When it comes to provincial premiers, it's actually really simple. Harper probably thinks that because he is a provincialist - Province, Province Uber Alles - he will have an easy time.
Perhaps Steve should have run to replace Ralph. I digress.
Anyway, in the interest of saving Steve some time, here it is in a nutshell:
As far as premiers are concerned, and irrespective of their individual political party, being prime minister means your job as prime minister is to be:
1. the scapegoat for everything wrong with the country; and
2. the source of endless cash to be transferred to the premiers' bank accounts without strings and with as little back-talk as possible.
In short, as far as Ralph, Danny and Dalton are concerned, Steve's new job is to be their bitch.
Or lemme put it another, slightly more familiar way:
It's Grade 5, Steve.
The jocks and jerks are coming for your lunch money.
Just like they used to.
Every day.
Every nerd in the country knows that pain.
[Left: Premier Ralph Klein said yesterday he was looking forward to his first meeting with incoming Prime Minister Stephen Harper.]