Wildrose snaps up two Tories

The Wildrose Alliance Party of Alberta, led by newly elected leader Danielle Smith, had only one member, Paul Hinman, elected in the Alberta Legislature in a recent Calgary byelection.  The latest poll shows the party, not just slightly ahead, but far ahead (39%) of the PCs (25%) and Liberals (25%).

Now the latest news as part of this momentum is two PC MLAs have crossed the floor to the Wildrose Alliance--Heather Forsyth and Rob Anderson.

Now with three members in caucus, they are now ahead of the NDP and have achieved official party status, meaning they'll get more questions in Question Period, and a budget.

Not long ago, there were rumours that up to ten PC MLAs were thinking of crossing the floor to the Wildrose.  To be honest, I'm surprised that even two switched allegiances as the Wildrose still has a ways to go to build all 82 riding associations and nominate good candidates.

For example, if the Wildrose puts in an inexperienced student who did no campaigning as their candidate in my riding, as they did last time, and the PCs put forth one that is not as good as they had last time, I don't know who I'd vote for.

That said, there's no doubt that the Wildrose and Danielle Smith continue to gain momentum in proportion to the Ed Stelmach Tories decline in support, not just from voters, but from within his own party.

Danielle Smith continues to chip away at Ed's party, raising doubt amongst PC supporters.  Question is, how much further can this continue to happen?  If it continues, then this could be the dramatic Alberta political shift that happens every 30-35 years or so where a new party comes in and wins and wins and wins.  I don't think we're there yet, but it's sure going to be interesting if it happens.