Looks like Dave Taylor, Calgary Currie MLA and Deputy Leader, is going to be the first out of the Alberta Liberal leadership chute. He has an announcement scheduled for tomorrow morning. What do you think he is up to? What do you think he is going to say?
I wonder what his campaign theme will be. Let me think. How about change? That’s it. Let’s propose change as a reason for Albertans to believe. Everyone ran on change in the last election and Stelmach actually won on it. So, it clearly works. Besides people are used to the change slogans so we don’t have to spend (waste) money on focus groups. All we have to do is smile, shake hands, kiss babies and presume it still turns the citizen's crank. Come to think of it, as a campaign slogan, it may even turn up a few citizen cranks.
Yah, that's the winning ticket...change. Key message: "I'm an Alberta Liberal. Why not vote for me for a change?" That was the Liberal approach to the Alberta voter in the last election, and it produced surprising results I must say.
I am on the edge of my seat in anticipation of tomorrow's announcement. Let see if this postulate Premier learned any lessons from last March. I actually hope for much more than change but would not be surprised at less either. Either way, if Dave Taylor is in, I applaud him for taking the leap and wish him well.
Why don't you join his campaign Ken? You're a hard core Liberal.
ReplyDeleteActually he sounds like my kind of Progressive Conservative when he says: "We need to be business
ReplyDeletefriendly, fiscally responsible, and socially progressive."
I like socially progressive politicians who combine that with a conservation consciousness about fiscal and ecolgical matters.
I was right about him being another "change" candidate with this in his announcement "It’s about changing attitudes. It’s about changing political culture."
Good for him for being prepared to put himself forward. He would not be my choice to re-engage Albertans in politics. That said, we citizens must be grateful there are those amongst us like Dave Taylor who are prepared to step up to the political plate.
I agree with anon. However, as most federal liberals provincial PCs, Ken will only stick to the "natural governing parties". His a "PCer of convenience".
ReplyDeleteOh that's right, a lefty like you you'd prefer a more co..I mean socialist person like Lori Blakeman.
ReplyDeleteI hope he campaigns against the current governmnet policy of shipping bitumen out of the province. This is a massive loss of wealth.
ReplyDeleteStelmach is opposed to same sex marriage and is highly religious. I suppose you would disapprove of his social views.
ReplyDeleteIt is a sad day indeed for the Alberta PC Party when they have liberals like you in the sidelines. Hancock and his reign will soon be over.
I can disagree with people without being disagreeable and can still respect their points of view.
ReplyDeleteI am pro-same sex marriage but don't think everyone needs to agree with me. I know Ed Stelmach feels the same way about respecting differences of opinion and values. We can thrive on our differences and not make them barriers to mutual respect and understanding.
The "we-they" mentality does not work in a pluralistic world and in a diverse society like Alberta Anon.
The left-right political framing that is so characterisitic of the far right and far left is also outdated and tired. Harper's Neo-cons and Greenpeace Activists are the polar opposite politically. But together they are the epitome of seeking simple minded didactic answers to complex issues.
Those hardline "I am right and your are wrong" battle lines simply don't work in a very changing and uncertain world. You can't perfect yesterday Anon. You need to adapt to today's and tomorrow's realities.
Very well put, Ken.
ReplyDeleteLeft-right is very much relevant today. What's completely irrelevant? People who claim to be a "red tory" when in any other province they'd be Liberal or NDP.
ReplyDeleteSorry anon- political labels and demands of ideological purity by the extremists in politcal parties is turning people off participating in the democratic process.
ReplyDeleteStay in the past and insist that I have to think like you to be Progressive and Conservative. But it will not make for better politics or a better government nor a more enthusiastic and engaged citizenry in public policy and the issues of the day.
Harper's hackers and whackers have been using the Bush technique of if you are not overtly with me - it is presumed you are against me that therefore you must be in support of the enemy. Dangerous stuff.
That narrow minded and bullying neo-Republican and neo-Con attitude is the real enemy of engaged, informed and participatory citizen based democracy these days.
It has shown that Harper has his base support that he bolsters inspite of his Quebec pandering intended to obtain personal political power.
But it is obvious there is no growth potential in his political party nor in his personal political fortunes either. For the 2.5 years he has been in power he has stagnated even with the weakest of political opposition. Folks are losing faith in the Cons and, given thier record and lack of substance, it is understandable.
Canadians voted for him as a new broom. A new guy who promissed to bring accountability and integrity back into public life. On all such accounts at best he has been a charlitan - at worst - a fraud.
His best political days are clearly behind him and he has been such a disappointment.
Now he does not know where to go next, having accomplish so little and so immodestly at that. As such, his ability and capacity for real leadership has proven to be wanting. His rigid message control, abusive behaviour and lack of respect for citizens and institutions shows that much is lacking in him now as being appropriate to serve as our Prime Minister.
Canadians are catching on to that fact and will soon be moving on - moving past Stephen Harper who will go as Bush goes. Without Bush in power why would any thinking Canadian stay with Steve?
That is a good question. Bush's foreign policies have benefitted the world and have resulted in unprecedented peace. He will be revered as one of the great leaders of all time.
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