Which Candidate Has What It Takes?

 Smoky Lake Signal Article No. 180
(July 20, 2011)


Things have become really vague when it comes down to distinguishing the six candidates; nobody is emerging with a premier-like personality and nobody is showing any passion to lead the province - I've read that the candidates are like a "six pack."  For me the six of them are currently like a six pack of beer and only sincere passion will be the factor that can garner support, credibility and success.  Of the locals that I have talked with, they're all over the map when it comes to who they are supporting - one is favoring Alison Redford; another more passive conservative favors Doug Griffiths; a more seasoned political type is supporting Rick Orman; and a couple very active PCers are supporting Doug Horner - Jeff Johnson, our local MLA, is supporting Doug Horner.  To date four of the six candidates have visited the Smoky Lake area (Griffiths, Horner, Mar and Redford) and I was a little disappointed in their visit, their stay in Smoky Lake was short and their responses to clear, direct questions were general and vague - nevertheless they did come to Smoky Lake and it is still early in the campaign, we might see them again to shore up local support.  What is particularly disappointing is the non-appearance of either Rick Orman or Ted Morton in the Smoky Lake area - again it might be too early in the campaign to draw strong, negative conclusions regarding their visions for Alberta.  In the past I have written that both Ted Morton and Rick Orman are the front runners in this leadership campaign and I still believe that to be the case - the question for me and other locals regarding the two front runners; are they at all interested in gaining support from small town, rural Alberta?