I agree that Smith's strategy was the right one to let Albertans have their say now. To have not allowed a vote would have only fueled separatist feeling in the end.
But this is not over, not by a long shot! The separatists will keep at it, just like in Quebec, which is their right. That's why I want Harper back as CPC leader. He's the only person with enough credibility in the province to successfully put this issue to bed over the long term. IMHO, no one else can accomplish that. Harper is also the guy who can break the logjam on badly needed constitutional change.
So Canada won the battle tonight but she is still a long way from winning the war. Every living, breathing separatist already knows that. You ain't seen nothing yet coming from them. This is far from a done deal.
