Fifth-Term Landslide

"God gave us Premier Manning," said an Alberta farmwife, "and neither the Liberals, the CCF nor the devil can take him away from us." Last week, with the devil presumably abstaining, Bible Teacher Ernest C. Manning's Social Credit administration was swept into power for the fifth time in a row. With counting almost completed, Manning's forces held at least 49 of the legislature's 61 seats.

Manning's victory had been expected; the only surprise was its size. One disgusted Liberal organizer summed up: "There just aren't any political trends in Alberta except the trend that a hell of a lot of Albertans want to stick with Manning."

There are two reasons for this. Manning, at 43 the nation's youngest Premier, enjoys an unrivaled personal popularity, while his province is enjoying an unprecedented boom. A slight (135 lbs.), teetotaling Baptist, Manning has won a wide following with his special blend of evangelism and politics. Said Edmonton Voter Jim Mclvor: "I'm no church man like the Premier, with his preaching and his radio church hour, but I've got faith in Manning." So, too, have the big oil producers, who approve of Manning's handling of Alberta's rich oil and gas resources. The government holds 93% of the petroleum rights, distributes them fairly, siphons off just enough royalties to keep the province prosperous and industry encouraged.

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