History Repeating Itself........over and over and over

Like lunch scarfed down at a greasy diner, political history is repeating itself. When will people learn that a hamburger loaded with all the trimmings dripping in juicy fat coupled with a large order of deep fried onion rings will cause bloating gas emissions? When will politicians realize that there is a time limit to their "day in the sun," and that if they stick around they start to stink? It looks like the lesson has yet to be absorbed by yet another "Master of his domain."

The writing was on the wall, Ralph. Given your proven abilities to read the political atmosphere, what the hell were you thinking by announcing that you were going to step down, but not for a couple of years? Then you followed that goofy statement with a banishment potential keeners from your cabinet. Two weeks later, after the media has turned on you and basically had written you off as a desperate has been, you get up in front of your "people" and deliver a last ditch effort plea to suport your personal desire to remain at the top of the hill.

During his speech Friday night to about 1,200 delegates at the party's annual convention, Klein seemed to plead for his political future, asking the party faithful to let him retain his job for another two years.

"I ask you to give me - one final time - your endorsement to achieve what I have laid out for the duration of this mandate," Klein said.

"If you see fit to give me that support, I pledge to you that I will work as hard as I possibly can to bring continued honour to this party and continued prosperity to this province we love."

The speech was stunningly humble for a man who has led the party to four majority governments over 13 years - the most recent just 16 months ago - and made Alberta the country's only debt-free province.

But discontent has been brewing lately in the party, and many thought there was a chance Klein would announce plans to speed up his March 2008 departure date.

Throughout the Calgary convention centre, many people listened to his Hail Mary speech stonefaced with arms folded, applauding only at the end.

The political landscape is littered with cast offs who overstayed their welcome...........individuals who somehow started their political career as Ambassadors of their party but then absorbed the shallow rhetorical messages that they were powerfully unbeatable and loved by all.

Politics is a nasty fickle bitch. Politics massages ripe egos and makes leaders believe that fairy tale fiefdoms are to be had. C'mon, Ralph you knew that, didn't you? You knew that the life of a leader has a beginning and an end............EVEN during good economic times? Did you not learn anything from Richard Hatfield's soaring freefall? Mulroney? Chretien? Margaret Thatcher? And now, Tony Blair? Were you so ensconced, surrounded by "yes" people who soothed and patted you and told you what you wanted to hear that you forgot how to read the writing on the wall?

I'm sorry, buddy, but even I could see the train passing by the station from my Maritime front lawn............. No big whupping surprise! The moment in time when you could leave at the top of your game has come and gone, and that's a shame. But, it's not too late to suck in your overarching pride and to step down from your podium. Then, go into the corner for a time out and eat some humble pie.

Don't worry, Ralph. In a year or so a big honkin' Royal Commission will be called for some such scandal and you will be called upon to head it up. You'll get some more media attention and get to make some fiery speeches again.......just in time to soothe that sorry ego.

OR...............I hear there's a Liberal Leadership race. Interested? Best don your McKlein kilt rosen up that bow.......... and you'll fit right in!

It's somethin' isn't it?