Edmonton Journal - Tories feel the wrath of Cowtown
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Tories feel the wrath of Cowtown
Conservative candidates find out the hard way that Calgary remains 'mad at Ed' epicentre
Jason Fekete, Calgary Herald; Canwest News Service
Published: Saturday, March 01
CALGARY - Some Calgary Conservative candidates say they're facing the wrath of voters who don't believe Premier Ed Stelmach understands the city.
Several incumbent Tories said they're having to ease concerns about Stelmach, but firmly believe his accomplishments during his first 14 months in office will win support at the ballot box.
Heather Forsyth, who is seeking re-election and was a cabinet minister in Ralph Klein's government, said she's hearing "over and over and over" from people who aren't happy with Stelmach.
"My response to that particular question is the premier is not on the ballot. I'm on the ballot."
Forsyth said the anger goes back to Stelmach's first day in office, when he appointed a rural-heavy cabinet that reduced the number of Calgary ministers. "It hasn't gone away," she said of voter discontent.
Indeed, Forsyth suggested the mood at the doorsteps is different than anything she's experienced during her 15 years as MLA. She is worried about her fate on election day.
"There seems to be an uneasiness out there," she said.
Campaigning in Calgary on Friday, Stelmach said he hasn't heard those complaints from others.
"In speaking to the candidates this week when we were in Calgary . . . they are telling me the doors are very positive and things are going in the right direction," he said.
"It's voter turnout and making sure we get the vote out."
Stelmach will be in Calgary today to launch an all-out blitz, as he's scheduled to make 11 campaign stops. He'll make a few more stops Sunday before heading to his hometown of Andrew.
Today's tour doesn't include a stop at Forsyth's office. Asked whether she's happy with Stelmach's larger provincial campaign, Forsyth wouldn't comment.
Tory incumbent Art Johnston said he's receiving lots of positive feedback at the door, but has heard anti-Stelmach sentiment. He insisted Stelmach has been an activist premier who's addressed long-standing concerns such as increasing resource royalties and resolving the teachers' unfunded pension liability.
"There's some people that want Ralph (Klein) back, and it's not going to happen, but you have to let them vent," Johnston said, urging his caucus colleagues to rally behind the leader.
All but one Calgary Conservative MLA backed former provincial treasurer Jim Dinning in his Tory leadership loss to Stelmach. Johnston backed Dinning, but said it's time to move on and recognize what Stelmach has done.
"Maybe we have to stop trying to take a popular stance with people and pick up for Ed," he added.
Anger being lobbed at Stelmach and the Conservatives is most potent in Calgary, which is the "crankiest" part of Alberta, said political scientist Bruce Foster, chairman of policy studies at Mount Royal College.
"Calgary is the epicentre of 'We're mad at Ed,' " Foster said, noting it's partly due to unpopular policy and cabinet decisions, and being compared with Klein.
Despite the problems facing Stelmach in Calgary, Foster said the opposition likely "doesn't have what it takes to entice people into making a wholesale change."
Back on the campaign trail, Tory candidate Ron Stevens said he's also faced some heat, but is confident voters will put their faith in the PC leader.
"Ed Stelmach is not as well understood in this campaign as Ralph Klein was in the last," Stevens said.
Cindy Ady, longtime Conservative incumbent in Calgary-Shaw, said she's faced a swath of voters who aren't happy with Stelmach and his leadership.
"There's conversation around that, for sure, in my riding. They're still trying to themselves understand Ed and understand where he's heading as a leader," Ady said.
Ady's rebuttal to those concerns is that Stelmach has tackled tough issues and possesses the leadership qualities needed to lead Alberta through some challenging times.
Looking for an extra boost on the campaign trail, Ady said she asked Klein last week if he would come door-knocking with her, but he politely declined.
© The Edmonton Journal 2008
Tories feel the wrath of Cowtown
Conservative candidates find out the hard way that Calgary remains 'mad at Ed' epicentre
Jason Fekete, Calgary Herald; Canwest News Service
Published: Saturday, March 01
CALGARY - Some Calgary Conservative candidates say they're facing the wrath of voters who don't believe Premier Ed Stelmach understands the city.
Several incumbent Tories said they're having to ease concerns about Stelmach, but firmly believe his accomplishments during his first 14 months in office will win support at the ballot box.
Heather Forsyth, who is seeking re-election and was a cabinet minister in Ralph Klein's government, said she's hearing "over and over and over" from people who aren't happy with Stelmach.
"My response to that particular question is the premier is not on the ballot. I'm on the ballot."
Forsyth said the anger goes back to Stelmach's first day in office, when he appointed a rural-heavy cabinet that reduced the number of Calgary ministers. "It hasn't gone away," she said of voter discontent.
Indeed, Forsyth suggested the mood at the doorsteps is different than anything she's experienced during her 15 years as MLA. She is worried about her fate on election day.
"There seems to be an uneasiness out there," she said.
Campaigning in Calgary on Friday, Stelmach said he hasn't heard those complaints from others.
"In speaking to the candidates this week when we were in Calgary . . . they are telling me the doors are very positive and things are going in the right direction," he said.
"It's voter turnout and making sure we get the vote out."
Stelmach will be in Calgary today to launch an all-out blitz, as he's scheduled to make 11 campaign stops. He'll make a few more stops Sunday before heading to his hometown of Andrew.
Today's tour doesn't include a stop at Forsyth's office. Asked whether she's happy with Stelmach's larger provincial campaign, Forsyth wouldn't comment.
Tory incumbent Art Johnston said he's receiving lots of positive feedback at the door, but has heard anti-Stelmach sentiment. He insisted Stelmach has been an activist premier who's addressed long-standing concerns such as increasing resource royalties and resolving the teachers' unfunded pension liability.
"There's some people that want Ralph (Klein) back, and it's not going to happen, but you have to let them vent," Johnston said, urging his caucus colleagues to rally behind the leader.
All but one Calgary Conservative MLA backed former provincial treasurer Jim Dinning in his Tory leadership loss to Stelmach. Johnston backed Dinning, but said it's time to move on and recognize what Stelmach has done.
"Maybe we have to stop trying to take a popular stance with people and pick up for Ed," he added.
Anger being lobbed at Stelmach and the Conservatives is most potent in Calgary, which is the "crankiest" part of Alberta, said political scientist Bruce Foster, chairman of policy studies at Mount Royal College.
"Calgary is the epicentre of 'We're mad at Ed,' " Foster said, noting it's partly due to unpopular policy and cabinet decisions, and being compared with Klein.
Despite the problems facing Stelmach in Calgary, Foster said the opposition likely "doesn't have what it takes to entice people into making a wholesale change."
Back on the campaign trail, Tory candidate Ron Stevens said he's also faced some heat, but is confident voters will put their faith in the PC leader.
"Ed Stelmach is not as well understood in this campaign as Ralph Klein was in the last," Stevens said.
Cindy Ady, longtime Conservative incumbent in Calgary-Shaw, said she's faced a swath of voters who aren't happy with Stelmach and his leadership.
"There's conversation around that, for sure, in my riding. They're still trying to themselves understand Ed and understand where he's heading as a leader," Ady said.
Ady's rebuttal to those concerns is that Stelmach has tackled tough issues and possesses the leadership qualities needed to lead Alberta through some challenging times.
Looking for an extra boost on the campaign trail, Ady said she asked Klein last week if he would come door-knocking with her, but he politely declined.
© The Edmonton Journal 2008
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