Previous Profiles:
Dave Hancock
Lyle Oberg
Mark Norris
Before I get to the fourth profile in my series, I’d like to take a minute to reflect on the man all eight contenders hope to replace. Love him or hate him, it’s impossible to deny that Ralph isn’t quote worthy. So while I profile provincial PC candidates, Ralph has begun to profile federal politicians, starting off with Bob Rae and Stephen Harper:
Alberta Premier Ralph Klein is giving Stephen Harper a B grade for his performance so far as prime minister.
Harper loses points with the outspoken premier when it comes to his dealings with the media.
Klein says Harper should be more like him and make himself more available for comment.
“Bob Rae is a Rhodes scholar. He’s well educated, but he’s dumb when it comes to politics,” said Klein, a high school drop-out who later completed his education in a vocational school after a brief stint in the air force.
“He knows nothing about street politics.”
I, for one, can’t wait for the rest of the profiles in Ralph’s series. But, until then, everyone will have to be content to read up on one of the more controversial figures in the race – everyone favourite Senator in waiting, Ted Morton:
Ted Morton
Ted’s Platform
-Guide and manage AlbertaÂs full growth potential with our own pension plan, police force and made-in-Alberta immigration priorities
-Defend non-renewable resource revenues from federal raids
-Place curbs on harmful judicial activism
-Protect freedom of speech and religion via Bill 208 for those who support traditional marriage
-Embrace citizen initiative and referendums
In 30 words or less: Right wing University of Calgary professor and a former Senator in waiting. Think Stockwell Day with a PhD.
Ted on Emissions: Unless it turns out that homosexuality is running rampant in the oilpatch, I wouldn’t expect much action from Ted on this issue.
On the Net: I’m gonna go out on a limb and say I don’t get an interview with Morton so I invite everyone to watch his chat with Stephen Taylor.
Ted’s Backers: Ted Morton has gotten an endorsement from the leader of the Alberta Alliance. So he has more caucus support from outside his own party than from within.
Can he win? Maybe if the Martin Liberals had eeked out another electoral win. With Harper in charge, I just can’t see his “anti-Ottawa” platform firing up the grass roots.
If He Loses: Will likely jump to the Alberta Alliance or run in the next Senate “election”.
My Take: Obviously the farthest right of anyone in this race. Since getting elected as an MLA, he’s shown an unhealthy obsession with banning man on man monogamyy and has made it clear that he’ll wage war with Ottawa on…everything. A Morton victory is something the rest of the country would have to take notice of.