[Shodan]

March 8, 2008 - Edmonton Sun

I miss King Ralph

By YUKON JACK - 100.3 The Bear FM

I miss Ralph Klein. I'm not saying I miss Ralph Klein as a provincial leader. I just miss having him around.

Call it charisma. Call it leadership. Call it presence. Call "it" whatever you want. But "it's" lacking in our current provincial political scene.

This past week's election proved that to me. I didn't know it at the time, but now...a few terms removed, I wish we had it back.

The big story this election seemed to be voter apathy.

Nobody cared. Well, nobody cares for a couple of reasons.

Number 1 ... I don't think we, as Canadians, really know all that much about our political process. I'm guilty of ignorance.

Number 2 ... It's boring as all hell.

We need a little personality injected into the scene. And like Klein or hate Klein, at least he had personality.

Personality goes a long way. So by that rationale, if Ed had a better personality he'd cease to be a boring politician.

We need some scandal, some momentary lapses in judgment.

We need Easy Ed to get hopped up on Jim Beam and chuck pocketfuls of cash at homeless shelter occupants. We need Steady Eddie to crack the odd racially insensitive zinger.

I want Stuttering Stelmach to toss a book at a teenage page in the Alberta Ledge, or crack a joke about Belinda Stronach and Peter MacKay, or get photographed drinking with known bikers, or cut every single person in the entire province a cheque 'cause we're filthy stinking rich.

We went from Rocky Road with whip cream, walnuts and chocolate chips, to vanilla.

Plain old, safe, boring vanilla.

In the meantime ... I'll just shut my big yap.
_________________________________________________________________

Do you miss King Ralph too? As a politician or as a character? Your thoughts! :rolleyes:

[Ponza]

Miss him like a rectal exam.

[freeweed]

We may not need more OF him, but we certainly need more LIKE him.

His personality and way of doing things have helped greatly in making this city and province the best in the country.

[Hardhatdan]

I wish i would never hear him speak again.

[SHOFEAR]

I don't miss him as a leader, but the shitstorm of controversy that followed him was always entertaining. Any guy who pisses off every homeless advocate in this province is good in my book.

[Coldrsx]

he was who he was and perhaps only got away with it because this is Alberta.

one thing i have found of late is that he cant speak well anymore, oh wait perhaps he never really could.

[newfangled]

one thing i have found of late is that he cant speak well anymore, oh wait perhaps he never really could.

Bingo.

[240glt]

No

[DAVEinEDMONTON]

No

I miss Peter Lougheed...

[Western Spaghetti]

The vote should really have three options. It should have a 'no he wasn't a great leader, but he was better then Ed Stelmach' option.

[CMD UW]

Here's my deal with Ralph. Personally, I give him credit for sticking with his plan to erase the province's debt since he was elected in 92. And although timing had alot to do with eliminating the debt, he stuck to that plan during times when the economy was not doing well.

However, near the end of his reign he became very complacent and just 'coasted' into the sunset. He could have at least set up the template for how Alberta could grow with a new leader in the future.

[KrisYYC]

I miss Ralph. He had the balls to do what was needed to turn this province around. The rest of Canada vocally dissed Ralph while quietly envying him and copying his policies in their own provinces.

I like how he had the balls to stand up to Ottawa on certain things too.

I think his pros outweighed his cons. The homeless thing was harsh, but c'mon, if you're able bodied how can you be homeless in AB?

[Xelebes]

Miss him like a tugnut.

[Boris2k7]

Here's my deal with Ralph. Personally, I give him credit for sticking with his plan to erase the province's debt since he was elected in 92. And although timing had alot to do with eliminating the debt, he stuck to that plan during times when the economy was not doing well.

However, near the end of his reign he became very complacent and just 'coasted' into the sunset. He could have at least set up the template for how Alberta could grow with a new leader in the future.

Bingo

But really, who doesn't miss Ralph, at least a bit...

eTcqdjzHq6Q

[Habanero]

Here's my deal with Ralph. Personally, I give him credit for sticking with his plan to erase the province's debt since he was elected in 92. And although timing had alot to do with eliminating the debt, he stuck to that plan during times when the economy was not doing well.

However, near the end of his reign he became very complacent and just 'coasted' into the sunset. He could have at least set up the template for how Alberta could grow with a new leader in the future.

^Exactly what he said. Ralph was one of my alltime favorirte politicians through the 90's, but after that things kind of fell off the rails.

[Rusty van Reddick]

Yeah, I really miss being told that as a gay man I would never- his promise, NEVER- have equal rights in this province.

I voted no. Anybody who voted "yes" should be fucking ashamed, unless what you "miss" is the entertainment of corrupt bullying.

I'll piss on his grave when he dies. That's my "promise."

[Boris2k7]

I guess it's good that I didn't vote then. Definately don't miss that aspect of Ralph.

[ScottFromCalgary]

Yeah, I really miss being told that as a gay man I would never- his promise, NEVER- have equal rights in this province.

I voted no. Anybody who voted "yes" should be fucking ashamed, unless what you "miss" is the entertainment of corrupt bullying.

I'll piss on his grave when he dies. That's my "promise."

I miss Ralph like I'll miss Furry's occasional crazed outbursts if I ever leave this forum. While both go over the top on occasion, they make things interesting and entertaining.

[SteveP]

Yeah, I really miss being told that as a gay man I would never- his promise, NEVER- have equal rights in this province.

I voted no. Anybody who voted "yes" should be fucking ashamed, unless what you "miss" is the entertainment of corrupt bullying.

I'll piss on his grave when he dies. That's my "promise."

I voted yes, even theough I thoroughly disagreed with his stance on same sex marriage. I can't think of a politician where I agree with everything they do.

[S_B_Russell]

Ralph gave us $100 per barrel oil, right? Sarcasm mode now off.

[freeweed]

Ralph gave us $100 per barrel oil, right? Sarcasm mode now off.

Nah, he just balanced the budget when it was $12/bbl.

As for the gay marriage thing, furry, come on. I know you're old enough - 20 years ago EVERY SINGLE POLITICIAN would have said the exact same thing. Do you hate every single politician in the history of mankind until just 4 or 5 years ago?

You'll notice that Klein effectively backed down once the whole federal thing went through - I remember quite clearly his "ah well, Ottawa has spoken, what can you do?" commenting at the time. Personally, I think he was like the majority of leaders from the past few decades on a lot of social issues - he had to pander to the older generation somewhat, but really, truly, never personally cared much either way. Hell, he even said as much in the 2004 election - if Albertans want it, gay marriage would be legal.

Contrast this to people like Mr. Chandler or Mr. Harper who quite clearly have tried long after the horse was out of the barn, to go back and re-ban the practice. Klein at least had the integrity to stand up and say "hey guys, we lost. deal". Harper spend what, 6 months on this fucking waste of time, even when poll after poll and MP after MP told him to drop it?

I only watched Klein from afar for the most part, so I obviously don't have the entire picture, but he always struck me as nowhere near the ardent anti-gay crusader you make him out to be. Certainly not compared to most of the PC/Reform we've seen come out of Alberta over the years. Klein always struck me as a fair bit of a Libertarian, if anything.

[clynnog]

I voted yes, even theough I thoroughly disagreed with his stance on same sex marriage. I can't think of a politician where I agree with everything they do.

An excellent analysis of politicians...believe me there is no politician or political party in which you wholeheartedly agree with their position. As a result, we end up weighing how important the various policies and positions are that a politician/political party puts forth and vote accordingly.

[clynnog]

I miss Ralph like I'll miss Furry's occasional crazed outbursts if I ever leave this forum. While both go over the top on occasion, they make things interesting and entertaining.

I won't miss Furry's language in these forums....

[Policy Wonk]

I never liked Ralph, but I am sick of this small minded farmer.

[You Need A Thneed]

Ralphy was great for this province. He had his problems, but didn't make excuses when those problems came to the forefront, like most others would have done. Wish we had another leader like him, in many ways (but not all ways).

[Deepstar]

Ralph gave us $100 per barrel oil, right? Sarcasm mode now off.

The budget was balanced way before $100.00 a barrell. Try back when oil was $11.00 a barrell. I didn't like everything Ralph did, but I did appreciate the fact that he made decisions and stuck with them. Towards then end of his days in power, he seemed to really nosedive. Also, at least the guy had some color, not this this wet cookie in power now.

[itom 987]

I'm glad Ralph is gone from politics I think he is loosing his sanity.

[Markus41]

I never liked Ralph, but I am sick of this small minded farmer.

Is that perhaps because Calgary southern Alberta has now taken somewhat of a backseat to Edmonton and northern Alberta in terms of importance and funding? ;)

[Doug]

I miss Ralph's persona - the guy would make a great talk show host. He had more quotables than all other Canadian politicans of the era combined.

I've been missing his policies since about the mid 90's. He was so close to bringing the public sector into the real world and completely weening the Province from non-renewable resource revenue. Unfortuneately, he blinked when he said he would not. If only the promised right to work legislation had gone forward.

As far as same sex marriage goes, Alberta had a policy that was infinately more progressive than anything coming out of the Feds. Adult interdependent partnerships cover every form of relationship where one party had become dependent on the other.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adult_interdependent_relationship_in_Alberta

[Edmonchuck]

I never liked Ralph, but I am sick of this small minded farmer.

Considering I've met this "small minded farmer" and found him to be rather intelligent and politically savvy, I'll argue your point pretty quick. Plus, I take exception to the correlation to small minds and farmers.

[freeweed]

As far as same sex marriage goes, Alberta had a policy that was infinately more progressive than anything coming out of the Feds. Adult interdependent partnerships cover every form of relationship where one party had become dependent on the other.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adult_interdependent_relationship_in_Alberta

Yeah, it was funny. When I first moved here, before the feds had introduced the same-sex marriage legislation.. when I looked at Alberta's requirements for "common law" type marriages, they were far more progressive than any other province. It said right in the form that same-sex was allowed. I was floored. In any other province at the time, no dice.

Then again, much like recycling, Alberta's actually been ahead of the rest of the country for years (hello, bottle depots).

[freeweed]

Plus, I take exception to the correlation to small minds and farmers.

Just an observation, but that correlation is entirely created by yourself.

Stelmach can be described as a "small-minded farmer" without drawing any actual correlation between the two. Beyond what your own prejudices read into it. ;)

However, he's much better described as YAWN.

[Boris2k7]

Is that perhaps because Calgary southern Alberta has now taken somewhat of a backseat to Edmonton and northern Alberta in terms of importance and funding? ;)

I can't believe some of you still think that Stelmach has done anything to put "Calgary in the backseat" compared to Edmonton.

[cdnklc]

Just an observation, but that correlation is entirely created by yourself.

Stelmach can be described as a "small-minded farmer" without drawing any actual correlation between the two. Beyond what your own prejudices read into it. ;)

However, he's much better described as YAWN.

not a point worth debating - that's a description that could also have been given to pearson or roosevelt and a host of others who were outstanding leaders.

if i want charisma, i'll take $12.00 and give it to cineplex or pay for view. but if the election were to be held again tomorrow, i'd be happy to cast my "x" for stelmach's substance all over again in a heartbeat.

[Ponza]

Was the Global election coverage with Ralph on all over Alberta or just in Edmonton? Not sure if he was half corked but he could hardly put 3 words together.

[mersar]

Just Edmonton. Global Calgary decided to be smart and instead had one of the faculty from the University instead.

[wild wild west]

I abstained from boting - there needs to be a middle option.

He definitely was a character, and I would say overall did more good than bad while in office. While there are certain aspects of him that I miss, my general feeling is that he had reached the end of his shelf life by the time he left office.

[Deepstar]

Was the Global election coverage with Ralph on all over Alberta or just in Edmonton? Not sure if he was half corked but he could hardly put 3 words together.

Ralph Klein drunk?? That's so highly unlikely.

[Policy Wonk]

Considering I've met this "small minded farmer" and found him to be rather intelligent and politically savvy, I'll argue your point pretty quick. Plus, I take exception to the correlation to small minds and farmers.

I have met him too, he seems like a nice guy but he is still a walking anachronism.

[vaportrail]

Is that perhaps because Calgary southern Alberta has now taken somewhat of a backseat to Edmonton and northern Alberta in terms of importance and funding? ;)

The reportings of the Herald and Journal have displayed an enormous disparity of the man's leadership capabilities and accomplishments. I believe this disparity is at the very least somewhat indicative of each region's generalized perception. I expected as much during the PC leadership election but didn't anticipate the gap to continue as long as it has.

Of course the election results suggest little or no gap at all ...

Personally, I voted PC for the first time in my life very much in part because of Stelmach. Under Klein I would have, at best (wrt the Alberta PCs), abstained from voting.

[canucklehead2]

Miss him? Not at all...

I miss him, like I miss Irritable Bowel Syndrome... like I miss Flu Vaccines... like I miss snapping my ankle like a twig...

What I'm hoping for is a youthful, dynamic and intelligent leader who can unite all Albertans under a common goal. To me that person is Rachel Notley. Mark my words she is the future...

[Champion3]

I liked that Ralph would apologize whenever he made a big faux pas. Nobody would ever see a douche like Chretien admit and apologize about something. He also did balance a budget during tough fiscal circumstances.

Having said that, in his subsequent terms as premier he talked about running the province on autopilot. This was a terrible mistake -- change is forever present and a government on autopilot is by definition unable to deal with it. This whole "we had no plan" boom problem is the result.