Phendrana Drifts

In case you hadn't heard, soon-to-be-Premier Stelmach is now being sworn in on December 14. I will still be in California (departure time, 54 hours and counting) but weather permitting, stop by the steps of the Legislature and see the first swearing-in of a Premier since 1992.

And expect a packed agenda when he arrives - lots to do and see. I'm particularly excited about the prospect of longer Legislature sittings, where a political junkie like I can get their fill on a daily basis instead of snippits every week or so.

Many are speculating about who will be in and who will be out in cabinet (Blake R., Tom O. and many others) - no solid predictions here (I have a poor track at this sort of thing) - and in any case, this is a solid caucus to find some talent in. I'm excited to see who will shine.

Start thinking about the election - the unofficial campaign starts later this week. But before that, I will step out on a limb and suggest that there is a good chance of a federal and municipal election before this one...

Harper v. Dion
Stelmach v. Taft
Mandel v. ??? (Edmonton)
Bronconnier v. ?Fech? (Calgary)

I feel another round of campaign fatigue starting on...

I have been tagged by Toby, and to follow along grab the book closest to you, open to page 123, go down to the fifth sentence. Post the text of next 3 sentences, the name of the book, and the author on your blog. Finish by tagging three people. I will tag Allie, Beatrice and Traxis (she doesn't appear to like when we use her real name in reference to her blog).

Bodies streamed together, collapsed in a writhing heap. The referee ran up in his prisoner's stripes, waving furiously.

"Ho-ho," Alf said with enthusiasm, "he really ran into it that time."

- The Island Walkers, John Bemrose

Rumours abound that the Chr�tien government promise to establish a national portrait gallery is coming to fruition, but the federal government has decided to build it in Calgary rather than in the old American embassy in Ottawa. Which I think is good news - Alberta may be prosperous and affluent, but it is a desert when it comes to the arts. The opposition in Ottawa is suggesting it is "pork barrel politics" - and a keen eye they must have for recognizing it given their record on the topic - but I think it is a great move. Calgary is Canada's fastest growing city, both by population and economically, but to sustain that level of growth they are going to need some development of arts and culture, the softer side of policy.

And for the record, I don't think he should have to. I frankly don't care. But I am willing to suggest there is a double standard between conservatives and "progressives", as Dr. Morton, who was born in the United States but has lived here in Alberta for over 25 years, was branded as an American throughout the recent Alberta leadership race. If it turned out Stephen Harper had an American citizenship, do we think that the media covering that would be so light? But it looks like Dion's French citizenship will be a two day news story that will blow over (I could be wrong, I admit).

On the whole, I dislike personal political attacks like this on politicians. For the lack of a better term, it feels so American.

Edit: Two second thoughts on the bus: if Dion held an American citizenship, the furor would likely be greater, so it was disingenuous for me to suggest that there is a double-standard with that example - as well, the furor over Micha�lle Jean was considerable enough to have her renounce her French citizenship. All the same, I think Dion will keep his at the end of the news cycle.

Allie has posted a great bit on Kevin Taft trying to find a reporter that cared about what he had to say at the leadership festivities on Saturday night. My comment on seeing him: "It's a big tent - I'm not sure it's that big."

Allie wrote:

"Ed was everyone's compromise second choice" said Liberal Leader Kevin Taft. "That's why he won."

Last Totals, before counting the second choice votes had Ed Stelmach in first place - with 482 votes ahead of second place Jim Dinning. Calculating the second choice votes gave 25,813 to Stelmach for a total of 77,577 - keeping him in first place by 22,068.

Here's another number Taft should count - 144,022 Progressive Conservatives came out yesterday to elect a new Leader. How many voted for him in his "Leadership" election?

And who invited Taft to our party anyway?

Sadly, I'll be away in California - but that's ok - at least I'll be in California! Hopefully my hotel will have wireless!

And now I sleep. Congratulations Premier Stelmach!

Latest media reports is that former federal Tory Scott Brison has withdrawn from the Liberal leadership race and thrown his support behind former Ontario Premier and former federal and Ontario NDP Bob Rae. Four years ago I would have said such a declaration was sign of one of the four horsemen coming out of the barn. How much has changed since I knew Scott...

In any case, I got better things to do today. Almost everyone I know is picking a new leader this morning, either here in Alberta or off in Montreal.

In today's Journal, I said this:

"Stelmach demonstrated a clear ability to listen and be inclusive while he never played down his ideas: a supplemental Alberta pension or money for municipalities were strongly advocated for. Plus both Jim and Ted thought so too - they were agreeing with Ed most of the time."

and

"All three echoed their same lines. Dr. Morton talking about Ottawa, Mr. Dinning offered broad visions and platitudes, and Ed offering an inclusive and effective government. I'm voting for Ed."

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