Doesn’t that mean that the Green party should be there then?
Only if that’s the only criterion. I actually don’t have any problem with 5-way debates, I was just taking a cheap shot. 
I just noticed Duceppe saying “the provinces and Quebec”.
He also says, “Canada and Quebec.”
Yes. He’s not won my vote.
I wonder, with the right platform could he get the average Canadian to vote for Quebec sovereignty?
“NDP will never cut taxes.” Hee!
How does Gilles Duceppe talk about a Federal government wasting money with a straight face, when Quebec is sucking down billions and billions of dollars of transfer payments every year (and then turn around and tell us how Quebec needs to be its own country)?
Oh, I recall a couple of years ago when PM Harper actually did officially recognize Quebec as a nation. Big fat liar Duceppe.
Now, that would be an interesting vote!
Because to his target voter, all money is wasted that isn’t given to Quebec. As odious as he is, at least he’s upfront about it. The fact that the taps would be turned off if Quebec gained independence isn’t relevant; once that happens, Quebecois are… ah, what the the phrase? Lobsters in a pot. Transfers won’t be an issue anymore.
If Quebec could get more money by having a nuclear weapon explode in Winnipeg, Gilles would pass out the sunglasses.
I used to say if they really want to go, let them go. How long can they go being the spending black hole that they are? Quebec needs the rest of us, and we need them.
As honest as anything. Given the social goals of the NDP, they cannot cut taxes, and at least they’re not claiming that they will do so.
Well, I think Ignatieff didn’t do bad at all. Harper struck me as passionless, and how does one convince voters to support you if you’re not passionate about your beliefs? While Layton and Duceppe asked good questions, neither is going to be the next Prime Minister.
I’m still inclined to think that I would vote NDP, and would be mildly content with a Liberal government.
Layton: Embarrassing. You are the weakest link: goodbye. (And did he suddenly shrink by a foot, or what?)
Duceppe: Mailing it in.
Ignatieff: My 13 year old daughter asked “Who’s the meanie? And who’s voting for him?” Meh. He was all right and if he was PM I wouldn’t defect.
Harper: Hate to say it folks, but he was the most poised.
I expect Conservative results to be higher tomorrow.
I think a lot of people have so far only known of Ignatieff through mockery of his resume and foreign credentials. Seeing him speak intelligently and even score a few zings on Harper might just have the opposite effect.
I also wonder how Steve Paikin felt, with all of the early references to the G20 – he after all, was one of the journalists harassed and intimidated last summer in Toronto, witnessing Steven Harper’s brand of democracy in action.
The blog/chatosphere seems to think Layton performed best, Harper acceptably, Ignatieff badly. Duceppe, who cares.
I only saw half of it but I’d generally agree - not based on whose stuff I agree with more, but in terms of presentation, comfort, clarity and message delivery, I thought:
-
Layton was much improved from previous debates; he was less strident and offended than in previous debates (that still came out a little) and bested the others, especially Ignatieff. I was quite impressed. The problem facing the NDP leader is trying to explain that the NDP is a valid choice without sounding indignant about it, which usually means telling the existing Opposition leader that he’s arrogant. Layton did that much better this time than in 2008, and benefits from the fact that Ignatieff actually does seem arrogant, unlike Stephane Dion, who didn’t. Layton stayed on message without sounding canned. It was the best job of his career. His attack on Ignatieff’s attendance record was a brilliant late-round uppercut.
-
Harper was about as good as his personality and the circumstances allowed, but that doesn’t allow him the dynamism Layton can demonstrate. Given that he really has no excuse regarding the various ethical matters that arose in Parliament he did about as good a job as could be expected trying to deflect those, but it doesn’t score you any points; Harper just took punches well, he wasn’t landing many. The sitting PM is always on the defensive but in a way that might help Harper avoid his greatest weakness… the perception that he’s Mr. Angry. When he’s perpetually defending he has to stay calm, and it benefits him.
-
I thought Ignatieff struggled a bit with his delivery and stayed on talking points too long, making him sound canned. That’s strange because the talk about him on the campaign trail is how at ease he’s been. His closing remarks were really bad and he needs to work with a coach on his facial expressions. He has more ammunition to throw at Stephen Harper than Arnold Schwartzenegger could carry but I thought he kept using the same phrasing too much. Rather than repeating over and over that the Conservatives help Parliament in contempt, an abstract concept that the polls show has little traction, he should have spent more time saying **what they’d done to result in that finding **- lies, withholding documents, Bev Oda. He did mention them but not enough.
-
Gilles Duceppe’s a traitor so screw him.
I didn’t accuse anyone of being less Canadian than me; I’m sure the citizenship of my fellow Canadians living in Alberta is as valid as mine. Please don’t make things up and pretend I said them. Just because I see similarities between Albertan backwardness and the apparent (never been there, just know what I see on the news) backwardness prevalent in the southern US doesn’t mean I think other Alberta residents are less Canadian than me.
Layton did debate extremely well. His problem is that most Canadian don’t agree with the views of his party, and given that, he argued those views with vigor and enthusiasm.
While he may not have gained the NDP seats (which, if so, will be the first time since he’s been leader), he didn’t lose any either.
I saw something on the CBC (before I got cut off) about simultaneous translation into English of the next debate. That’s on the 15th?
I don’t think there was anything in the debate that will change anyone’s mind. My conservative friends are trying to convince me that Mr. Harper ‘won’, my impression is that Michael Ignatieff is by far the most intelligent leader with the best platform,… No knockout punches, no major gaffes, a couple of good one liners.
Frank - the French debate is tomorrow; in French on Radio-Canada and TVA, in English (simultaneous translation) on CBC (English).
There were a few laugh out loud moments from the debate, so I have to thank the leaders for that. I was wondering why Premier Stelmach wasn’t there to represent Alberta’s interests like Duceppe was.
I though Mr. Harper was there to represent Alberta’s interests… 
You’re a funny guy, but you know looks aren’t everything.
I don’t doubt that Ignatieff is the most intelligent guy in this race; I just think it’s moot.