Who's on First? Ballem I think...

Well there were a couple of editorials in the Guardian on Saturday talking about the upcoming PC Leadership race and what I don't understand is why these writers just don't come out with their predictions... they seem to just want to skate around what they think will be the real outcome, which is sort of like how some of our politicians like to talk, in circles... what's wrong with just being out there and giving us their view, why be afraid to tony up as I don't think anyone is going to spank them? When the race first started I thought Olive had it locked up as Jamie Ballem was late off the mark but like I said on Twitter I'm now predicting that Ballem will win and just maybe on the first ballot...

Although I have no inside lane in the PC party (as I'm a big liberal) here's what I think the delegates will or should have on their minds.... the Party may not want to hear this but none of the 5 candidates will overcome Ghiz in the next election so they have to consider a leader who "may" (carefully used word here) have to step aside for Ghiz's third crack at it and anyone whose dealt with Olive knows she wouldn't... where on the other hand if Ballem lost to Ghiz the first time out it would be pretty easy to buy him off with an appointment and get a fresh dynamic face against what would then be a third term Premier... and the delegates just have to think back at to where they were with Pat Mella after the 89 election and it's not hard to let Ballem take this bullet

The other thing playing against Olive is the rumour that the PC Party “establishment” is against her and personally I think the idea that there is such a controlling crowd in any party is just nonsense at best... but she did annoy a lot of people over the PNP file which doesn’t even rear its head on top 10 issues facing Islanders and there are a lot of Tories who are now concerned that she won’t “listen” their way... Mike Currie supporting Ballem says a lot!!!

I also think that Ballem was smart to offer up an original “idea” on energy saving not that I think it will work but it sure sounds good, possible and positive, something I’ve not heard coming from the others....

I guess my last comments will be left with the rumour that Olive has all the others on the second ballot but my thinking is the other three are looking for something afterwards and they may get it from the Ballem style of politics but never from the Olive branch... so my bets on Ballem on the first and if there’s a second then he’ll still prevail... at least Ballem is a creditable known identity and if he can’t win a seat next October then it’s no big deal to start fresh for 2015! Who’s on First?