Alberta Premier Jason Kenney must have had a good laugh as he watched Wednesday's UCP leadership debate..A bunch of lightweight wannabes, none of whom has the jam to lead a WalMart, let alone a province..I forced myself to watch this debacle, which had a really cool helicopter in back — in fact, I was more interested in that chopper than much of what was said. Whoever thought of that deserves kudos. The ambience was impressive. The eastern media called it big and gaudy, but screw them. If you don't like our style, go to hell..As for the debate, well ... I watched it, forced myself. And, Burt the cat also watched it by my side, with some coaxing of cat treats.. Burt catches some zzzzzs while Aheer debatesBurt catches some zzzzzs while Aheer debates .We had some differences of opinion, but I thought I would share his feline thoughts just because he's more objective than me..You see, though he may only be four years old in people years, he's actually 24 in cat years, which means he's of voting age..And there's no law on the books that says cats are not allowed to have and share political views..Before we go to who won the debate — if anyone did indeed "win" — let's talk about the performance of the candidates themselves..Let's start with, from left to right:.Todd Loewen:.Remember that television show, The Weakest Link? Burt thought Loewen was ultra-lightweight, and didn't impress with any of his comments..Not that he was a bad candidate or anything — unfortunately this show was all about attacking Danielle, the current leader in the UCP race..But, as Burt says, it's all about how you use the space you're given (he reminds us of when the Rolling Stones were forced to raise money by giving concerts in the London Underground). Keith said Mick was amazing, no matter how much space he was given..Mr. Loewen didn't even come close..Danielle Smith:.I remember her, I worked with her at the Herald many years back, but I doubt she even took notice of me. And that's her problem. She doesn't relate to the common man..Burt saw the same things. She said stupid stuff earlier this week on cancer, prompting a deluge of phone calls from across the nation..But, Burt was OK with her stand on the Alberta Sovereignty Act, which permits Albertans like you, me and cats to avoid enforcing some federal laws. I mean, if Quebec can get away with sh-t, so can we!.Burt says bite them, just bite those feds and, if you have to, scratch them with your back legs..The Burtman, is also a lady's man — all the ladies on our condo floor adore him — and he was quite enamored with Danielle..Rajan Sawhney:.The less said about her, the better, says Burt. He thought she was mean-spirited and presented herself as a know-it-all when she came from a disappointing administration that failed on most fronts..All she did was attack Danielle, to try to bring her down instead of telling us why we should vote for her when she was, in fact, a failure.Rebecca Schulz:.Nice lady, says Burt, but really, let's just move on. Burt says she should seek work elsewhere, like a charity organization or help Albertans some other way..Nothing personal, of course, but Alberta doesn't need a lightweight leader — we need Spartacus, says Burt!.Leela Sharon Aheer:.Burt didn't have much to say about her, to be honest. He may have dozed a bit, during Leela's moments..Could she get tough with Trudeau? Hmmm ....Travis Toews:.Toews says what sets him apart from the pack, is "stable, responsible, principled and proven leadership." Right..So what does Burt think? This guy is all me me me, says Burt. If he was a cat, he would take more treats than the other cats by saying he deserves it because he's better than them..But, would he make a good leader, I asked. Burt licked his paws, and said he wasn't sure. Maybe..Sometimes, it takes a shark to swim with sharks, he said..And finally ....Brian Jean:.Mr. Jean is my personal favourite, always liked him, but this column isn't about me, it's about Burt's opinion..Burt says he's not sure why, but he wanted to cheer on Jean, he wanted him to do well..Perhaps he should have worn a white Elvis suit, with blinking lights to get him more attention. (Burt liked Honeymoon in Vegas with Nicolas Cage)..In any case, Burt thought Jean did OK, although he could not understand why he would not support Danielle's stance on the Alberta Sovereignty Act..Alberta, says Burt, has to take that attitude when dealing with Ottawa. To rip it apart and knock it down in a public forum without giving it a shot might be a big mistake..In fact, it stinks of opportunism, says Burt, who's a Mackerel Tabbie that grew up on the mean streets of Red Deer..Burt knows the tough side of life, and he's all for trying anything — absolutely anything — to get a new deal from Ottawa..So, who won this mess? This Rooseveltian disaster on the prairies..Burt doesn't know who FDR is or was, but he didn't hesitate..Without question, Danielle. Anyone who wants to fight Ottawa is OK in my books, he says..She's Spartacus in heels, he says..With Brian Jean a close second..The rest, forget it. A bunch of poseurs, says Burt..So there you have it! Let the fur fly!
