Ralph Klein leaves behind massive political shoes that will be hard to fill
Posted Mar 29, 2013 7:38 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
When it comes to Ralph Klein’s political legacy, experts and politicians say his personal touch contributed to his ability to get things done.
Mount Royal Political Scientist Duane Bratt says along with his record of slashing debt and a come from behind victory to win the Calgary Mayor’s race, it was his personality that made him so memorable.
“Personal charisma, that Klein had and his ability to relate to individuals of any social spectrum,” he tells 660News. “You either have it or you don’t have it and Ralph had it.”
Political Consultant Allan Bonner echoes that sentiment saying it’s the reason so many other Canadian leaders had a force to reckon with Klein, because he had such a powerful backing from the people.
“They’re all kinds of people in politics as the expression goes, that you’d like to have a beer with but you probably don’t want to have the second one, or you would rather someone who is a little more sophisticated, I think Ralph Klein was a regular guy in the good sense and the enduring sense,” says Bonner.
“Ralph Klein had to have in the back of his mind what a classy and sophisticated guy Peter Lougheed was and that wasn’t him …. he was his own man.” Bonner adds.
“He’s a pretty rare politician to maintain his humility, to make tough decisions, to be disciplined enough to follow it through, keep his promises, I would hope we would see more politicians in that vain and I think people will truly look to his as an inspiration,” says Wildrose leader Danielle Smith.
