Morton: Jim, I want you to know that if I am not welcome in your Alberta, you'll be welcome in mine.
My favourite line of the night complements Larry Johnsrude.
My stupid quote of the night.
Dinning: I do worry a little bit when I hear the words family values bandied about.
There are others oh and I total disagree with Dinning on the Mazankowski Report I read that report if it was not talking about some degree of private health what exactly was it talking about Jim?
Thursday, November 30, 2006
Leadership debate a review
As someone who has done debate prep, having been in a few TV debates and watched these guys a few times now I thought I would give my impressions on the Debate.
Fashion:
Dinning - ouch your tie is blinding me... Orange may be party colours but your tie GLOWs on TV.
Morton - Ted, no patterns no stripes no checks you did them all. It may look great in person but it looked just wrong on TV. Red power tie out out out.
Stelmach - Almost perfect. the glasses were distracting and late in the debate you looked like you were struggling with the lights...
Body Style:
Stelmach - understated for the most part... looked down too much especially at the end when he bumped his notes into frame.
Dinning - Wow more and more I am picturing Paul Martin, or is it Brian Mulroney. The constant pointing and hand waving did little to do with getting his point across just made him distracting. Oh and no one likes to be pointed at.
Morton - um and um and um dunno if it is a speech issue or what but that was his biggest distraction. I liked the fact that he smiled but did not smirk like Harper.
What they said:
Morton - As you can imagine I believed he had a good night. I thought he got some good comebacks in but did not hit a homerun. If he is playing the role of frontrunner he is accomplishing a good strategy.
Stelmach - Had some good linking but his whole campaign may have been destroyed by his last statement where he ended up staring at his notes that were crawling farther and farther into the frame. Still seems like an ok #2.
Dinning - Took a few cheap shots as you would imagine someone trailing would do. He scored few hits and probably lost points with his circular answer to why Morton would exclude some from the party but he would um somehow include everyone but well Morton's people.
Dinning
Fashion:
Dinning - ouch your tie is blinding me... Orange may be party colours but your tie GLOWs on TV.
Morton - Ted, no patterns no stripes no checks you did them all. It may look great in person but it looked just wrong on TV. Red power tie out out out.
Stelmach - Almost perfect. the glasses were distracting and late in the debate you looked like you were struggling with the lights...
Body Style:
Stelmach - understated for the most part... looked down too much especially at the end when he bumped his notes into frame.
Dinning - Wow more and more I am picturing Paul Martin, or is it Brian Mulroney. The constant pointing and hand waving did little to do with getting his point across just made him distracting. Oh and no one likes to be pointed at.
Morton - um and um and um dunno if it is a speech issue or what but that was his biggest distraction. I liked the fact that he smiled but did not smirk like Harper.
What they said:
Morton - As you can imagine I believed he had a good night. I thought he got some good comebacks in but did not hit a homerun. If he is playing the role of frontrunner he is accomplishing a good strategy.
Stelmach - Had some good linking but his whole campaign may have been destroyed by his last statement where he ended up staring at his notes that were crawling farther and farther into the frame. Still seems like an ok #2.
Dinning - Took a few cheap shots as you would imagine someone trailing would do. He scored few hits and probably lost points with his circular answer to why Morton would exclude some from the party but he would um somehow include everyone but well Morton's people.
Dinning
Wednesday, November 29, 2006
A phone call from Dinning
or at least one of his workers...
"Hello I am calling today to find out if you are voting on Saturday?"
Jonathan: "Yes"
"So are you planning on voting for Jim Dinning?"
"No"
" You know that you have a second preference would you select Jim for the second choice?"
"No"
"So you are planning on voting for both extremes?"
"I might just vote for one..."
"oh."
So I am guessing that puts Ed on the left of Jim according to the caller? Thats a new one on me. Even Ralph Klein considered Jim the left wing Candidate.
"Hello I am calling today to find out if you are voting on Saturday?"
Jonathan: "Yes"
"So are you planning on voting for Jim Dinning?"
"No"
" You know that you have a second preference would you select Jim for the second choice?"
"No"
"So you are planning on voting for both extremes?"
"I might just vote for one..."
"oh."
So I am guessing that puts Ed on the left of Jim according to the caller? Thats a new one on me. Even Ralph Klein considered Jim the left wing Candidate.
Negative campaign could backfire
Dinning has gone negative in exactly the wrong fashion. He has ignored the fact that he will need the voters he is slamming. It is exactly this arrogance against social conservatives that gave this province an Alliance MLA.
William McBeath over at Noises on the Right takes a part the latest hatchet job.
I hope PCs realize that their government is dependent on largely rural social conservatives 62 MLAs 41 of whom do not come from Edmonton or Calgary. Even if you discount a few of the urban left like Lethbridge West and Fort McMurray there are still a great deal of seats that are dependent on social conservatives for votes. Seats that allow the Tories to have government.
Imagine if 20 of those forty got split between the Liberals and the Alliance... Suddenly you have a weak government clinging to a majority by 1 seat (which would be forfitted to the Speaker) having to rely on the Alliance to make sure legislation passed?
If the Tories think they have it hard now... just wait.
The hatchet job Dinning is trying to do has almost by default put Ted Morton in the front runner position. It my mind it smacks of desperation, you are afraid you cannot win so you go negative to push the air out of the others campaign.
The stupidest thing in my mind, Dinning has gone and done almost exactly the same campaign tactic used by Paul Martin and Jean Chretien. I cannot see that winning over votes. If these voters are already angry this will just make them more committed to come out and vote.
In other words they have just took a stick to a hornets nest. It is a fools errand. If anything it will bring more votes to Morton while sending votes to Stelmach because Dinning will be seen as too negative.
Negative campaigns usually are to motivate your base and deflate the other guys... not sure this will do either.
William McBeath over at Noises on the Right takes a part the latest hatchet job.
I hope PCs realize that their government is dependent on largely rural social conservatives 62 MLAs 41 of whom do not come from Edmonton or Calgary. Even if you discount a few of the urban left like Lethbridge West and Fort McMurray there are still a great deal of seats that are dependent on social conservatives for votes. Seats that allow the Tories to have government.
Imagine if 20 of those forty got split between the Liberals and the Alliance... Suddenly you have a weak government clinging to a majority by 1 seat (which would be forfitted to the Speaker) having to rely on the Alliance to make sure legislation passed?
If the Tories think they have it hard now... just wait.
The hatchet job Dinning is trying to do has almost by default put Ted Morton in the front runner position. It my mind it smacks of desperation, you are afraid you cannot win so you go negative to push the air out of the others campaign.
The stupidest thing in my mind, Dinning has gone and done almost exactly the same campaign tactic used by Paul Martin and Jean Chretien. I cannot see that winning over votes. If these voters are already angry this will just make them more committed to come out and vote.
In other words they have just took a stick to a hornets nest. It is a fools errand. If anything it will bring more votes to Morton while sending votes to Stelmach because Dinning will be seen as too negative.
Negative campaigns usually are to motivate your base and deflate the other guys... not sure this will do either.
Monday, November 27, 2006
Time For Ted - my endorsement
Normally when we have gone through a voting process I think it is important to congratulate people for voting. With the lack of interest in politics today I have always felt it important to encourage people to continue to take part in the process.
Today however we are still in a campaign. So my purpose for writing this is to encourage people do more than vote. I want to tell you why Ted Morton is the best choice.
Why, well you may have seen your candidate finish out of the top three as people who voted for Lyle Oberg. You may also have voted for one of the remaining contenders for similar good reasons.
Here is why I think it is critical to vote for Ted if you voted for someone else. If you were an Oberg voter you probably voted for him because he was the candidate that told the truth, that Premier Ralph Klein needed to go. Oberg represented the outsider role of someone who could govern. Well Ted is not beholden to the Calgary Klein crew either. He is not a member of the elite and he understands the needs of urban and rural Alberta as much as anyone.
Let me ask the Tory voters some questions. Are you happy with status quo or do you want to see significant change? Do you want same sex marriage to stand or do you want protection for religious leaders or marriage commissioners against being sued, brought before human rights commissions for practicing their faith?
Do you want a government that can stand up to Ottawa, offer a pension plan that will protect our elderly rather than just steal money from the young? Do you want a government which believes in democratic reforms, fixed election dates or one that is happy asking your opinion once in four years?
Do you believe Ralph Klein, Iris Evans, Gordon Graydon, Don Mazankowski and seven of the eight leadership contenders when they said that health care is currently unsustainable? Or do you believe someone who comes from the Kevin Taft school that says health care needs only minor tinkering?
Do you want a Liberal or Conservative government?
If your answer to these the way I think you will then there is only one choice in this leadership vote. Ted Morton is the only one advocating for all these things. I believe he offers the best chance to reform the PC party and avoid a situation where the right splinters even more.
If Tories want Alliance leader Paul Hinman to be joined by 10-16 more MLAs next time they had better vote for Jim Dinning. If they want real reform than it is time for change, it is as simple as that.
Finally, if you support Ed Stelmach and consider him a real choice, I respect that. However, can I recommend one additional thing? Put a 2 by Ted after you vote for Ed. It will give us the change we want no matter who wins.
Today however we are still in a campaign. So my purpose for writing this is to encourage people do more than vote. I want to tell you why Ted Morton is the best choice.
Why, well you may have seen your candidate finish out of the top three as people who voted for Lyle Oberg. You may also have voted for one of the remaining contenders for similar good reasons.
Here is why I think it is critical to vote for Ted if you voted for someone else. If you were an Oberg voter you probably voted for him because he was the candidate that told the truth, that Premier Ralph Klein needed to go. Oberg represented the outsider role of someone who could govern. Well Ted is not beholden to the Calgary Klein crew either. He is not a member of the elite and he understands the needs of urban and rural Alberta as much as anyone.
Let me ask the Tory voters some questions. Are you happy with status quo or do you want to see significant change? Do you want same sex marriage to stand or do you want protection for religious leaders or marriage commissioners against being sued, brought before human rights commissions for practicing their faith?
Do you want a government that can stand up to Ottawa, offer a pension plan that will protect our elderly rather than just steal money from the young? Do you want a government which believes in democratic reforms, fixed election dates or one that is happy asking your opinion once in four years?
Do you believe Ralph Klein, Iris Evans, Gordon Graydon, Don Mazankowski and seven of the eight leadership contenders when they said that health care is currently unsustainable? Or do you believe someone who comes from the Kevin Taft school that says health care needs only minor tinkering?
Do you want a Liberal or Conservative government?
If your answer to these the way I think you will then there is only one choice in this leadership vote. Ted Morton is the only one advocating for all these things. I believe he offers the best chance to reform the PC party and avoid a situation where the right splinters even more.
If Tories want Alliance leader Paul Hinman to be joined by 10-16 more MLAs next time they had better vote for Jim Dinning. If they want real reform than it is time for change, it is as simple as that.
Finally, if you support Ed Stelmach and consider him a real choice, I respect that. However, can I recommend one additional thing? Put a 2 by Ted after you vote for Ed. It will give us the change we want no matter who wins.
Sunday, November 26, 2006
Now Oberg joins Stelmach
So Oberg joins Hancock in supporting Stemach. I wonder what that means for Morton and Dinning.
What happens if Norris and McPherson join Stelmach?
Up until now I was under an impression that Oberg and Morton were supporting each other from conversations I have had with various people. Maybe that was the case if Oberg finished second or third.
Now I wonder what will happen if Stelmach can turn any of that support into action. Could you imagine if Stelmach could pip the other two?
That would be a real kick in the pants. Dunno this is really shaping up to be an interesting battle. I suspect Oberg's southern rural support with collapse into Mortons anyways because people down their do not know who Stelmach is.
The second interesting thing will be to see if Stelmach Morton and Dinning will be much more on the attack in the next TV forum which apparently has been scheduled for this week.
This PC Leadership has just got extremely interesting.
What happens if Norris and McPherson join Stelmach?
Up until now I was under an impression that Oberg and Morton were supporting each other from conversations I have had with various people. Maybe that was the case if Oberg finished second or third.
Now I wonder what will happen if Stelmach can turn any of that support into action. Could you imagine if Stelmach could pip the other two?
That would be a real kick in the pants. Dunno this is really shaping up to be an interesting battle. I suspect Oberg's southern rural support with collapse into Mortons anyways because people down their do not know who Stelmach is.
The second interesting thing will be to see if Stelmach Morton and Dinning will be much more on the attack in the next TV forum which apparently has been scheduled for this week.
This PC Leadership has just got extremely interesting.
Where things go now
With a day to think about this vote I am even more convinced that Morton has Dinning in big trouble.
Why? - well I suspect much of the urban vote of Obergs will disappear as they have no reason to vote. I think that support was very much Obergs.
Second point, I think Stelmach's rural vote will have marked a lot of 2's for Morton. While Dinning will come up to a degree I think his treatment of Hancock via his supporters and clumsy efforts with MLA supporters hanging around the polls is part of what is coming back to bite him.
Should be an interesting week. I expect to be at the final vote in Edmonton Saturday. I am also going to be doing some writing over the coming week. Time to do some lobbying for my preferred candidate.
Why? - well I suspect much of the urban vote of Obergs will disappear as they have no reason to vote. I think that support was very much Obergs.
Second point, I think Stelmach's rural vote will have marked a lot of 2's for Morton. While Dinning will come up to a degree I think his treatment of Hancock via his supporters and clumsy efforts with MLA supporters hanging around the polls is part of what is coming back to bite him.
Should be an interesting week. I expect to be at the final vote in Edmonton Saturday. I am also going to be doing some writing over the coming week. Time to do some lobbying for my preferred candidate.
Saturday, November 25, 2006
Well well well...again
I think I remember saying Oberg support was crap... proved out
I remember saying Stelmach was stronger than people though... proved out
I remember saying Morton would be second and around 20%.... proved out
I remember saying Dinning would be lucky to make 34% which he has not.
Folks I do not normally gloat but.... smug mode on!!
I remember saying Stelmach was stronger than people though... proved out
I remember saying Morton would be second and around 20%.... proved out
I remember saying Dinning would be lucky to make 34% which he has not.
Folks I do not normally gloat but.... smug mode on!!
Voting today
Well my wife and I cast our ballot this morning. There was no partisanship around the poll and it moved very quickly considering the number of people there. They even pulled people like my wife out of line to buy their memberships and then put them back at the front of the line when they finished.
Class act for the Edmonton Whitemud Constituency. Way to have things running smoothly.
However an interesting observation. When looking at the ballot it seemed it was Alphabetical by last name but Morton was Under Norris.
Should be a long night for the counters...
Class act for the Edmonton Whitemud Constituency. Way to have things running smoothly.
However an interesting observation. When looking at the ballot it seemed it was Alphabetical by last name but Morton was Under Norris.
Should be a long night for the counters...
Nigel Hannaford's take is about right
Calgary Herald Columnist and City Editor Nigel Hannaford has an interesting take on the tory leadership. It is behind a subscription barrier so let me just hit the highlites.
What if it's Morton?
The word in political geekdom is that this race is now down to Dinning and
Morton, and if true-blue Morton gets it, the party will split as all the Red
Tories flee in terror.
So, it's stay-the-course with Jim, or conservative renewal with
Ted.
However, the Alberta Alliance, with a cut-and-paste platform and barely an
organization, grabbed a respectable 77,500 despite a historic low voter turnout,
and elected an MLA. These people did not cross over from the Liberals, or the
NDP. That was a right-wing rebellion of committed PC voters.
The other 110,000 just stayed home, which is rebellion of a different
sort, but just as deadly.
Sure, Morton doesn't care for gay marriage. But, neither does a slight
majority of Albertans, and in any case, there's far more to him than that: a
stronger Alberta, saving oil revenues, better health care, democratic reform,
and so on.
It's principled-conservatism all right, but one thing about Ted: What
you see, is what you're likely to get. A lot of people like that, even if
they're not 100 per cent lined up with everything he says. I guess we'll see how
many, later today.
At any rate, I doubt a Morton win would be any worse for the party than a
Dinning win. Those who like the clean-up job a new broom does, might even prefer
it.So there you have it! A good estimation if Morton happens to win. If you want to read it all go to the Calgary Herald Website
Friday, November 24, 2006
Unofficial support returns to official support on the eve of the vote?
The Alberta Alliance Party has sent out an email today encouraging members to vote for the PC Leader and vote for Ted Morton.
We are on the eve of a very important vote for Alberta. It is not just an election for a leader of a rival party, but the premier of our province. I am attaching an article you may find interesting, it was published yesterday and includes comments on the Alberta Alliance Party from Ted Morton.
Regards,
Jane Greydanus
CFO Alberta Alliance
Partyhttp://calsun.canoe.ca/News/Columnists/Corbella_Licia/2006/11/23/2460040-sun.html
You can read the article for yourself. I did not include it for space reason. It certainly looks like the on again off again battle to support Morton is on again. I am left to wonder if that is why there are rumours of a revolt in the council.
The consequences of this should be very interesting.
Thursday, November 23, 2006
Well well well...
Something I said right from the beginning of this "Polling" is when you ask all Albertans and do not restrict the poll to members of the party you will get a very slanted poll.
Well look what happens when you restrict it to just party members you get:
Dinning, Morton virtually tied in Tory race
Dinning 21%
Morton 18%
I suspect when the vote is taken Dinnings support will probably put him closer to 30% but I think Morton's will carry him over 20%. As I have said before once you get to the second ballot all bets are off.
Then they question will be which of these two is more unpalatable for the members who voted for other contenders.
Well look what happens when you restrict it to just party members you get:
Dinning, Morton virtually tied in Tory race
Dinning 21%
Morton 18%
I suspect when the vote is taken Dinnings support will probably put him closer to 30% but I think Morton's will carry him over 20%. As I have said before once you get to the second ballot all bets are off.
Then they question will be which of these two is more unpalatable for the members who voted for other contenders.
Wednesday, November 22, 2006
Wow what a website.
So check this out... things are getting VEEERY interesting now... time to email a few friends in the media.
Rumours amongst Alliance friends
I am hearing a rumour or two that things are not going well amongst my old Alliance chums.
While I am loathed to comment to much on this it might be an important time to mention that in BC the Reform party went from real threat to nothing over one election period thanks to bruised egos and lack of clear thinking.
I am not going go into specifics here... to protect the innocent but really grow up people. Get a little practical or at least a little bit pragmatic when it comes to these things. Having hurt feelings has allowed the Alberta PCs to have a free pass for quite some time.
But hey that is just me.
While I am loathed to comment to much on this it might be an important time to mention that in BC the Reform party went from real threat to nothing over one election period thanks to bruised egos and lack of clear thinking.
I am not going go into specifics here... to protect the innocent but really grow up people. Get a little practical or at least a little bit pragmatic when it comes to these things. Having hurt feelings has allowed the Alberta PCs to have a free pass for quite some time.
But hey that is just me.
Ted Morton is the Man
So it is only three days to go before vote for the first ballot of the PC Leadership. Three days before the wheat and chaff are seperated.
So with that in mind let me get my prediction meter running.
1. Jim Dinning - For Jim to take this thing on Saturday he needs a miracle on the first ballot. There is just too many candidates out there for him to grab 50% + 1 needed to take the thing. In fact I would be surprised if he is over 34% on the first ballot.
2. Ted Morton - I think Ted finishes either second or third based on his strength which lies in rural areas and with the federal Tories. It may be more than enough to out weigh the others in this race. But he cannot take this on the first ballot. In fact he will be hard pressed to get far above 20%.
3. Ed Stelmach - As funny as this may sound to people in the south Ed has some strong support up in the north and central part of the province. I suspect he may finish third. Which might bode ill for the top two contenders. He is a wild card politically even if he is a horrid speaker.
4. Lyle Oberg - bussing in ethnics on the advanced poll... who knows what going on elsewhere... Lyle could easily finish anywhere from 2 - 4 in fact I would not be surprised if he and Morton are flipped on this.
5. Mark Norris - strong showing in Edmonton, a little support everywhere else... name value gets him this far but unless I am very much surprised I think Steady Eddie is the Northern candidates to make it to the second round.
6. Dave Hancock - The last three contenders are little more than also rans probably floating from 1-4% on voting day. Hancock is the strongest left but has no support outside of Edmonton. I suspect his also ran status is sealed.
7. Gary McPherson - I think Gary may appeal to enough voters not to come bottom simply because his message was exactly what he needed it to be. To me, save for his social liberalism, he has been a breath of fresh air compared to most of the rest.
8. Victor Doerksen - nobody is voting for Victor. Most social conservatives will go to Morton and Victor has no real platform to run on, you cannot out Dinning Dinning but he gave it a go. He will run bottom and probably score a blip on the map.
So there are my predictions. Probably as educated a guess as anyone else. No one other than maybe the campaign teams of the top four really have a clue what is going to happen on Saturday. Weather, lack of new members, busing in voters and Get Out The Vote (GOTV) campaigns are the only real varients to what happens on Saturday.
No matter what happens, this has been a boring race. You have to wonder about what we are being left with when Ralph Klein is the biggest star on the campaign trail. Well only a short time and we will know the truth.
Oh and hey you might want to check out this little ditty put together by the Ted Morton team. It is fun if nothing else... though I cannot stand country music.
So with that in mind let me get my prediction meter running.
1. Jim Dinning - For Jim to take this thing on Saturday he needs a miracle on the first ballot. There is just too many candidates out there for him to grab 50% + 1 needed to take the thing. In fact I would be surprised if he is over 34% on the first ballot.
2. Ted Morton - I think Ted finishes either second or third based on his strength which lies in rural areas and with the federal Tories. It may be more than enough to out weigh the others in this race. But he cannot take this on the first ballot. In fact he will be hard pressed to get far above 20%.
3. Ed Stelmach - As funny as this may sound to people in the south Ed has some strong support up in the north and central part of the province. I suspect he may finish third. Which might bode ill for the top two contenders. He is a wild card politically even if he is a horrid speaker.
4. Lyle Oberg - bussing in ethnics on the advanced poll... who knows what going on elsewhere... Lyle could easily finish anywhere from 2 - 4 in fact I would not be surprised if he and Morton are flipped on this.
5. Mark Norris - strong showing in Edmonton, a little support everywhere else... name value gets him this far but unless I am very much surprised I think Steady Eddie is the Northern candidates to make it to the second round.
6. Dave Hancock - The last three contenders are little more than also rans probably floating from 1-4% on voting day. Hancock is the strongest left but has no support outside of Edmonton. I suspect his also ran status is sealed.
7. Gary McPherson - I think Gary may appeal to enough voters not to come bottom simply because his message was exactly what he needed it to be. To me, save for his social liberalism, he has been a breath of fresh air compared to most of the rest.
8. Victor Doerksen - nobody is voting for Victor. Most social conservatives will go to Morton and Victor has no real platform to run on, you cannot out Dinning Dinning but he gave it a go. He will run bottom and probably score a blip on the map.
So there are my predictions. Probably as educated a guess as anyone else. No one other than maybe the campaign teams of the top four really have a clue what is going to happen on Saturday. Weather, lack of new members, busing in voters and Get Out The Vote (GOTV) campaigns are the only real varients to what happens on Saturday.
No matter what happens, this has been a boring race. You have to wonder about what we are being left with when Ralph Klein is the biggest star on the campaign trail. Well only a short time and we will know the truth.
Oh and hey you might want to check out this little ditty put together by the Ted Morton team. It is fun if nothing else... though I cannot stand country music.
Tuesday, November 21, 2006
So you are leader of the Official Opposition
you have made your best showing since 1997 in the previous election largely on the back of PC voters rejection of the no plan Tories. So you got 16 MLAs, and save for three recounts and one judicial review it would have been 17.
So what do you do? You fire one of your MLAs!
Does that make sense? Apparently it does to Kevin Taft.
Wonder what will happen with Backs, will he remain an independent or will he go to another party? What does it say about the Liberal caucus that 16 people cannot work together.
So what do you do? You fire one of your MLAs!
Does that make sense? Apparently it does to Kevin Taft.
Wonder what will happen with Backs, will he remain an independent or will he go to another party? What does it say about the Liberal caucus that 16 people cannot work together.
Thursday, November 16, 2006
Call of Duty
Hi... if any of you own an Xbox 360 Call of Duty 3 is awesome.
Multiplayer is probably my favourite part.
Nonstickrock is my handle (yah Microsoft gave me that one.)
Multiplayer is probably my favourite part.
Nonstickrock is my handle (yah Microsoft gave me that one.)
Wednesday, November 15, 2006
Hot times in the city...
Well it is finally warming up. So instead of icy and slick it is wet and slushy... fun.
On another note people are finally coming to grips with the idea that their are also rans in the PC Leadership see Renewing the One Party State for further updates.
On another matter I will be working at City Hall for a few weeks. It might be interesting change of pace.
Speaking of that, today was the first day I entered City Hall here in Edmonton. It certainly tries to overwhelm you with scale. The windowed pyramids at the top of the building are intimidating archatecture amazing to think of all the fuss it created when they first started to plan for it in 1989. I still think the Pyramids look better than cones btw.
On another note people are finally coming to grips with the idea that their are also rans in the PC Leadership see Renewing the One Party State for further updates.
On another matter I will be working at City Hall for a few weeks. It might be interesting change of pace.
Speaking of that, today was the first day I entered City Hall here in Edmonton. It certainly tries to overwhelm you with scale. The windowed pyramids at the top of the building are intimidating archatecture amazing to think of all the fuss it created when they first started to plan for it in 1989. I still think the Pyramids look better than cones btw.
Tuesday, November 14, 2006
PC leadership forum the 10% factor
So last night I went to the Edmonton PC Leadership forum, or tried to I apparently did not really know where the Mayfield Inn was so after looking through the phone book (because neither paper told you where the forum was taking place) I found my way their about 30 minutes after the start.
Unfortunately in talking to William McBeath (Ted Morton's man in Edmonton) from Noises on the Right the best action was before the event started.
The forum itself was a poorly designed event if you were wanting the Candidates to differentiate themselves. They were asked 16 questions from the "attendees" but all of which was read by the moderator.
Honestly I thought they were lobbyist canned questions so the answers were just as exciting.
The forum proceedure favours Dinning. It allows him to make points with no real challenge. It allows for now back and forth and while that may be the only way to go when you have 7 people on the stage it is boring.
Things I noticed about the Candidates:
Jim Dinning - the front runner never said anything that would hurt himself because to be blunt he doesn't say ANYTHING.
Lyle Oberg - tried to hard to play the martyr. He was taken apart on that by Hancock during the forum. He has some entertaining supporters but not many at the event.
Ed Stelmach - a better speaker than I expected but not exciting. Definately has a good level of support but the black and white poster he had up looked cheap because everything else he uses has blue on it. As well he had a ED STELMACH bus which is cool.
Ted Morton - Ted did well, he is definately a better speaker now than he was two years ago when I first heard him speak. I just wish he would go on the attack more but that is just me. Oh and he was the only one to get booed... it was some NDP type sitting in the back of the conference centre who looked like you would expect and left right after he did that.
Victor Doerksen - did nothing to make me think he is leadership material and did not even commit to run again.
Gary McPherson - well spoken but the mike he had last night like to go to high when he first starts to speak which distracts from what he said. He is another also ran but seems to be better able to express himself than some of these MLAs.
Mark Norris - Mark was interesting but the best part of his campaign is the Mark Norris Hummer. Only in Alberta would someone have a Hummer with their face on it.
Dave Hancock - definately has a young group around him but was very fiesty tonight. He took shots at the so-called front runners and was trying to differentiate himself for the home town crowd.
So what was my over all impression, Lyle has people supporting him but no strength here. Dinning has fans but I noticed most of them work at the Legislature. Norris had fans but they were less than I thought and Stelmach probably has some dedicated core supporters but it helps when you can bus them in.
The point of the title however was that less than 10% of the people attending really were going in as blank slates. This forum was all about supporters coming and cheering on their man. Nothing really changed.
On an advice note, if I am Ted I make sure at forums like this I get a little confrontational so I can get in the papers and on TV where the real undecideds are.
Unfortunately in talking to William McBeath (Ted Morton's man in Edmonton) from Noises on the Right the best action was before the event started.
The forum itself was a poorly designed event if you were wanting the Candidates to differentiate themselves. They were asked 16 questions from the "attendees" but all of which was read by the moderator.
Honestly I thought they were lobbyist canned questions so the answers were just as exciting.
The forum proceedure favours Dinning. It allows him to make points with no real challenge. It allows for now back and forth and while that may be the only way to go when you have 7 people on the stage it is boring.
Things I noticed about the Candidates:
Jim Dinning - the front runner never said anything that would hurt himself because to be blunt he doesn't say ANYTHING.
Lyle Oberg - tried to hard to play the martyr. He was taken apart on that by Hancock during the forum. He has some entertaining supporters but not many at the event.
Ed Stelmach - a better speaker than I expected but not exciting. Definately has a good level of support but the black and white poster he had up looked cheap because everything else he uses has blue on it. As well he had a ED STELMACH bus which is cool.
Ted Morton - Ted did well, he is definately a better speaker now than he was two years ago when I first heard him speak. I just wish he would go on the attack more but that is just me. Oh and he was the only one to get booed... it was some NDP type sitting in the back of the conference centre who looked like you would expect and left right after he did that.
Victor Doerksen - did nothing to make me think he is leadership material and did not even commit to run again.
Gary McPherson - well spoken but the mike he had last night like to go to high when he first starts to speak which distracts from what he said. He is another also ran but seems to be better able to express himself than some of these MLAs.
Mark Norris - Mark was interesting but the best part of his campaign is the Mark Norris Hummer. Only in Alberta would someone have a Hummer with their face on it.
Dave Hancock - definately has a young group around him but was very fiesty tonight. He took shots at the so-called front runners and was trying to differentiate himself for the home town crowd.
So what was my over all impression, Lyle has people supporting him but no strength here. Dinning has fans but I noticed most of them work at the Legislature. Norris had fans but they were less than I thought and Stelmach probably has some dedicated core supporters but it helps when you can bus them in.
The point of the title however was that less than 10% of the people attending really were going in as blank slates. This forum was all about supporters coming and cheering on their man. Nothing really changed.
On an advice note, if I am Ted I make sure at forums like this I get a little confrontational so I can get in the papers and on TV where the real undecideds are.
Monday, November 13, 2006
Elton John wants religion banned completely
sigh....
and his reason makes sooooo much sense btw.
http://www.drudgereport.com/flash1.htm
now pardon my paradox but how is his hatred of "organized" religions some how more acceptable than his perception of Gay hatred from those same religions. Btw I would suggest that most "Organized" religions do not HATE homosexuals. Rather they think what they do is sinful.
There is a big difference. But it is very typical of a very confused "stars" who with little knowledge mouth off and show just how little they know.
and his reason makes sooooo much sense btw.
Sir Elton said: "I think religion has always tried to turn hatred towards gay people. Religion promotes the hatred and spite against gays."
"But there are so many people I know who are gay and love their religion. From my point of view I would ban religion completely."
"Organised religion doesn't seem to work. It turns people into really hateful lemmings and it's not really compassionate."
http://www.drudgereport.com/flash1.htm
now pardon my paradox but how is his hatred of "organized" religions some how more acceptable than his perception of Gay hatred from those same religions. Btw I would suggest that most "Organized" religions do not HATE homosexuals. Rather they think what they do is sinful.
There is a big difference. But it is very typical of a very confused "stars" who with little knowledge mouth off and show just how little they know.
Tonight I will be a Tory
Well I am going to the Edmonton PC Leadership forum. It should be interesting to see how this goes.
Hopefully Ted kicks some butt but the formula of these things are pretty crappy.
Hopefully Ted kicks some butt but the formula of these things are pretty crappy.
Saturday, November 11, 2006
the eleventh minute of the eleventh hour of the eleventh day
It has almost been 90 years since the War to end all Wars ended. It is hard to believe that almost every veteran of that era is now passed on. When you look back at World War One and the futility of moving little more than a few miles during the course of 3 1/2 years of battle.
The cost of the two world wars is simple staggering.
In World War One 15,596,071 people lost their lives.
In World War Two 62,537,400 people lost their lives during the war.
The costs for Canada 66,655 in WWI and 45,300 in WWII.
In the Korean War Canada suffered 516 losses.
Canadian Casualties to date in Afghanistan 43.
Personally I look forward to the day when this becomes true because it is obvious that we have become very effective at killing each other.
Isaiah 2 KJV
The cost of the two world wars is simple staggering.
In World War One 15,596,071 people lost their lives.
In World War Two 62,537,400 people lost their lives during the war.
The costs for Canada 66,655 in WWI and 45,300 in WWII.
In the Korean War Canada suffered 516 losses.
Canadian Casualties to date in Afghanistan 43.
Personally I look forward to the day when this becomes true because it is obvious that we have become very effective at killing each other.
2 And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the LORD’s house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it.
3 And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.
4 And he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.
Isaiah 2 KJV
Friday, November 10, 2006
Could it really become ABD?
As someone who is not immersed in the PC campaign I am fascinated to see Dinning on the attack against Morton, who I think is his only remaining challenger. Despite what the media has been saying it looks as if that is the true two horse race.
In a Edmonton Journal article now the Dinning team accused of bullying by Dave Hancock's wife.
The key quote in this article is:
Now does this mean that Dinning, like his buddy Paul Martin, learned his politics from the Sopranos? Thuggish tactics usually are not needed by people in a big lead. It makes you wonder if people on opposite sides are deciding the time will come for ABD (Anybody but Dinning?).
Of course we shall see if Hancock and Morton could even remotely coexist as supporters considering Morton effectively called him a Liberal.
In a Edmonton Journal article now the Dinning team accused of bullying by Dave Hancock's wife.
The key quote in this article is:
Dave Hancock said he hasn’t talked about this issue before because he tries to focus on policy and has tried “to keep the mucky stuff out of it.”
But Hancock said “bullying and fear tactics” have been used on other members of his campaign team as well. “They’re saying to people, ‘if you want to participate after this is over, you better be on our team.’ I can’t attribute that to Jim, but certainly people around him are playing the game.”
Now does this mean that Dinning, like his buddy Paul Martin, learned his politics from the Sopranos? Thuggish tactics usually are not needed by people in a big lead. It makes you wonder if people on opposite sides are deciding the time will come for ABD (Anybody but Dinning?).
Of course we shall see if Hancock and Morton could even remotely coexist as supporters considering Morton effectively called him a Liberal.
Thursday, November 09, 2006
Media blurring lines on the Klein issue
I am not sure which reporter decided to quote what Klein said at this roast in Calgary but maybe they had a slow news day or something.
Klein in hot water over Stronach joke
All the false outrage coming from the Liberals make it just that much more humerous. It was a joke which was at an event which is supposed to be protected from media quotes.
Think of it this way, every year the media host a Christmas party. It is the seminal event for Politicos in Alberta. All parties are invited and it is a place to let your hair down and be a bit more frank than normal.
Last year each of the parties, media and politicians put on video skits. In each case there was things said which would not be made public under normal circumstances. It allows a degree of self mockery which just cannot take place otherwise.
So lets keep this in perspective.
Oh and btw who died and made Belinda the image of Womanhood in politics? The false outrage and bravado coming from the left is stupid beyond belief. Not new but stupid nonetheless.
Klein in hot water over Stronach joke
All the false outrage coming from the Liberals make it just that much more humerous. It was a joke which was at an event which is supposed to be protected from media quotes.
Think of it this way, every year the media host a Christmas party. It is the seminal event for Politicos in Alberta. All parties are invited and it is a place to let your hair down and be a bit more frank than normal.
Last year each of the parties, media and politicians put on video skits. In each case there was things said which would not be made public under normal circumstances. It allows a degree of self mockery which just cannot take place otherwise.
So lets keep this in perspective.
Oh and btw who died and made Belinda the image of Womanhood in politics? The false outrage and bravado coming from the left is stupid beyond belief. Not new but stupid nonetheless.
Tuesday, November 07, 2006
House gone Senate in trouble
Well the Rove effect fails to pull a rabbit out of this hat. I fear for what Bush will be able to do over the coming two years with this state of affairs.
If there is any solace from this I think it is that the GOP have two years to get things right... Stop getting caught with hands in the cookie jar. Bring in new blood find republicans who can bring some zest back into the next election.
Once again it is critical that the next candidate for President seperate themselves from the GWB organization. They need to be outside the Old boys club if they are going to have a chance to beat Hillary Clinton and company.
Personally I think Mitt Romney would be an excellent candidate. I hope he runs and I expect him to put up a great challenge.
If there is any solace from this I think it is that the GOP have two years to get things right... Stop getting caught with hands in the cookie jar. Bring in new blood find republicans who can bring some zest back into the next election.
Once again it is critical that the next candidate for President seperate themselves from the GWB organization. They need to be outside the Old boys club if they are going to have a chance to beat Hillary Clinton and company.
Personally I think Mitt Romney would be an excellent candidate. I hope he runs and I expect him to put up a great challenge.
Friday, November 03, 2006
broken promises
The road of politics is littered with broken promises... much like good intentions.
The Prime Minister and his Finance Minister decively decided to break their promise. One that seems to have been a bit foolhardy in the first place.
For someone who is increasingly convinced that practical politics outweights the pie in the sky standing on policies like their are sworn life blood. Bluntly, governments rarely are able to stand for every policy they prevay in elections. There is too much oppositions do not know.
Everyone seems to be surprised that Harper could not keep every policy. Well let me tell you there is few times when a government is honest with the Opposition. Even the financial documents when given as they are in each budget are just general in nature. To pull out nuggets out of what Opposition parties are given you need to be able to cross examine the Ministers.
Let me give you an example, in the 2004 election the Alberta Alliance wanted to change health care, we said that little of the funding paid out directly goes to patient care.
This is true... to a point.
Looking at the financial documents after Paul Hinman got elected showed that much of health care spending goes to salaries. Doctors, nurses and care providers. The bureaucracy, including Jack Davis actually take about 4-5% of the salaries.
The question is whose numbers are right? If 4-5% is correct you cannot cut a lot of money from the program because that would mean less doctors coming to Alberta, making bigger waiting lists.
So I guess what I am saying is realizing they were proven wrong on Income Trusts the Tories broke their promise knowing that they would get beaten up, especially by BELL/CTV/Globe and Mail who were already using the income trusts to shelter their tax dollars.
So sometimes being in opposition makes life easier because you can stand on principle with no real worry about compromise. Unlike when you become government.
The Prime Minister and his Finance Minister decively decided to break their promise. One that seems to have been a bit foolhardy in the first place.
For someone who is increasingly convinced that practical politics outweights the pie in the sky standing on policies like their are sworn life blood. Bluntly, governments rarely are able to stand for every policy they prevay in elections. There is too much oppositions do not know.
Everyone seems to be surprised that Harper could not keep every policy. Well let me tell you there is few times when a government is honest with the Opposition. Even the financial documents when given as they are in each budget are just general in nature. To pull out nuggets out of what Opposition parties are given you need to be able to cross examine the Ministers.
Let me give you an example, in the 2004 election the Alberta Alliance wanted to change health care, we said that little of the funding paid out directly goes to patient care.
This is true... to a point.
Looking at the financial documents after Paul Hinman got elected showed that much of health care spending goes to salaries. Doctors, nurses and care providers. The bureaucracy, including Jack Davis actually take about 4-5% of the salaries.
The question is whose numbers are right? If 4-5% is correct you cannot cut a lot of money from the program because that would mean less doctors coming to Alberta, making bigger waiting lists.
So I guess what I am saying is realizing they were proven wrong on Income Trusts the Tories broke their promise knowing that they would get beaten up, especially by BELL/CTV/Globe and Mail who were already using the income trusts to shelter their tax dollars.
So sometimes being in opposition makes life easier because you can stand on principle with no real worry about compromise. Unlike when you become government.
Wednesday, November 01, 2006
Post Halloween havoc
Well the kids went nuts last night and we now have five times the candy in our house against what we gave away... ah sugar rush.
Meanwhile our teachers, they are smart they took a Preparation Day today. So they left the hangover for the parents to deal with.
My wife also makes the point that going to the good houses is way worth it compared to going and Trick or Treating the malls. The mall stores give out cheap stuff. So you freeze a little bit more but hey you get choclate!
Ok not a very important discussion but hey it is still interesting to me.
Meanwhile our teachers, they are smart they took a Preparation Day today. So they left the hangover for the parents to deal with.
My wife also makes the point that going to the good houses is way worth it compared to going and Trick or Treating the malls. The mall stores give out cheap stuff. So you freeze a little bit more but hey you get choclate!
Ok not a very important discussion but hey it is still interesting to me.
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