And now for something completely different.
If you haven’t seen me around SSP much in the last couple of months, allow me to finally explain why. Yes, I’ve taken a job on a campaign, and yes, we’re gearing up for an early March vote. But it’s not Texas or Ohio where I’m working — it’s my home province of Alberta, Canada.
In December, I left my internship at Talking Points Memo and New York City behind to come back home and serve as the online coordinator for the Alberta Liberal Party during our province’s 2008 election. The chance to take part in this uphill battle was something that I couldn’t pass up.
Alberta, for the uninitiated, has been dominated by the ruling Progressive Conservatives (yes, the name is an oxymoron) for 37 straight years. This kind of unbroken monopoly on government creates plenty of room for abuse of power and an arrogant sense of entitlement by the Tory elite. However, Alberta’s vast natural resource wealth has facilitated massive government surpluses and a booming economy in the past decade — and the general attitude of “not rocking the boat” has effectively made Alberta a one-party state.
But there are signs of fatigue. The rapid development of the oil sands has turned the economy white hot, but has also put tremendous pressure on our crumbling infrastructure and spiked the cost of living (especially housing) several times over. Our public health care system is under strain, and environmental issues are closing in fast on this carbon-heavy province.
Coming off the 14-year reign of Premier (think: Governor) Ralph Klein, a folksy former mayor of Calgary whose gravitas in the media was nearly impeccable, Alberta’s latest Premier, Ed Stelmach, is charisma-challenged and beleaguered with the tasks of managing Alberta’s runaway growth.
The map pretty much tells the story, but you’ll have to remember that, north of the border, blue is the color of Conservatives, while the official Alberta Liberal color is red, and the left-wing rump is represented by the New Democratic Party’s orange threads. The sole district in green is represented by the far-right Wildrose Alliance Party.
As Alberta Liberals, our representation in the Legislature is a meager 16 out of 83 seats. The bulk of the Liberal caucus represents metropolitan Edmonton — my hometown. With a large working-class population, a substantial number of government employees, and the influence of the left-leaning University of Alberta, Edmonton is about the friendliest turf in the province for any party that’s to the left of the Conservatives. But with the New Democrats playing the role of bratty Naderite spoilers outside of their four seats of control, most of the districts in the city are decided by razor-thin margins and could easily flip on a dime.
But there’s a big opportunity for the Alberta Liberals to make a breakthrough in the traditionally solid Conservative city of Calgary. Stelmach, a farmer from the Edmonton area, is unpopular there, and many residents view him as out-of-touch with the rapidly-growing city’s needs. With Stelmach dragging his own party down in Calgary and strong candidates stepping up for the Alberta Liberals, we could see the Tory city of Calgary turn a shade of Liberal red on March 3rd.
With rural Alberta still solidly Tory (and represented by disproportionately more seats than the cities get), as Liberals, our targets are mostly the districts in the bigger cities and suburbs of Edmonton and Calgary, and the medium or small-sized cities like Red Deer, Lethbridge, and Medicine Hat.
Without the overwhelming financial resources of the Tories, and our left flank divided by the sanctimonious NDP, winning this election is a steep battle. But something feels different this time, and we could be in for a surprise on March 3rd.
No comments on this vitally important election? This could have implications all the way to Washington! I doubt it will, but it could.
I never lived in Alberta, but as someone from B.C., I always thought Ralph Klein was an embarrassment. Not that our drunk Premiere is any better.
or knowledgeable about Canadian politics – which is a real pity, since at times it is much more lively and nuanced than American elections. Mutli-party system, intense regional differences, and parties that actually mean something.
As an long-time dipper I’d take issue with your description of the NDP as “sanctimonious” and a “left wing rump” — but certainly agree that challenging the Alberta Conservatives in the post-Klein era is important.
Have fun back home!
Anything to clip the Conservatives in Canada. They’ve been supporting G Bush too damn long. I’m hoping to see them get the Australian treatment for Bush lovers while we apply something similar to them here in the US.
I’m Canadian also, but from Ontario. But as a Central Canadian, I will tell my Alberta friends that I have nothing against them and I wish them all the best in their province’s future. And it’s finally great to see some Canadian political content on this blog! We have exciting elections too.
As for Alberta’s PCs. Yes, they’ve given us some memorable moments and leaders in the last 37 years. From pretty boy Peter Lougheed, to the hapless Don Getty, to the absolutely embarassment that is known only as Ralph, to the now bland, staid, and PROMISE BREAKING Ed Stelmach (i.e. see retraction of oil royalties). It’s time for Alberta to gain new leadership and to try something completely different.
I’ve watched Kevin Taft and looked up his policies. Yes, he may not be as charismatic and presentable as Klein and others, but he seems to have a good head on his shoulders. Also, it’s not surprising that a former radio host can become Premier. Look no further than east to Saskatchewan, where former DJ Brad “Wall of Rock” Wall is now the new Premier, albeit from the right leaning Sask-a-Tory Party.
Happy voting on March 3rd, Alberta!