On the Web

-from the makers of edspedia.ca come rottentories.ca
-Kevin Taft: The Next Alberta

-Straight Outta Edmonton counts down the top songs of 1971
-Taft responds to RO scandal on Youtube
-Daveberta Youtube round-up
-Four Strong Winds asks how to fix democracy in Alberta

Blog Watch

I didn’t think it was possible, but whoever is doing Ed Stelmach’s campaign blog has managed to capture the mind numbing boringness of Ed in written form! My favourite entry is from February 12th – I’d say it’s prime fodder for the cliche-o-meter.

On the other side, you have former journalist and Calgary Fish Creek candidate Laura Shutiak, who has managed to put together an entertaining blog that sheds some light on what life on the campaign trail is like. I’ll also give Arthur Kent credit for putting together a walk and talk daily video blog.

Ad Watch
The PCs keep rolling out the “Ed chats with bad actors” ads, while Imagine Alberta talks education.

The Continuing Saga of Perry Mason
“Say my name” is quickly becoming the NDP leader’s campaign theme.

Quotes of the Week

“The opposition says, ‘a 37-year-old government — time to kick them out.’ Marie has been with me for 34 years — I don’t plan to kick her out.”
-Ed Stelmach

“[Stelmach was such a QP disaster that] it got to the point where you didn’t ask him questions because you just felt bad for him.”
-Kevin Taft

Topics I’d Like to see Banned from the Campaign
Ed Stelmach’s conception

Actual Quote from Ed Stelmach Podcast with Tom “Say no to Calgary” Olsen

TO: “Generally speaking, what is their response when you explain your plan on whatever the issue is?”

ES: “uhh, what’s, when I have an opportunity to talk to individuals and talk about our plan, communicate to them what we have in our plan, a very bold plan to cover all of these issues, many have a much better understanding of what’s in the plan and know that it’s going to work for them and deal with many of the issues that they may be facing individually in many issues.”

Reason why the PCs will probably still win this thing

In Drayton Valley, Frances Meston, 56, co-owns Big West Farm and Ranch with her husband. The store sells everything from cowboy hats to gates for drilling sites. “This royalty thing, it hasn’t helped anybody,” she said.

But for all the angst and anger it’s created, Ms. Meston still supports the Tories. She always has. In fact, the mother of two grown daughters couldn’t imagine an Alberta without the Conservatives in charge. “No, and definitely not the NDP,” she said with a chuckle.

Policy Watch

The Liberals came out with two policies which both make practical and political sense. $1,000 off tuition is something all students can relate to, while Taft’s “cities charter” got this response in a Herald editorial this morning:

Liberal Leader Kevin Taft has skillfully positioned himself as king of the concrete jungle, with an election promise to give Edmonton and Calgary their own charters.

Raising the provocative idea of more municipal autonomy strategically shows Taft as a leader who gets the needs of Alberta’s cities, where two-thirds of the population reside.

The Week Ahead
All eyes are on the leaders debate this Thursday. This is make it or break it time for the four party leaders and might very well decide the election. And, as luck would have it, I’ve figured out the chanel shifting on my cable box so I’ll be able to watch and live blog it this Thursday!

I’d also expect the first public polls of the campaign to be released either Tuesday or Wednesday.