klein's brilliant idea!

Klein orders leadership hopefuls to quit
March 15, 2006

EDMONTON (CP) - Alberta Premier Ralph Klein has shaken up what amounts to a two-year leadership race to replace him by ordering cabinet ministers seeking his job to resign their portfolios by June.

"This is to avoid any perception of any conflicts or personal advantages that one might have as the minister," Klein said Wednesday. "We have an agenda to get on with, and I think it will be easier for government to operate." Six men have indicated plans to run for the leadership of Alberta's Progressive Conservatives, including three cabinet ministers.

One of them, Advanced Education Minister David Hancock, said he was surprised by Klein's announcement. Hancock said he needs a few weeks to weigh his options on whether to resign or pull out of the leadership contest.

"I have a difficult decision to make," Hancock said. "Advanced education has been the government's No. 1 priority. There's lots of things that we've launched that I need to do or get going.

"That's a difficult thing to give up for that long a stretch of time and that wasn't what I was anticipating."

Klein plans to tender his resignation at the end of October 2007, but will remain in office until early 2008 to allow time for a leadership campaign.

The premier said he plans to shuffle his cabinet this summer to replace the ministers who resign.

Klein is also asking any other government members who plan to join the leadership race to come forward with their intentions by June.

"I don't want to appoint someone (to cabinet) from the ranks who might become a leadership candidate."

Transportation Minister Lyle Oberg conceded he was also taken off guard by the premier's decision.

"It's probably the best thing that could happen," said Oberg. "Ralph is levelling the playing field for everyone, so I think that's fair."

But Oberg also said the leadership race now officially begins in June as far as he's concerned and he plans to step up his fundraising. He also said that removing himself from cabinet will allow him to speak freely on key political issues.

"Being out of cabinet, you have the ability to say what you think," he said. "I have ideas about certain things and my morals and ethics allow me to say what I think."

Backbencher Ted Morton, another leadership contender, called Klein's action "a good idea for obvious reasons."

Former cabinet minister Mark Norris suggested earlier this week that sitting ministers would have an unfair advantage if they remained in cabinet.

"I know when I talk to people around Alberta they want to make sure this is a good race and to keep it as fair as possible," he said Wednesday.

Former finance minister Jim Dinning, perceived as the front-runner by some, has also expressed concerns about the advantage that cabinet ministers would have.

Dinning could not be reached for comment.

Intergovernmental Affairs Minister Ed Stelmach said he's not overly concerned about being pushed out of cabinet, which also means a pay cut of nearly $60,000 a year.

"Politics is fluid and you've got to be able to roll with the punches," he said. "In our particular situation, it allows us to organize even better and cover even more communities in the province."

Liberal Leader Kevin Taft said it's a good idea for Klein to ask for the resignation of cabinet ministers involved in the Tory leadership race.

"The Tories are going to be so distracted as it is, we can't afford to have several key cabinet ministers trying to run government departments and run for the leadership as well."