Saturday, January 19, 2008

I've Seen This Pattern Before

Chandler's nothing if not consistent. It seems that Chandler tried to run a slate of candidates for the executive of the newly merged "Wildrose Alliance" party (Formerly the Alberta Alliance and Link Byfield's Wildrose Party.

We've seen this pattern before - he used more or less the same tactics when he went after the PC nomination in Calgary Egmont. He tried to get enough of "his people" (e.g. David Crutcher) to take on high profile/controlling positions in the board, and then went after the nomination

What it tells me is that Craig and his band of allies (mostly "senior" members of PGIB) don't actually have much traction within Alberta's political parties, as they flit from party to party trying to find a place where they can be in control. Perhaps in a few years they'll learn the base concept of party politics - namely that it is a game of compromise.

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

Actually I am very happy with the results and we were not the only group running a slate.

below is my post from Project Alberta about this issue and a response from the Treasurer of the party.

"A few things to address on this thread.

Firstly, I sign off as the Democratically Elected conservative in Calgary Egmont with a small 'c' and this is to keep raising the point that the Tories denied democracy.

As for the slate, I find it intereresting that PGIB is not allowed to have one, yet the Alliance had a slate as evidenced by the sheet on each table as did the Wildrose Party.

I am merely trying to get some PGIB members interested in this new party. Unfortuantely, PGIB is an organization that is mostly supporters of the Alberta Progressive Conservatives. I only managed to get 31 members of PGIB out today and they voted for who they wanted.

We let them know who was running that was a member, but as evidence by Don Leonardo only getting 25 votes, not all members voted the way I suggested.

As for the memo, I sent it to only 31 PGIB members that said they were coming. Jane Morgan can verify that in my excel spread sheet to her there was no more then that registered. I did not expect one of those to share it with anyone. It is not that I wanted it secret, it was just addressed to these PGIB members that wanted to go.

I did receive some good comments from some people in both the Alliance and Wildrose Party that made it clear I would not yet get elected to council. One comment stuck out in my mind and it was as follows: "Craig, you can't just come back from the PC's and after being a member of our party for a few days expect to be on council. Welcome back, but you have to earn your way back in and that will not happen overnight. You will not be getting elected today, stick around and show us you are here to stay" Point taken and received.

I am not going anywhere and I do sincerely think that we have some excellent people on this council. Jane Morgan is second to none, John Hilton O'Brien is someone whom I have always respected and Dale Leuken would be a great MLA.

This is an opportunity for past grievances to be forgotten. This is an opportunity to put Alberta first.

I am looking forward to helping in building this party and all those that were with me today, left with the same feeling I had, of hope and excitement.

I am very happy to see the first step in unity today and am looking forward to helping wherever I am needed and wherever I can.

Today was a good day. Today was not about anything other then creating a new conservative alternative.

It is unfortunate that the authour of this post tried to make this out to be a PGIB takeover, when in our eyes we just wanted tio help and put together a group of people like everyone else. The enemy is the PC's and not each other and I think most of us are getting that.

There will always be a few on the fringe that hold grudges and live in the past, but this does not help Alberta.

Looking forward to a better Alberta with the Wildrose Alliance.

Congrats to the winners, I am ready to work.

Craig B. Chandler
_________________
Putting Alberta First!
www.craigchandler.ca
www.pgib.ca www.pgibw.ca
www.freedomradionetwork.ca

"e.maroes wrote:
I was actually surprised to see the Alliance slate - maybe whoever was responsible for it was the smart one today!"
Eleanor Maroes

"Craig and Eleanor are both right though; this happens all the time. It's called "campaigning"... it takes all sorts of forms... calling people up before hand, emailing, mixing and mingling at the event ... and obviously also little pieces of paper... by way an endorsement of sorts.

... and I suppose thanks are in order to whoever took the initiative; since my name was on it.. ...thanks"

Your Crystal Ball Is Clearly Cracked!

Anonymous said...

One other point. PGIB has more members in the ALberta PC Party then in any other party.

We lobby and try to promote our less government, lower taxes and politcally accountable agenda.

MgS said...

As for the slate, I find it intereresting that PGIB is not allowed to have one, yet the Alliance had a slate as evidenced by the sheet on each table as did the Wildrose Party.

Hmmm ... lessee - two parties are merging, that each would have its own adherents standing for executive positions is no shock.

Mysteriously, you pop up with a group of your cronies running a "PGIB slate". (Perhaps even more ironic is that it's always the same freaking people that show up alongside your "lobbying" efforts)

The frequency with which you have changed political allegiance in the past few years tells me that the reality is that you are little more than an opportunist, and when things don't go the way you want them to, you pack up and go find the next prospect.

How can any voter believe that you will actually represent anything beyond your self-interest were you to be elected?

dragon said...

Craig,

You are the worst sort of political opportunitist with your own self interest and lust for power put forth above any other.

It would greatly worry me to see you sitting as an MLA, as I do not believe you are capable of acting in the best interests of your constituents, nor do I see you as able to divorce your personal political views from the station of MLA.

When it comes down to it, while part of a party, the office of an MLA is nonpartisan, and no partisian business can take place within the MLAs office.

Will you put up a sign proclaiming "no Liberals" or "ban the NDP" or even "we don't serve Conservatives?" Or perhaps you will hand out a checklist at the door to greet people and screen their views before you agree to act as an MLA.

No, Alberta is FAR better off without people like you sitting in office.

How could anyone vote for you knowing that when it is convenient you will jump from party to party like a flea at a canine convention. You claim on Project Alberta that you will sit as a "Wild Rose" even if you are elected independant. When will you get the message Craig? The parties don't want your brand of ultra rightwingnuttiness. And I think they have made this very clear.

I call 'em as I see 'em.

-Dragon

Anonymous said...

Actually I was well recieved at the meeting and my views which are no different then Ted Morton , Paul Hinamn and Link Byfield are very prevelant in the new party.

And for Grog's point about party jumping.

I have been a federal Conservative since 1989. I can't help it has changed it's name 3 times.

As for provincial politics. I left the PC party, but came back under Ted Morton and I got the boot as the nominated candidate so I left.

Wildrose is my home and the only reason I am running independent is because I did not see the merger coming and have spent thousands on independent materials. I do not have unlimited money.

MgS said...

As for provincial politics. I left the PC party, but came back under Ted Morton and I got the boot as the nominated candidate so I left.

Uh huh.

Let's conveniently ignore your involvement with Crutcher's run for the AA leadership and his run for the seat in Egmont?

Or perhaps your involvement in the Social Credit party in 1997 (albeit under the guise of PGIB "lobbying efforts") didn't happen?

Now, more recently, you spring up in the provincial PC's trying to remake the party in your own image, and when that fails, you suddenly pop up talking about allying yourself with the newly formed Wildrose Alliance?

Anonymous said...

It would appear that Mr. Chandler is still playing the 'muddy the waters' game; small 'c' conservative indeed. I'm more inclined to say 'con' as in
'Con Man', but that's just a passing thought. And the other comment of 'not voting the way he suggested', all that can be said is that people who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones....

Whatever his ultimate plans are, whomever he's involving in this latest run at the seat, about the only thing his actions will result is (worst case) diluting the vote for the PC party, resulting in a weak claim for the seat or (not so worst case) the seat is won by either the NDP or Liberals.

All that will result from Mr. Chandler's current run will be a lot of accusations, recriminations, potentially slanderous garbage being slung at the PCs, with a few, quick, cheap shots at the other 'offending' parties. My only suggestion, get a lot of Scotchguard, protective goggles and respirator mask as the next round of provincial elections will be very messy.

E.

Anonymous said...

It's pick-a-party featuring Craig Chandler! He's been involved in the following parties:

- Reform Party of Canada (ran for MP)
- PC Party of Ontario
- PC Party of Canada (ran for leader)
- Canadian Alliance
- Conservative Party of Canada
- Social Credit Party of Alberta (ran for MLA)
- Alberta Alliance (ran a campaign for MLA and for leader)
- PC Party of Alberta (ran for a nomination)
- Wild Alliance Party

Anonymous said...

'Wild Alliance' party? I'll take it you meant Wild Rose, the former has the tendency to make me want to claw my eyes out, given some of the garbage over certain subjects that have been flying around over the web.

E.

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