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It’s the economy, stupid. Outside of wartime, it always was, is and likely will be when it comes to elections.

Which is why this nasty little ruckus surrounding shenanigans during Jason Kenney’s successful race for the crown of the United Conservative Party won’t be anywhere near close enough to keep the NDP in power, following the provincial election.

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Sure, the idea of a candidate being introduced as a stalking horse to nobble another runner and thereby leave Kenney clear without sullying his paws by mudslinging leaves a sour taste.

And, considering a half-drunk carton of milk should be as popular as our current premier due to the state Alberta’s in, then Kenney and Rachel Notley’s similar personal appeal polling doesn’t say much for the UCP leader’s current claim on the hearts and minds of fellow citizens.

But that’s a polling sideshow. The main event isn’t about which leader is most likeable but which party will get most seats, and that’s Kenney’s lot. Edmonton could well stay NDP orange — heck, they’ve hired enough public servants to sway that outcome — but rural Alberta will balance the scale with a Tory landslide.