United Conservative Party.

[Walleyes]

Well it's a done deal boys, we got the parties united. Overwhelmingly I might add also.

3 years can't come quick enough.

http://calgaryherald.com/news/politics/wildrose-party-members-votes-95-5-per-cent-in-favour-of-joining-united-conservative-party

[W101]

 Some sanity prevailing . But the old Tory guard lots of
  Brain damage there ! Upper echelon stating new party
  will be started , no wonder the rank and file taxpayer
  Has a bad taste in their mouths when pronouncing
   " Politician "
 

[sonny]

Great news..

Now to pick a leader and then to punt Notley.

btw... I like Kenney.

[Walleyes]

Some sanity prevailing . But the old Tory guard lots of
  Brain damage there ! Upper echelon stating new party
  will be started , no wonder the rank and file taxpayer
  Has a bad taste in their mouths when pronouncing
   " Politician "
 

As well some of the hard core WR are starting another party. Don't see the point in either. We have the Libs which are a center right and we have a libatarian party for the hard right, senseless but what ever let them have at er.

[greylynx]

Well said Walleyes.

And Ms. Motley has a carbon tax to pay for re-election purposes.

Things are still pretty bad for the non civil servant Albertan.

[LeverAction]

It a step closer, hope we have time to work out the details. I wonder if the split off parties will gain any votes. If it's hard for the new WR/PC to make it, how would a new small party ever gain a foot hold?

[avb3]

As well some of the hard core WR are starting another party. Don't see the point in either. We have the Libs which are a center right and we have a libatarian party for the hard right, senseless but what ever let them have at er.

Those hardcore will always be there, but they are the same hardcore which cost us the 2012 election. Don't need them, don't want them, and they are welcome to leave. As are those that are on the other side of the spectrum. Most Albertan's are center right, that is where the votes are. I people want to replicated the scat show that made the current inhabitant of the oval office that happened south of the medicine line, go for it, but not in my Alberta. Klein never would have allowed that to happen.

[BruceW]

Most Albertan's are center right, that is where the votes are.

At least that's the way it, "used" to be, unfortunately the overbearing urban populations voting results of the last few elections show otherwise.  With rural ridings being tied to smaller urban centers as boundaries are redrawn and redrawn to favor urban votes even the ridings thought as, "safe center or center-right ridings" have been a lot closer elections than people realize unless they do some actual research.
Time will tell.
Make no mistake, the two parties united does not guarantee the end of the dips reign of destruction.

Getting the urban voter to actually read party platforms and bylaws would end the lefts support, unfortunately most think facebook is a trusted source of information and repeat whatever drivel is posted as fact rather than research or think for themselves.

[W101]

That nail is taking pounding .Bruce u r right ...I come
 from the dipper kingdom . Every year for years my
 Manitoba country kin would swear ...this is the year
  We will skin that commie dog ...but no . To tell the truth
  that last go round where goodness prevailed , the kin
   We're strangely quiet and I think quite surprised that
    the red plague was finally stamped out .
     Keep your pitchfork and fiery brand handy ,we may
     have to riot . IMO I think Jean is a little to quiet ,
     this attitude of waiting till the knot head falls on her
      own sword has got to go . The revolution has to be so loud
        That the dullards and tax paying insomniacs are woken up ..
       I have to go with Kenney .....

[OL_JR]

               Good news, a little bit closer to sanity again. 

               Going to throw this out there and I don't know if anyone else has noticed it but doesn't Notley look just completely run down lately?  I don't know if it's health issues or coming to the realization that the world doesn't run on good intentions and unicorn farts but I'd imagine this merger won't make it any better.  This has got to be the beginning of end of our little NDP experiment unless this united party lays quite the egg.

               Playing politics I'll second Sonny and say Kenney is probably the better bet as leader to get the votes.  I've said it before and I'll say it again Jean might be the best premier this province could have but from what I've seen he has a hard time thinking on his feet when he get's a curveball thrown at him in interviews/debates and that stuff matters imho and not worth the risk.  I don't think we could really go wrong either way though.  Both preach fiscal conservatism and that is the most important thing.  It will result in a few cuts and some real effort in cutting fat but they won't slash and burn like the left keeps sounding off on.  Some modest freezes and small cuts that most everyone has had to take in the private sector would add up to some real dollars and get us a little further away from my children having themselves taxed into poverty.


               

[AxeMan]

UPC leadership is now the next big step now the unity is done.
I hope the rules for the race don't count the 2nd place votes and make it a 50 plus one thing like in the old PC party.
That is how Stelmach and Redford got in.  Came up from 3rd place once one of the favorites fell short of 50%.
My fear is Jean and Kenny fall short if this crazy system is left in place and Fildebrandt weasels in.  He was talking rules today before he throws his hat in the ring.
A Fildebrandt win is the only thing that would sink this deal now to oust the NDP.

[Walleyes]

I'm a little torn as to whom I will vote for. I like Brian I think his heart and mind are in the right place but I just don't see him as a strong leader. I know during the last election he was unprepared and very new to his posting but he was a mess during the debates, he got toen to shreds it was an embaresment. Kenny is much more assertive and on the ball really. Personely im going with Kenny, I know the wife will vote for Jean. If Kenny wins I am sure Jean will get a pretty plush posting regardless.

[avb3]

At least that's the way it, "used" to be, unfortunately the overbearing urban populations voting results of the last few elections show otherwise.  With rural ridings being tied to smaller urban centers as boundaries are redrawn and redrawn to favor urban votes even the ridings thought as, "safe center or center-right ridings" have been a lot closer elections than people realize unless they do some actual research.
Time will tell.
Make no mistake, the two parties united does not guarantee the end of the dips reign of destruction.

Getting the urban voter to actually read party platforms and bylaws would end the lefts support, unfortunately most think facebook is a trusted source of information and repeat whatever drivel is posted as fact rather than research or think for themselves.

The Facebook issue is one that is just as bad on the right as the left. If there are any bozo eruptions, the UCP is dead in the water, and probably the winner will be Greg Clark's Alberta Party. Frankly, if the UCP campaigns too hard on social issues, I will have to reconsider my membership in it. I voted for unity, but not at any price. I'll wait and see what the policy conference comes up with. I'd just as soon the alt-right types go form their own little huddle in the playground, because they won't amount to any concerns in a general election, and the further they are removed from the UCP, the less damage, real or perceived, they can do.

I wish Ralph was still here.

[AxeMan]

The Lefties will try to make the 2019 provincial election all about social issues to take the pressure off their failed fiscal policies and ballooning debt.  That is their only game and they know it well and the gullible media will assist them in that.  The same lefties will start cries of "Alt Right" and "Religious Nuts" and try to brand the UCP with that starting now.  Truth is though, the merger of the right (UCP) just moved them closer to the middle by including the PC's.

[greylynx]

There are a lot of clichés that permeate our society these days.

One term that is used by the drive by smear media is "alt right"

May I ask what is an "alt right"?

What does an "alt right" believe in?

AVB? Don't you live in Florida these days?

[AxeMan]

LOL.  Greylynx and I posted almost simultaneously on the stupid "Alt Right" term.
Ya, it is obvious, that term will not fly anymore, that old card has been played already.

[Walleyes]

If it wasn't for the alt-right you wouldn't have a WR party you wouldn't have a Conservative party that has been forced to get back to its roots. You would still have Liberals running under a conservative banner which is what we had. I think it's important to have both far right and those wish washy feel goody inside pansies or liberals as they are better known in a party to have a balance. As far as social issues why not, there's nothing wrong with some sort of moral compass to guide people. Look how these countries are doing with out it my goodness how far down do we have to go before people realize it's to far,, not much farther I hope.

[LeverAction]

I like Jean, he is like the guy next door, but  I'm not sure he can pull the party together. Kenny to me is a little like a used car salesmen, and maybe you have to be to sell the deal to the common folk. I just pray they get it together. If a trained monkey can get rid of the NDP, then make him our leader.

[BruceW]

The Facebook issue is one that is just as bad on the right as the left.

Hmmm interesting.  Facebook bans guns, hunting, anything other than ludicrous extreme left borderline fascist garbage posted and regurgitated.
Seems to me likely very few conservative or libertarian types are on facebook.

Oh, sure it's like crackbook for many women who pay no attention to politics but simply put, I don't know a single man that's on it;  seriously, not one.

[BruceW]

I like Jean, he is like the guy next door, but  I'm not sure he can pull the party together. Kenny to me is a little like a used car salesmen, and maybe you have to be to sell the deal to the common folk. I just pray they get it together. If a trained monkey can get rid of the NDP, then make him our leader.

You and I agree completely.  Don't think Jean's the right guy and don't think much of Kenny.  (Very, very little in fact)  But as you say, I'd take a polished turd over what Ab's got now.