Alberta General Election - May 5th, 2015

[Sumner 1868]

Laurie Blakeman had a chance to join the Alberta NDP when Notley became leader and she refused...now I'll bet she is kicking herself. With numbers like this she could easily be swept away as the "Orange Crush" flushes away all others in Edmonton - Quebec 2011-style!

But would the NDP have these numbers without Notley?

[Sumner 1868]

Here's a delightful comment I found from a Wildrose supporter:

well for 40years I put the x by pc / stop/ we all bitch on the queen spending
now the king points his finger at us. well that’s it and if you vote for the might
blue . I want the people of this prov. to think of one thing .
when E. MANNING ran things he didn t put himself no he made dam sure
Albertans came 1st. so this coming election vote not for a party but for
someone who will work for this prov. funny when you look back jim d put
into law you can t spend what YOU DONT HAVE . SO IF YOU STILL WANT
WANT ALL THE DEBT VOTE BLUE .

[Sumner 1868]

Here's a delightful comment I found from a Wildrose supporter:

well for 40years I put the x by pc / stop/ we all bitch on the queen spending
now the king points his finger at us. well that’s it and if you vote for the might
blue . I want the people of this prov. to think of one thing .
when E. MANNING ran things he didn t put himself no he made dam sure
Albertans came 1st. so this coming election vote not for a party but for
someone who will work for this prov. funny when you look back jim d put
into law you can t spend what YOU DONT HAVE . SO IF YOU STILL WANT
WANT ALL THE DEBT VOTE BLUE .

Was this published via telegram?

No. It's at the top of the comment's board:

http://daveberta.ca/alberta-election/

[Sumner 1868]

I have to say the current polling is making this election look very interesting. I'm sure a lot of people are comparing this year to 2012, but I don't think that comparison works when you consider the current dynamics. As others have assuredly already noted, the 2012 PC coalition was very atypical, full of many centrist/centre-left voters wooed by Red Tory Alison Redford in opposition to a firmly right-wing alternative.

If the current polling holds (or anything close to it), it looks like Alberta will be electing its first minority government. Obviously, I'm not Albertan or Canadian, but I would personally love to see the NDP take control of Alberta. The end of the longest political dynasty in Canada would be historic. Regardless of who wins, it does seem that Calgary is the key to victory. The NDP are running very strong in Edmonton, but that would end in a result short of victory. With the PCs and Wildrose fighting for the province outside Edmonton, it does seem like the NDP has an opening to clean house in Edmonton and perhaps make some inroads into Calgary. The odds may not be high, but current polling does suggest at least some possibility of an NDP victory. In any event, I'm assuming the winning party will have to have a serious presence in Calgary, correct (unless, of course, the popular vote mirrors the seat count)?

I really can't see the NDP winning here. If they somehow do, I doubt they'll be in office beyond three terms.

[Sumner 1868]

What happens if the Liberals are shut out of legislature?

[Sumner 1868]

Perhaps Alberta is not ready for an NDP government anyways. Maybe some time with a strong Opposition will help Alberta warm up to the party.  An Ontario 1990 style surprise electoral outcome would kill the NDP in Alberta for generations.

Well, there has never been a one-term Alberta government.

[Sumner 1868]

Jim Prentice:
"After meeting with and talking to my fellow Albertans, I've become convinced that I made a mistake in not following the fixed election period law.  In accordance, I am cancelling this election."

[Sumner 1868]

Jim Prentice:
"After meeting with and talking to my fellow Albertans, I've become convinced that I made a mistake in not following the fixed election period law.  In accordance, I am cancelling this election."

It's a joke!

Ah, OK. I suspected it was a joke when you left no link, but stranger has happened.

Colby Cosh:
"The Conservatives are treating Notley as the main adversary, ramping up attacks on past NDP governments outside Alberta and torpedoing the NDP’s fiscal plan. (How many Albertans are refugees from NDP Saskatchewan or descendants thereof?"

Yes, because the NDP ran Saskatchewan so badly they left with a $5 billion deficit.

Oh sorry, that's the Alberta P.Cs.

If I understand correctly, many rural Saskatchewan residents detest the NDP for closing public hospitals and other services in the 1990s.

[Sumner 1868]

Far-right is not amused.

"Alberta is now the laughing stock of Canada"

"I wanna puke."

"Well, ndp voters, get ready for your so called change. Change from a good province to crap as the next 4 years they will lay waste to us all."

"Recession here we come. Sell your house before the plummet. Sell all your oil shares before they reneg on contracts. Move away to find a job. A sad, sad day in Alberta."

Several are calling Notley "the Red Queen."

[Sumner 1868]

hahaha prentice looks so pissed

He probably is.

[Sumner 1868]

Was Ray Martin a candidate at this election? It'd be a shame if he finally stopped trying to come back the year the NDP made their great breakthrough.

He can run for federal office again, and he might even win now.

[Sumner 1868]

According to Kim Trynacity, Prentice is apparently ignoring all questions as he leaves.

[Sumner 1868]

Has Prentice basically thrown Calgary-Foothills to the NDP?

[Sumner 1868]

NDP back at 40% in the popular vote.