Well, of course I went, and of course I offered a question regarding dwindling rural population along with a gentle pry for a strategy to combat it, although I think a couple of them just didn't get it. Maybe that was my fault, but I digress. Hey, I even bought a membership and registered for the convention! But mostly, I did exactly what I planned on doing...I listened intently to what each of the candidates had to say. Many of the answers I heard, I liked, some I didn't like. There were even a couple that I thought were a just baaaaad.

In spite of not agreeing with each of them on everything, think it's fair to say that each candidate does have something positive to bring to the table. It's too bad that we couldn't just shove them all into a blender, strain the chaff away and taadaa...we might have that 'perfect' leader the Island needs. Cumulatively, they have many great ideas, and I hope the eventual winner adopts some of those great ideas from the four runners-up. But as a seasoned Tory asked me that night, I wonder how many of the four who lose their leadership bid, will actually stick around to offer as a candidate in the next election? I have my hunches. Can't share 'em yet though.

But, if there's one thing that stuck in my mind while I was driving back from Poole's Corner...it wasn't anything that I heard in the room...it was what I saw in the room. Well, more specifically, what I didn't see in that room. I didn't see many younger voters.

HELLO, PROGRESSIVE CONSERVATIVE ORGANIZERS!!!

IF YOU WANT TO WIN THE NEXT ELECTION THEN YOU MUST ENGAGE YOUTHFUL VOTERS!!!

Sure, there were a few 20-somethings there Tuesday night, but the vast majority in that room were even older farts than me. And if the party is not attracting the attention of younger voters...that's a recipe for another four years wandering in the wilderness of opposition.

That group of 14-17 year olds that couldn't vote the last time, along with the last group of first-time voters, represents a sizeable demographic that's big enough to impact the outcome of the next election.

Well then? Get on with it!