Resisting the pull of cynicism since 1969.

Tuesday, October 14, 2008

Live from the Edmonton-Strathcona Linda Duncan victory party!

Just look, people. Just look:



I have in my lap an Edmonton-Strathcona Federal Election Planning Committee meeting agenda dated May 2nd, 2005. The first item on the agenda is "Candidate Search," and there's just one name under it: Linda Duncan. There are notes scribbled across the bottom in my horrible handwriting that say things like "get Linda's final edits tonight" and "$100 for website hosting $15/mo.". (Although it's all a bit tear-stained now and even harder to read than it once was.)

May 2005, all this started. And we never stopped. To draw an analogy for the benefit of my fellow Edmontonians who worked their asses off on the famous Don Iveson campaign and managed to get an unlikely but oh-so-deserving young man elected to city council: it was a lot like that for us, too. Except stretched over a lot more years, with a much bigger prize, and against even greater odds.

I am as proud of my work on that campaign as I am of anything else I've ever done, and there are literally dozens of other people who have every right to be just as proud. It was a hell of a team, and Linda Duncan is going to make one hell of an MP.

#

The internet campaigner/webmaster (Idealistic Pragmatist), the campaign manager (Erica Bullwinkle), and the NEW MP FOR EDMONTON-STRATHCONA (Linda Duncan)


19 comments:

Steve said...

CONGRATULATIONS!

West End Bob said...

I thought about you when I saw an extended segment on Global or CBC - can't recall which as I was switching back and forth.

That is so cool for you and Linda!

Wish I could say the same for Van Centre - we're still stuck with Hedy Fry. Oh well, at least it's not a Con, as they did very well in BC this cycle . . . .

Anonymous said...

A real turning point for Alberta - finally a reason to call this Redmonton for all the "left" reasons. One small crack on the blue horizon - let the orange sun shine through! Congratulations to Linda and to all those who worked so hard for the past three years to make this happen!

Anonymous said...

I was watching for this one tonight, and I couldn't be happier for you and Linda. Congratulations - you were clearly in this for the long haul, and it really paid off!

skdadl said...

Congratulations!

Greg said...

OMG. When did this happen? I went to bed at almost 1am eastern and the CBC had Duncan losing. This is so wonderful, IP. I am so happy for you.

Anonymous said...

Finally, thank you Linda, Erica and crew...we turned off the tv with Rahim giving his victory speech, in retrospect I loved his speech and will cherish it for quite a while...sorry for the American view, but it was kind of like Harry with the "all the news that's fit to print..." photo, Bill T

Idealistic Pragmatist said...

Greg,

It's enough to warm even your cynical little heart, isn't it?

And yeah, the CBC called it for Jaffer way prematurely. (In fact, Jaffer called it for Jaffer way prematurely!) But we knew that just like last time, it was our weak polls that came in first and our strong polls that were yet to come. So we never lost faith.

M@ said...

Congratulations! This was one of the few bright spots in a long, frustrating night. I'm thrilled that you guys could put a crack in Fortress Alberta. Here's to more seats next election!

leonsp said...

Congratulations.:-)

Anonymous said...

CONGRATULATIONS!

That is so amazing. I was watching Edmonton-Strathcona on the CBC riding tracker, and they actually had the riding as having elected Rahim Jaffer for a while. And it took them forever to update to show Linda Duncan as elected, even after they showed all the polls being counted.It's like they just couldn't believe it.

Idealistic Pragmatist said...

Deanna,

Yeah, we were really annoyed by that. Edmonton-Strathcona is an combination urban/suburban riding, with the urban areas showing NDP strength and the suburban areas showing Conservative strength. And we knew perfectly well that just like last time, all the first polls to come in were the suburban ones. CBC called it way, way early (as did our Conservative opponent, who actually made his victory speech last night!). We knew it couldn't be called until all the results were in, though, because we knew what a squeaker it was going to be either way.

Gary Taje said...

Congratulations on your major breakthrough. You all are to be commended for the excellent work done

Tyrone said...

Congratulations to all of you. This is a truly monumental achievement.

Ryan said...

Awesome! Alberta has a nice orange heart!

Anonymous said...

My paper copy of the Toronto Star this morning showed Jaffer winning, based on incomplete results. I wish they would flag more clearly the ridings in which the outcome is not yet known. Anyway, I was very pleased to be disabused by your blog post--congratulations to Linda and to you and all the other people who helped her win!

Greg said...

It's enough to warm even your cynical little heart, isn't it?

Cynical yes. Little, no. I am always glad to be proven wrong. It happens so seldom it is a treat. ;)

Anonymous said...

Hey, it's good news from Edmonton!  Meanwhile the local Tory Albrecht won his re-election handily (no surprise, most houses in my town had his signs on their lawns).

Here's hoping the Harper's minority is still small enough to prevent him from passing that copyright sell-out-to-the-Americans bill he keeps tabling.

laura k said...

CONGRATULATIONS!!!

You so rock.