The next provincial election isn鈥檛 until May 14, 2013, but that isn鈥檛 stopping Premier Christy Clark and her deputy, Rich Coleman, from full-fledged preparations.
Coleman, who is the BC Liberals鈥� campaign chair, invited Clark to his annual supporters鈥� appreciation barbecue at the farm of Dixie and Roy Jacobson on Sunday, and she was the centre of attention for most of the 600 or so in attendance.
Both emphasized the election readiness of the BC Liberals and the fight they expect with the NDP, who have been leading in opinion polls for many months.
鈥淲e are well-positioned and ready to go,鈥� Coleman said.
鈥淚 urge you to look past the fluff of what the media says and look at the person. She deserves to be elected as premier in 2013.鈥�
鈥淥ur coalition believes in one thing 鈥� the power of free enterprise,鈥� said Clark.
鈥淭he power of a thriving private enterprise economy lifts everybody up. It makes sure our kids have opportunity.
鈥淣o one reminds us of that better in caucus than Rich Coleman.
鈥淭o him I say, 鈥楤ig guy, you鈥檝e really made a difference,鈥欌�� she said.
Clark acknowledged that it鈥檚 a 鈥渉ard job鈥� as premier, and 鈥渦nrewarding a lot of the time.
鈥淵ou get beat up every day.鈥�
She said she tried to weigh the risks and rewards as she considered running for the Liberal leadership in 2011, but said ultimately she thought of the example she was setting for her son.
鈥淲hat kind of example was I setting if I run away from a challenge?
鈥淭hat ultimately was the reason I decided to run.鈥�
