ALBERTA VOTES 2008

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Reporters' Notebook

Happy new year! Oops.

February 19, 2008 | 03:40 PM
John ArcherJohn Archer

Politicians shaking hands and making chit-chat with campaign workers is part of the job these days. It makes for good photo-ops and helps rally the troops before sending them out to knock on doors or put up campaign signs.

But it's probably a good idea to never assume anything when you're trying to make small talk.

Witness this exchange between Tory Leader Ed Stelmach and a volunteer on Monday at an Edmonton campaign stop:

Stelmach: Hi, how are you?

Worker: Fine, thank you sir.

Stelmach: So, is it already past, uh, the new year?

Worker: Of course, well, yeah, I'm not Chinese but I'm Filipino.

Stelmach: You're Filipino….

Listen to audio of the exchange here.

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