B.C. Liberal Leadership

Will George Abbott's gamble pay off in the B.C. Liberal leadership race?

by Charlie Smith on February 26th, 2011 at 3:34 PM
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      When B.C. Liberal leadership hopeful George Abbott declared that Kevin Falcon was his second choice, it probably created some confusion among federal Liberals.

      After all, Falcon was perceived as the right winger in the race, with ties to the former federal Reform party. He was also supported by many federal Conservatives.

      Abbott, on the other hand, was seen along with Christy Clark as the liberals in the race. Abbott even called for more spending on the arts.

      But Abbott could have had ulterior motives by saying he would support Falcon as a second choice.

      If most of Abbott's supporters follow his lead, it could sharply reduce second-vote support for Clark in today's (February 26) vote.

      When Mike de Jong comes fourth after the first-place votes are counted, Clark will probably come up short of 50-percent support.

      She may also come up short of the halfway mark when de Jong's second-place votes are counted, because there likely won't be very many of them.

      If Clark and Abbott are ahead of Falcon at that point, then Falcon's second-place votes will be added to the mix.

      Abbott's public declaration to back Falcon as his second choice might be rewarded by Falcon supporters going for Abbott as their second choice.

      It may not be enough to make Abbott premier. But if he happens to win tonight, he's going to look like a shrewd tactician for his unconventional decision to announce his second choice in advance of the vote.

      Follow Charlie Smith on Twitter at twitter.com/csmithstraight.

      Comments

      2 Comments

      Good Strategy for Falcon

      Feb 27, 2011 at 12:06pm

      A loser for Abbott when he and Falcon do their best to make sure Clark wouldn't rule the day, Abbott does himself in by teaming up with Falcon. I can see Falcon wanting to team up with Abbott but not the other way around he had the numbers not Falcon but the minuite he backed Falcon he changed the name of the game and gave Christie her win.

      Richard May

      Mar 2, 2011 at 11:33am

      The second round count was actually very close between Abbott and Falcon. Just a slight additional boost to Abbott and he might have made the final two. It is my opinion that Abbott might have done better in the final two than Falcon did. Falcon's second choicers were more likely to pick Abbott than Abbott's to pick Falcon.