B.C.'s new Premier-in-waiting Christy Clark must leap some tall hurdles from the get-go.
The most talked-about challenge may be gathering party insider loyalty, but it's hardly the death knell for the Liberal brand.
Fractures are going to occur in a coalition, it is the nature of salesmanship contests and that is what such interval elections are. Fractures don't always kill parties.
What would kill the Liberal party's long-term chances is if Kevin Falcon's diehard supporters can't pull in their bottom lip.
Perhaps the solution to avert a potential temper tantrum is realizing the party's best chance for redemption is support from outsiders. Clark was wise to open her victory speech on Sunday with a message to all B.C. residents. That's the right launching point for any new premier.
As proven by the tens of thousands of new Liberal members who signed up to have a say on Sunday, the vote included more than the typical long-time card-carrying party devotee. It involved the many taxpaying B.C. residents who were sick of the tunnel-visioned Liberals.
Clark seemed to grasp this more than any other candidate, and as it turns out, it's what led to her victory.
Compare this to Falcon, who said those outside the Liberal Party "don't matter," and George Abbott, who showed his ugly side when he released an attack pamphlet discrediting Clark.
It's obvious voters decided it was time to send a message to the flailing Liberals, and shaking up the framework was the way to go.
By choosing a self-professed "outsider" touting change and providing a less tone deaf ear, the party may have redeemed itself for the next general election.
The danger is if Clark goes too far left or right. She's in the precarious position of bringing disparate factions into one central tent (to borrow the latest political fad term).
And that's just what she seems to be doing - by championing, for example, "family first" ideals through increased employment opportunities. With this one plank, she covers concerns from business leaders, workers and social program organizers. But while there's nothing to gnash teeth over, there's also nothing to sink teeth into.
Thankfully, she has the advantage of an experienced caucus to provide her with substantive policy ideas.
Prince George's MLAs come to mind. They immediately jumped into Clark's tent after her victory - and our new premier should be the better for it.
Hopefully Shirley Bond and Pat Bell have embraced the will of the people and accept that B.C. wants the change Clark seems to promise, because she'll need help bringing substance to her vague notions.
And hopefully for the North, Clark will see that the MLAs representing the Prince George area have the backing of their constituents, and these elected officials need to remain in important cabinet positions.
The people have provided the Liberals with another chance. Now it's up to Clark to deliver.
