I think one challenge you didn’t address sufficiently is that Smith is willing to say *anything* to get elected… and for better or worse Notley isn’t.
It’s the double edged sword of integrity. Smith will promise impossible things to Calgary and those promises will dissolve like fog if it ceases to be convenient after the election. Notley is campaigning more-or-less how she means to govern.
Completely anecdotal, but I live in a fairly conservative suburban neighbourhood in Calgary. I've seen Conservative, PC, Wildrose, UCP, and even a couple PPC signs through the years, but for the first time this year, people have NDP lawn signs, and there's a lot despite the writ only dropping today. Lawn signs are completely useless as a scientific indicator of course, but there is a different atmosphere. Will that translate to an NDP victory? I'm not sure either, but they can't be counted out either.
For the record, I do think that the NDP candidate is more likely to win my district than not. I'm just more skeptical that will translate into a province-wide victory.
jesus. so net - net, the UCP could have a roadkill racoon as candidate and still get elected because they can bank on robotic voting for conservatives in key tidings
I am afraid you are spot on with this analysis. The UCP is leaving the centre wide open and the NDP seams to be reluctant to occupy it. It almost feels like it is more important to be true to the party’s ideals than it is to win an election.
To some extent Notley is doing a reverse Poilievre. Just like Pierre, she is making little or no effort to convince people that normally would not vote for her, that she is a safe choice.
Was listening to a great song by Taj Mahal ...Your Mind is on Vacation...could be Danielle’s theme song. First line is ...Your mind is on vacation and your mouth is working overtime.
I think one challenge you didn’t address sufficiently is that Smith is willing to say *anything* to get elected… and for better or worse Notley isn’t.
It’s the double edged sword of integrity. Smith will promise impossible things to Calgary and those promises will dissolve like fog if it ceases to be convenient after the election. Notley is campaigning more-or-less how she means to govern.
Completely anecdotal, but I live in a fairly conservative suburban neighbourhood in Calgary. I've seen Conservative, PC, Wildrose, UCP, and even a couple PPC signs through the years, but for the first time this year, people have NDP lawn signs, and there's a lot despite the writ only dropping today. Lawn signs are completely useless as a scientific indicator of course, but there is a different atmosphere. Will that translate to an NDP victory? I'm not sure either, but they can't be counted out either.
.. i believe that such ‘groundswell’s’ can & do take place.. like ‘a rogue wave’
For the record, I do think that the NDP candidate is more likely to win my district than not. I'm just more skeptical that will translate into a province-wide victory.
jesus. so net - net, the UCP could have a roadkill racoon as candidate and still get elected because they can bank on robotic voting for conservatives in key tidings
.. Well Said ! And look at the Classic Model eh ! The Federal Riding of Haldimand Norfolk..
They elected Dr Leslyn Lewis.. an unelectable & shrill Right Wing, Black Toronto LAWYER ..
who was parachuted in .. as some sort of bizarre ‘political favour’
It makes me wonder if Dean Del Mastro could make a comeback haha !
I can’t disagree with anything I’ve read here.
I am afraid you are spot on with this analysis. The UCP is leaving the centre wide open and the NDP seams to be reluctant to occupy it. It almost feels like it is more important to be true to the party’s ideals than it is to win an election.
To some extent Notley is doing a reverse Poilievre. Just like Pierre, she is making little or no effort to convince people that normally would not vote for her, that she is a safe choice.
Was listening to a great song by Taj Mahal ...Your Mind is on Vacation...could be Danielle’s theme song. First line is ...Your mind is on vacation and your mouth is working overtime.
.. Aside from any perceived fixations re Calgary & Edmonton voters, try this on..
Via Twitter, I mention that the term ‘Rural Albertan’s’ as the current Key To Alberta
So what is ‘Rural Alberta’ in Reality & not Generalities such as ‘rancher Bill & Martha’ ?
Kenney & the UCP were/are the most secretive, manipulative, deceitful & unaccountable Party
I’ve ever seen.. aside from Stephen Harper’s CPC.. which included Jason Kenney
So that subsequent Government failed ALL ALBERTANS.. in regard to Healthcare & re Education
PLUS.. began ‘taking over’ Pension Funds via Majority Legislation ..
So what ? Will Albertans actually vote for UCP candidates that will ‘finish the job’ ?
Take over Albertans’ CPP & Old Age Pensions too ? Are you kidding ?
They bought Coastal GasLink Pipeline through B.C. Wet’suwet’en Tribal Lands
by stealing The Teachers Pension Fund. They’ve lost ‘rural Healthcare’ now
and 911 ambulance calls are a sad joke..
Smith passed a law to just dump the victims at the closed Emergency Room
So tell me again that Ms Danielle Smith & her “nice shiny little Personal Healthcare Debit Card”
is going to go over with ‘Seniors who have Families’.. many with grandchildren & more on the way !
And how about Ms Smith re ‘her Alberta as a little enclave of Freedom like Florida & North Dakota’
where they still have ‘Purity Balls’ for debutants..
I know Albertans & I have family there.. He’ll, I lived & worked there too
As one wag put it so aptly - ‘Ms Notely’s best Campaign Tool is Danielle Smith..
in front of a microphone or her own cel phone’ - She’s ‘glib as fluck’ and a compulsive liar
‘Character’ ?? What Character ? Every little thing about her .. that stinks..
is now ‘topic of conversation at street level, cattle auctions, work camps, glass towers,
doctor’s offices, union meetings, bars, restos, curling clubs !
The Kenney UCP was/is built on the Harper ‘Hostile Brand Takeover’ model
& I question if You Can Fool Albertans Twice.. this time
By every indication rural Alberta is clear that they disagree with 90% of UCP policy. They are also clear that they are voting for the UCP again.
So the focus is on Calgary because they are the group who is showing any willingness to change their votes.