Via Daveberta, comes this (troubling/frustrating/useless/glorious) news that Ralph Klein is planning to stay on until the fall of 2007.

With at least half a dozen leadership candidates vying for the cushiest political job in Canada, one imagines things are going to get very testy between the candidates if Ralph does decide to stick around for that long. And, as an Alberta Liberal, that’s music to my ears.

I also suspect we’re in for never-ending speculation about Ralph’s true departure date. So, with that in mind, I’m pleased to launch the “Overstayed Welcome Pool“. All you have to do is predict Ralph’s departure date. Closest wins…well…nothing really, except the pride of knowing you are by far the greatest political pundit in Canada. And, remember, if Ralph tries to pull a Chretien, it’s the date of departure, not the date of announced departure that matters.

So, enter one and all. Myself, I’m going to go for May 20th, 2006.