EDMONTON -- A clip of Ralph Klein's recent risque sex joke about Belinda Stronach landed on a few of YouTube's hottest hit-lists this week.
After one day of posting on the popular Internet file-swapping site, the Alberta premier's controversial wisecrack became one of the "most viewed" and "most discussed" videos in YouTube's Friday collection. By Saturday, it was also rated one of YouTube's "top favourites" for the week.
By Saturday afternoon, the Klein clip had been viewed more than 19,500 times and more than 100 comments had been posted about the video. It was watched more often than a talk between comedian Jerry Seinfeld and The Daily Show host Jon Stewart that was posted a day later. The Seinfeld clip was watched just over 12,000 times in a day.
"It got wide coverage, that's for sure," Klein's communications director, Marisa Etmanski, said Saturday.
"If it just puts a smile on people's faces, good for YouTube. As long as people understand those comments were made at a roast where the premier himself got roasted they talked about his weight and they talked about his drinking."
Klein made the off-colour quip alluding to Stronach's very public romance, and subsequent break-up with Foreign Affairs Minister Peter MacKay during a fundraising roast last Tuesday night in Calgary.
The joke, scripted by Klein's office staff, poked fun at Liberal MP Stronach for crossing the floor from the federal Conservatives.
"I don't think she ever did have a Conservative bone in her body. Well, except for one," Klein said to a mix of groans, laughter, claps and whistles. "Well, speaking of Peter MacKay..."
Media across the country reported the suggestive line that sparked some backlash against the premier. Stronach called it an example of the "rough and nasty" treatment that causes some women to shy away from politics.
The response from Klein's YouTube viewers ranged from appreciative to outraged.
One viewer wrote: "It wasn't a joke you'd tell in the Legislature, but it worked perfectly in an informal roast... Go King Ralph."
Another accused Canadian politicians of lacking professionalism. "Ralph Klein, have some class."
YouTube was founded less than two years ago. More than 100 million clips are viewed daily on the site.
Edmonton Journal
Alberta premier Ralph Klein was at the annual Calgary Homeless Foundation roast Tuesday evening when he poked fun at Liberal MP Belinda Stronach crossing the floor from the Conservatives to the Liberals. "I wasn't surprised that she crossed over to the Liberals. I don't think she ever did have a Conservative bone in her body. Well, maybe one." Referring to Conservative MP Peter MacKay, her ex boyfriend.  "Well, speaking of Peter MacKay...," he continued.

Klein refused to apologize for the remark saying: "I'm making no apologies....I read the copy and I approved. I thought it was a funny line....So did Bruce his bodyguard," he added.

"A roast is a roast is a roast. It's not a toast," Klein told reporters.

The audience laughed at the joke, but after some people said they felt uncomfortable with it.

"Ms. Stronach roasted the premier two years ago and made remarks about his weight, his clothing and even his flatulence," Marisa Etmanski, Klein's press secretary, told the Canadian Press. "In a roast situation, these remarks were hysterical, and that's the same kind of thing that happened this year."

Calgary Stampede Parade
Stronach, a feminist, was offended by the joke and said that "we want to attract many more women to participate in politics" and "improve the civility that occurs in public life." 

Stronach was in Montreal on Thursday for an international conference on global poverty and defended herself from the comment. "Ralph should put his money where his mouth is and buy a whole bunch of bednets to save kids from malaria in Africa."

The joke was taken from Mr. MacKay's alleged comment calling Stronach a "dog" last month in the House of Commons.

"I don't know of any person who is more respectful of women, who is less inclined to tell off-colour stories or use improper language," said Shirley McClellan, Klein's deputy premier. "I've worked with this gentleman for 17 years, and have never been treated with anything more than the utmost respect. And I am so disappointed in our media."

The video (see external links section) has made its way around the popular internet video site YouTube. It has been viewed more than 19,500 times and more than 100 comments had been posted about the video.