NDP leader rocks Alberta election debate — and the Notley Crue shirts

It started with four, settled on two and ended with one clear winner: Rachel Notley, the Alberta New Democrat who took on her political rivals and left them in a bucket of flop sweat.

In the only televised leaders debate before the May 5 provincial election, Wildrose Leader Brian Jean, Liberal boss David Swann and Jim Prentice of the Progressive Conservatives came off as stiff or nervous as they tried to keep up with Ms. Notley. The NDP Leader was in full power mode from the moment she led off Thursday's forum by accusing the PC government of "protecting corporate tax giveaways instead of protecting your family's health care and schools."

Taxes, family health matters and education were key talking points. Mr. Jean stuck to his script, saying Wildrose was the only party that had promised not to raise taxes. Mr. Swann talked about "a governing party that has become cynical, complacent and often corrupt." And Mr. Prentice, even when the Liberal or Wildrose participants managed to address a question to him, kept turning his attention back to Ms. Notley as if his battle with her was the main event.

Experts said it was. Political strategist Corey Hogan tweeted: "The more they attack Rachel Notley the stronger she becomes …" Former Wildrose leader Danielle Smith added: "I'm in a room full of business conservatives. Feedback so far is the men look grim and Rachel looks great."

Tami Bereska agreed. The MacEwan University sociology professor was asked by Global TV to analyze the body language of the four candidates. What she saw was Mr. Prentice "sweating profusely after the first break" while Ms. Notley looked people in the eye and was able to communicate her feelings non-verbally through posture and smiles.

"She looked like she was enjoying herself," Ms. Bereska said. "David Swann looked as if he was holding onto the podium for dear life."

Now that the face-to-face encounters are done, the issue becomes whether Ms. Notley's performance can lead the NDP to an upset of the Alberta Tories. With less than two weeks to go, the possibility of a minority government remains very much in play. Mr. Prentice has described that arrangement as unappealing: "We need the stability and the leadership of a conservative, majority government." Ms. Notley remains open to a coalition, but insisted she is running for the premier's office.

When the debate ended, a viewers' poll had Ms. Notley winning with 73 per cent. Mr. Prentice chugged in at 15.62.

Keeping it real, sort of

What's a political campaign without levity? Answer: a root canal without freezing.

Fortunately, Albertans were given a chance to chuckle this week over a pair of items that did not come up during Thursday night's debate.

The first was about a PC security detail driving its SUV smack dab into the back end of Mr. Prentice's campaign bus. The PC leader was on the bus at the time with eight other people. No one was seriously injured.

The RCMP were called to the accident near Rocky Mountain House and noted that dust from the gravel road the two vehicles were driving on might have been a factor. It made for an outpouring of wisecracks that the SUV driver must have been "looking in the mirror," a touch of karma for Mr. Prentice having told Albertans if they wanted to know who was responsible for the province's financial plight, all they had to do was look in the mirror.

The week's second guffaw had to do with NDP Leader Ms. Notley getting on board with Notley Crue.

The name, of course, is a play on metal rockers Motley Crue, and has been printed on the front of black t-shirts, with Ms. Notley's campaign stops listed on the back like concert dates for a touring band.

Olav Rokne, who has described himself as a left-wing communication professional, decided to print the shirts as a gag for family and friends. He now sells them to raise funds for the NDP in the Edmonton-Beverly-Clareview riding.

The t-shirt has caught on with NDP supporters. Ms. Notley and her husband, Lou Arab, both have one, which means they have now secured the big-haired, heavy metal vote.

Last word

As for one politician's take on the Alberta leadership debate, Calgary mayor Naheed Nenshi tweeted: "You know, sometimes I get in trouble because I actually answer questions people ask me. I think I prefer that to this debate."