A blog by Calgary freelance writer Jeremy Klaszus.

Arrogance doomed Colley-Urquhart's campaign

Posted by Jeremy Klaszus in Klaszus Corner

Why did Ald. Diane Colley-Urquhart lose so badly in Monday's byelection?

Pundits have their theories, but one of the biggest clues is probably found in this blog post by the Herald's Renata D'Aliesio:

"I have no comment on the Wildrose Alliance party. I don't know much about them at all," [Colley-Urquhart] said.

She added she didn't know why a majority of voters in the byelection gravitated toward the party, choosing it instead of the long-ruling Tories and the established Liberals.

Wow. Colley-Urquhart was actively campaigning for over a month almost a month and didn't bother to learn about her opponents? It sounds unbelievable but the sad thing is she's probably telling the truth — she probably doesn't know much about the party because she thought she had this thing clinched.

Her campaign was characterized by this kind of Tory arrogance. Colley-Urquhart said she'd resign her council seat, then changed her mind. Presumably she thought voters would be okay with that. Amazingly, she wouldn't even give her municipal constituents the benefit of an explanation, refusing to comment on the reversal.

She eventually did comment, saying she was staying on because community leaders asked her to. A lame decision justified with a lame explanation.

One thing's clear after Colley-Urquhart's crushing defeat: The I-can-do-whatever-the-hell-I-want-because-I'm-a-Conservative-in-Alberta attitude doesn't fly anymore.


more in News     |     posted Sep 17th, 2009 at 11:52am     

Comments: 3

Jennifer Pollock wrote:

One thing's clear after Colley-Urquhart's crushing defeat: The I-can-do-whatever-the-hell-I-want-because-I'm-a-Conservative-in-Alberta attitude doesn't fly anymore.

Jeremy,
I hope you are right. Both Provincial and Federal Conservatives take their electoral support in Calgary for granted. When any candidate's disrespect extends from the opponents to their attitude toward the public, they should be defeated.

on Sep 17th, 2009 at 12:20pm Report Abuse

andrewmcintyre wrote:

In examining this "arrogance" meme, let's not forget DCU's response to the question of whether she would put the needs of her constituents before her party if they came into conflict. Her one word answer, minus even an attempted explaination of her misplaced loyalties, is an important piece of this story.

on Sep 17th, 2009 at 1:44pm Report Abuse

wildebeest1958 wrote:

Jennifer Pollock wrote:
"When any candidate's disrespect extends ... to their attitude toward the public, they should be defeated."

... says the federal Liberal candidate.

That's pretty rich, considering the source.

on Sep 18th, 2009 at 1:44pm Report Abuse


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