Brian Tobin Not Running

[shoop]

Pot calling the kettle black with the *no getting through to some people* line.

Tough to prove hypocrisy for someone who hasn't governed yet. Why not wait till the fall till making that statement. (Oh yeah, could you actually try and provide some evidence when you do it...)

Hypocrite...and harper isn't? His entire campaign.....

never mind. No getting through to some people...

[fellowtraveller]

In the 1984 election the PCs got 68.8% of the vote in Alberta and took every riding in the province. They took Albertan's support for granted.

Two elections later the PCs got 14.6% of the vote in Alberta and *lost* every riding in the province.

Things can change quickly in Alberta.

Thankfully the CPC is much too shrewd to believe in *extended* holidays anywhere in the country. They will hold their vote in Alberta *if* they stay true to their principles and offer the change people are looking for.

btw, oil was just under $16 a barrel (in 1993) dollars at the time of election. Oil price link

Try using Google instead of pulling numbers outta your butt.

My guess is there will be four cabinet ministers come out of Alberta tops...

Harper is on an extended holiday in Alberta. The only way he could ruin is would be to get caught in an intimate moment with Jarome Iginla.

Well, thanks for the pedantry of "try using google" and essentially supporting my point with the low oil price. It still stands: it's a different world now, Alberta is a different place, and the Tories are a different bunch from the old Reform. There will always be fringe parties with more radical views, but they are certainly no threat in the foreseeable future. Were you talking about real threats, or bogey men?

Harper will get a free ride for quite a while, he should spend much of his time and energy elsewhere, improving his position where it needs improving. He can spend a tiny bit of time on maintenance in Alberta, and get away with it. Just like the campaign, where he spent very little time in the province or his riding - and improved his seat count. In the long term, it is just common sense.

[Spike22]

I think Rick Mercer will be recruited, maybe Anne Murray or some other Canadian icon i.e. Stompin' Tom Conner - can you hear the tunes he would write and sing during a debate?

I see no one on the radar that would have mass appeal. Most are carboard politicians we need the equivalent of a Bill Clinton to spice things up - cigar anyone?

[shoop]

Pedantry?

You really miss the point. And have no clue about the oil busines...

$16 a barrel in 1993 was far above the break-even price for oil extraction. Thus, there were new wells being drilled and the economy was doing well in Alberta. $12 oil in 1993 would not have been break-even price and wells would have been shutting down.

Be as ignorant as you want about Alberta and Albertans. Just remember the old adage. Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.

Alberta represents 10% of the population of Canada. The Province deserves a little more than a *tiny bit* of the Prime Minister's time.

Well, thanks for the pedantry of "try using google" and essentially supporting my point with the low oil price. It still stands: it's a different world now, Alberta is a different place, and the Tories are a different bunch from the old Reform. There will always be fringe parties with more radical views, but they are certainly no threat in the foreseeable future. Were you talking about real threats, or bogey men?

Harper will get a free ride for quite a while, he should spend much of his time and energy elsewhere, improving his position where it needs improving. He can spend a tiny bit of time on maintenance in Alberta, and get away with it. Just like the campaign, where he spent very little time in the province or his riding - and improved his seat count. In the long term, it is just common sense.