www.ChrisLaBossiere.com

I am back from spending a week, one day at the PC Association of Alberta annual general meeting. I intend to provide a series of blog posts on my observations, but I really want to be careful to ensure I give it a lot of thought and proper consideration.

But one thing I feel needs to be said relates to my previous posts on Premier Ed Stelmach. I have been in the same room with our Premier four times in the same number of days, and have had the chance to engage him in conversation. I owe him recognition for something that really stood out for me. He has many of the character qualities that I want to see in the Premier of this Province. I am the first to admit that I find it easy to criticize the day-to-day tactics of the Government. I'm sure I'll continue to do that; but I need to be clear and say that this is a man who makes up for many mistakes by providing me with comfort in his intent.

I don't think I am alone in my observation. In fact I would argue that the 78% of PC party delegates who voted to support him in the leadership review, did so because they want to give him as much chance as possible to make some of the changes necessary, in his own way. I also saw many indications that we will see some changes sooner rather than later.

I know what you're thinking... "this LaBossiere character is a fat, hypocritical, flip-flopper". Well firstly, that was a bit harsh, and you should take it back. But also, I want you to know a little something about me:

1. I don't believe in absolutes. I may speak in absolutes when I get passionate about something, but I also try to fight cognitive dissonance. That not only means revisiting my thoughts on something again and again, but I also want to see the same quality in my leaders. If you speak in absolutes all the time, you can find yourself in a hard spot trying to defend yourself when you're wrong. (Ed strikes me as someone who maybe questions himself too much)
2. When taking the inventory of the character of a person, I don't weigh all attributes equally. We should all do that, as none of us are perfect. So if it was a recipe, I'd say one-part honesty or humility, will always be worth more than it's equal part communication skills or political astuteness.

But, rest assured, this is not me giving the PC Party or Premier Stelmach a free pass. I saw many things this weekend that troubled me about the party. I'll be blogging about those, and even offering what I think it should be doing differently. I know that you can't just intend to lead the Province, you have to do it. It's just that something tells me, based on personal observations this weekend, that the Premier also sees some of these problems.

Of course I might just be proven wrong, and as you know from my previous posts, that wouldn't be a first. Luckily for you however, you didn't vote for me, and your tax dollars are not used in the creation of this blog. So you can leave and not feel bad about the value you have received in the creation of it. If you stick around for a bit, I will have to at least consdier why reinventing the PC party might  be an even money bet vs. adopting a party that has it's origins from a Social Conservative, far-right movement.

On the topic of betting however, I am always one to hedge my bets, and will be looking forward to bringing this mindset to the over-subscribed Reboot Alberta event at the end of the month. I also look forward to the continued commentary of my other-minded friends and admired thoughts-leaders.