Prentice says Wildrose attack ads against him are bad form

Alberta Premier Jim Prentice says it's bad form forthe Opposition Wildrose party to run attack ads against him duringhis byelection campaign because he's a party leader.

"When have there ever been attack ads in a byelection againstthe leader of a party in the history of our province?" Prenticeasked when speaking to reporters in Calgary on Friday.

"It's continued anger and negativity," he added. "What I hear on the doors from Albertans is that they're sick of this.

"What I hear from Albertans is they want to move forward."

Asked later for clarification, a spokesman for Prentice referred to the tradition of party leaders not being challenged by opponentstoo rigorously in byelections out of respect for the position.

"The premier's comments today were reflecting on how much thepolitical discourse has changed," Emily Woods wrote in an email.

"Historically, when a leader runs in a byelection, basiccourtesies are extended, and that is how the premier has alwaysconducted himself."

Opposition Wildrose legislature member Rob Anderson responded.

"If that doesn't sum up entitlement, I don't know what does,"said Anderson

"Clearly this guy thinks he's entitled to be premier of thisprovince and he's had, like what, 17,000 (PC party members) vote for him?"

Byelections heating up

Prentice is running in one of four byelections to fill vacancies,with voters going to the polls on Oct. 27.

Three byelections are in Calgary, the other is in Edmonton.

Prentice announced he would run in Calgary-Foothills afterwinning the Progressive Conservative leadership race in earlySeptember.

The opposition parties have vigorously contested the byelections.

The Wildrose party has run TV attack ads on Prentice, using aNixonesque picture of him with his arms outstretched, fingers onboth hands making the V for victory sign.

The ad mocks Prentice's promise to clean up the spending scandalsof the Redford era.

"(Prentice promised) change, like promising to clean upgovernment -- and then handing out free PC memberships to get morevotes," says the ad.

"Jim Prentice isn't change. He's just more of the same."

Opposition politicians have accused Prentice in turn of ignoringthe unwritten courtesy of governing politicians not just promisingbut actually spending public money to buy votes while on thecampaign trail.

In recent days, Prentice has launched massive programs to buildschools, house seniors and reduce hospital wait times at the sametime Education Minister Gordon Dirks and Health Minister StephenMandel are running in two of the other byelections.

Prentice also held an elaborate signing ceremony with popularmayors Don Iveson of Edmonton and Calgary's Naheed Nenshi last week.

As flashbulbs popped, Prentice and the mayors signed a formal document pledging they will talk about more powers for cities.

"(And) now," said Anderson, "(Prentice) is complaining thatthe opposition isn't being nice enough to him?"

"This is the problem with the PC party. They really do feel it'stheir God-given right to rule. And anybody who questions that rightis out of line."

"Pumpkin premier"

It's been a bruising campaign.

On Wednesday, Prentice was mocked on social media as the"Pumpkin premier" when he declined to show up at a candidatedebate in Calgary-Foothills.

Organizers put a pumpkin on the table in front of his emptychair.

On Friday, Prentice said if there is a true grassroots debate, he'll be there.

"I'm pleased to do one if there is one that is set up,sponsored, supported and attended by the constituents ofFoothills," he said.

Prentice can't say he wasn't warned he was in for a rough ride.

Wildrose Leader Danielle Smith said in early September, before Prentice won the party leadership race, that he would enjoy no byelection honeymoon.

The Wildrose has long accused the Tories under Redford of inflicting petty slights, including cutting the caucus off from routine government announcements.

"A party that doesn't deliver the courtesies to the opposition shouldn't expect that they can invoke protocol when it's convenientfor them," said Smith at the time.

"We'll be fighting tooth and nail."