Alberta Election Podcast · Alberta Election Podcast

Episode 5 - The Debate (with guest host Cathy Moar)

May 20, 2023·58 min·5 clips

Vincent reveals their podcast got a one-star review with no comment, sparking laughter and disbelief.

This episode of the Alberta Election Podcast features host Vincent and guest host Cathy Moar, an experienced political campaigner and consultant, analyzing the recent provincial leaders' debate. They provide expert reaction to the televised encounter between UCP leader Danielle Smith and NDP leader Rachel Notley. The hosts examine the debate's format, which uniquely featured only the two main party leaders for a structured, interruption-free hour. The Media Consortium hosted the debate, which contained about 41 minutes of actual discussion between the leaders. Danielle Smith aimed to retain the Premier's office, while Rachel Notley sought to regain it. The hosts note the debate lacked specific mentions of Calgary issues like the Green Line or a city hospital, despite Calgary being a key battleground. Notley repeatedly challenged Smith's record, accusing her of breaking the law the morning of the debate regarding the ethics commissioner. Smith defended against accusations of privatizing healthcare, stating she would never make people pay out of pocket and promising to clear the surgical backlog by the following year. Notley attacked Smith's past statements on healthcare, while Smith criticized Notley's support for a carbon tax and potential production caps. The debate included a policy clash over utility bills, with Notley committing to continue subsidies that Smith's government structured as repayable loans. A surprising insight was that the debate, expected to be a knockout opportunity for Notley, resulted in a stylistic draw that the hosts considered a win for Smith. Smith's decades of experience as a journalist and radio host were seen as contributing to her calm, composed delivery. The hosts found it fascinating that the leaders often denied each other's accusations rather than clearly outlining their own contrasting policy visions. Notley showed more empathy in her opening statement by recognizing the wildfire crisis, while Smith struggled to say something positive about her opponent when prompted. Smith's closing statement was notably forward-looking and optimistic about Alberta's future. The Parkland Institute released a report on surgical wait times that contradicted some of Smith's claims, which the hosts reference. A key takeaway was that undecided voters tuning in for the first time might have seen two competent leaders, making their choice harder. The tone is conversational and analytical, blending insider political commentary with accessible explanations for less engaged voters. The style is informal and slightly humorous, with hosts joking about a one-star podcast review and referring to themselves as political nerds. This episode would appeal to Albertans following the election closely who want expert, behind-the-scenes analysis of the debate's strategic implications. Listeners seeking clear, partisan advocacy or definitive declarations of a debate winner might find this nuanced discussion less satisfying.

As heard by us

A debate-night debrief that tracks the campaign machinery, the missing human story, and the gap between rhetoric and substance.

Episode 5 reads as a debate-night debrief for the Alberta election podcast, with Kathy Moore bringing campaign, recruiting, policy, and Navigator experience to the table.

Read the full review in PlayNext →

Why you'd press play

For a post-debate read that sounds like campaign people talking shop.

Read the full recommendation in PlayNext →

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