with Wildrose MLA's Paul Hinman, Heather Forsyth, and Rob Anderson in 2010. Despite questioning climate science and refusing to remove one candidate who railed against a policy to protect sexual minorities in public schools and another who claimed his skin colour as a political advantage, Danielle Smith‘s Wildrose Party appears set to
Continue readingDavid Climenhaga's Alberta Diary: What Danielle Smith thinks and why Alison Redford’s Tories aren’t fear mongering about it
Typical Albertans react to fear mongering by … well, by anyone, really. We frighten extremely easily out here on the Great Plains. Typical Albertans may not be exactly as illustrated – then again, according to the Wildrose Party, they may be. Below: Wildrose Leader Danielle Smith, “Progressive” Conservative Leader Alison
Continue readingCalgaryGrit: Alberta Votes Day 20: Notes From Week 3
On the Debate Reaction from yours truly, Hatrock, Santos, Tougas, and Daveberta. On Going Neg 1. A former Liberal MLA offers the PCs free advice on how to go neg, envisioning grainy and unflattering pictures of Smith with an ominous voice over warning “Danielle Smith wants to bring American-style health
Continue readingDavid Climenhaga's Alberta Diary: Peter Lougheed comes down from Olympus and endorses Alison Redford
Former Premier Peter Lougheed surveys the troubled scene in Alberta before endorsing Alison Redford. Some gods may not be exactly as illustrated. Below: Mr. Lougheed and Premiers William Aberhart and E.C. Manning. The Big Guy has spoken. And he says: “Vote for Alison Redford.” I don’t mean God. Bigger than
Continue readingCalgaryGrit: Alberta Votes Day 19: The Morning After
The hype machines were in overdrive for yesterday’s Alberta Leaders Debate, but the outcome was similar to most debates: steady but unspectacular performances from all the candidates, with the end result nothing more than re-enforcing existing attitudes. The post-debate Ipsos poll bears that out; when asked who won, 37% opted
Continue readingDavid Climenhaga's Alberta Diary: Last night’s TV leaders’ debate: Alison Redford won – but nothing’s that simple
The 2012 Alberta leadership debate’s dull set. From left to right: Brian Mason, Danielle Smith, Alison Redford, Raj Sherman. Below: Ms. Redford and Ms. Smith as they appeared on the debate. (Main phpoto grabbed from the Globe and Mail; the little ones from Daveberta.) I call it for Alison Redford
Continue readingdaveberta.ca - Alberta politics blog: no knockout punches as candidates give it 110% in alberta’s leaders’ debate.
Four of the main party leaders at last night's televised debate. After watching last night’s televised Leaders’ Debate, I am left wondering whether it will even have an effect on how Albertans vote on April 23. In many ways, the Leaders’ Debate felt like a microcosm of the entire election campaign.
Continue readingdaveberta.ca - Alberta politics blog: sparks will fly as party leaders take off their gloves at tonight’s “make or break” televised debate.
The televised leaders' debate starts tonight at 6:30pm. Tonight’s hotly anticipated televised Leaders’ Debate will be the first time that the four main party leaders have debated each other in this format. All eyes will be on Progressive Conservative Premier Alison Redford and Wildrose Party leader Danielle Smith, but do
Continue readingCalgaryGrit: Alberta Votes Day 18: Debate Night in Edmonton
More often than not, the Alberta leader’s debate is a mere formality, intended to create a vaneer of democracy in a province where elections tend to be meaningless. It’s barely worth watching, because even if someone delivers the mythic “knock out punch”, it doesn’t affect the election outcome. Hell, had
Continue readingDavid Climenhaga's Alberta Diary: Go figure! Elections Alberta demands group with no ads on website register for ads on website
A group of typical Albertan soccer moms thinks about whom to vote for. Their rifles are, of course, unregistered. But what about the opinions on their web page? Alberta Chief Electoral Office O. (for Olaf) Brian Fjeldheim. We may not have to register our rifles in Alberta, but folks out
Continue readingCalgaryGrit: Alberta Votes Day 17: Conservatives Attack Conservatives for Being Conservative
Alberta Tories play race card, call Wildrose party of old, white men in election EDMONTON – Alberta’s Progressive Conservatives appear to be actively painting their Wildrose opposition as the party of old, white males. Tory strategists in recent days have begun warning voters that the Wildrose roster of candidates is
Continue readingdaveberta.ca - Alberta politics blog: the reform-conservative family feud continues in alberta’s election.
Wildrose is under attack! The same people that caused the Liberal Party of Canada to be in power for 13 uninterrupted years now have Wildrose in their crosshairs. They want nothing more than to see the Redford PCs re-elected to impose their big government knows best, ivory tower views on
Continue readingDavid Climenhaga's Alberta Diary: One True Conservative Party and Other One True Conservative Party now said in dead heat
A typical Alberta soccer mom contemplates the differences between the province’s two conservative parties. The one on the left has indicated stronger support for public health care. According to the latest poll, Alberta’s election race has tightened significantly, and the province’s One True Conservative Party is now in a statistical
Continue readingdaveberta.ca - Alberta politics blog: communications problems.
A half-page advertisement promoting PC candidate Maureen Kubinec in the St. Albert Gazette. One of the most interesting features of the first two weeks of Alberta’s election campaign has been just how different the messaging of the two main campaigns have been. The challenging Wildrose Party has presented a campaign
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 readingDavid Climenhaga's Alberta Diary: Easter Weekend Campaign Update: Apparently 41 years in power makes you stupid!
Alberta’s listless governing Conservatives are getting creamed in the sign battle by the Wildrose Party, and even by the impoverished NDP. Above and below: NDP signs in Edmonton. Below: Yogi Berra, evidently as puzzled about this as the rest of us. We know that being in power for more than
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