There’s a blanket ban on journalists referring to Barack Obama and getting people excited about politics — or at least there should be — so instead of trying to deftly illustrate the lack of excitement the Alberta Liberal Party leadership race between Dave Taylor, David Swann, and Mo Elsalhy is generating, we’ll simply start by saying that when the Liberals choose a new leader this weekend, many Albertans will likely take little notice.

Even political junkies were getting their fix elsewhere during the three candidates’ several debates, as the federal election, the American election, the federal coalition, and the subsequent suspension of Parliament kept both the media and the public busy.

Of course, not many people paid attention to the provincial election in March, either, notes Jacquie Lycka, a Liberal youth group leader, and getting people to pay attention to internal party politics is even harder.

Indeed, just getting people interested in politics was one of the early themes of the race. When the Progressive Conservatives won another sweeping mandate in the March provincial election, a very public debate began about the future of the party. As outgoing leader Kevin Taft said several times, “Everything is
on the table.”

Progressives of all stripes discussed the strength of Alberta’s democracy. A merger with the NDP was floated, but mostly rejected. A name change was also debated. Swann hosted town hall meetings on democracy in both Edmonton and Calgary, but those stopped when Swann himself entered the leadership race.

During the race, all three candidates have talked about the need to grow the party, to reach out to young people, and to better communicate the party’s ideas to Albertans. We’ll have to wait for the next election to see if any of it comes to fruition.

Here’s what the candidates had to say about why they are the person to turn things around:

Dave Taylor

• 55 years old

• Married, with two children

• Two-term MLA for Calgary-Currie

• Former radio talk show host

The Pitch: “I’m the best guy for the job because one of the things the party needs to do in Alberta is get noticed. My 30-year career in media taught me how to do that.... I know how to give reporters the kinds of answers they are looking for. I know how to condense things down to a clear presentation on the doorstep.”

The Major Differences: “Business is a very important part of our society here in Alberta, and you have to take that into consideration. Business-friendly doesn’t just mean friendly to the oil and gas business or a particular corner of the private sector. You have to be friendly to big business and small business.

“There is a difference in tactics between David Swann and me.... David is all about process, and I’m about results.... I think Albertans are about problem-solving. Let’s put our collective heads together, and
get ’r done.”

His Chances: “Taylor is the front-runner. He brings communications skills. He’s from Calgary, which seems to be the growth area for the party,” says Harold Jansen, political scientist at the University of
Lethbridge.

David Swann

• 59 years old

• Married, with three children and three grandchildren

• Two-term MLA for Calgary-Mountain View

• Former family doctor and public health consultant

The Pitch: “My background is consistently working with communities and individuals at getting to root causes in the public interest.... It’s only reluctantly that I was pulled into this sphere by the clear lack of respect for democracy, the clear lack of understanding of the links between public policy and public health.”

The Major Differences: “I’m not about, and I’m not thinking specifically about the next election. I’m thinking about re-engaging Albertans in their democracy. The best chance we have of restoring democracy to Alberta is this party. People are looking to us for leadership and we have not so far inspired them to see us as an alternative.... That’s the worst of politics to me, when it’s just about winning. This is a very important process that’s about building and learning and creating a sense that our purpose is much bigger than winning.... The process is as important as the destination. If you don’t have a good process, then it’s all about winning, and that’s what people hate about politics.”

His Chances: “Swann has ideas,” Jansen says. “He’s a smart guy, and no one doubts his commitment, but I think there are concerns that he would be the Stéphane Dion of the Alberta Liberals. He’s someone who doesn’t communicate very well, but is thoughtful and compassionate. He thinks well, but he might not be cut out for the nasty partisanship.”

Mo Elsalhy

• 37 years old

• Married with three children

• One-term MLA for Edmonton-McClung

• Works as a pharmacist in west Edmonton

The Pitch: “I’m younger than the other two. If we are serious about attracting the youth vote, I’m closer to their age at 37.... I know their issues and understand their language. I know how to market in that environment.

“I’m a newcomer. I’m a first-generation Canadian. I can tell that story and say, ‘This is a party that made me leader. This is a party that’s inclusive, that respects hard work and integrity.’”

The Differences: “Agriculture [policy] — this is an area that we have always done poorly in. I believe that for us to make inroads, we have to talk their talk. I don’t think the future is in biofuels, but in agriculture. I think Alberta should go back to growing food crops and raising poultry and cattle, to have an agri- and food-process business.”