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There’s a quixotic madness in the Alberta Party’s plan to launch a leadership campaign, find a charismatic party boss, and somehow swamp both the NDP and the UCP in the next election.

The tiny party doesn’t have the money or skills for the job. It doesn’t even have a leader, afterGreg Clark was gently pushed into resignation.

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We shouldn’t underestimate zeal and desire. The Alberta Party could win some ridings in 2019.

But the odds are very long.

The party has never won more than 2.28 per cent of the popular vote. As a political entity, it exists only in one riding, Clark’s Calgary-Elbow. Many Albertans have never heard of it.

The timing is almost impossible. The party somehow has to find a leader, raise huge amounts of money, attract expert campaigners, build riding associations and nominate candidates. All that has to be well-advanced within a few months.

It’s remarkable, given the obstacles, that the Alberta Party has roused itself with so much energy.