Debate: Winners?

I'm not a giant fan of political debates, but they seem to attract plenty of attention, and this one is no exception. I consider myself a well-informed individual regarding the issues so I tend to view the debates in a different light. They are exercises in persuasion, and the press are looking for sound bites and the spinsters want to digest the rhetoric, and formulate it in their own predictable way.

Gilles Duceppe has played his card to his subjects and by all accounts has done very well. He will be unpredictable in the English debate, but will most likely attack Paul Martin for the most part. He has no other threat in his kingdom. Jack Layton will present his social agenda, and will split his attack accordingly. I'm not sure about the other two. I sense a comfort level from last night with Martin, and he may be able to draw Harper out of his rope-a-dope style. They will attempt to seize the appropriate agenda that fits to their strengths. Martin must remove items from debate by looking to the future, and Harper just the opposite. Watch for fallacious arguments and prepared retorts which is what we will all see and hear tomorrow.

After the debate

Well, Anna Marie [the debate moderator] let them play, like a good referee should in a playoff game, but seriously, who won? Gilles Duceppe did very well as expected, it's a tragedy that Canada does not enjoy the benefit and leadership of that segment of the Quebec population. Sometimes I think they are more Canadian then any of us. Jack Layton? Well, Jack just looked too happy to be a real full fledged socialist. I've known many and they rarely have much to smile about. I did not enjoy his overly obtuse debating style. Mr. Harper continued his low key approach, his rope-a dope style as predicted. There is no question he is well spoken, but I would appreciate it more if the handlers set him loose. When will they learn that Canadians love unbridled leaders? Paul Martin started slowly but actually handled himself very well, particularly in regards to fiscal issues, although he missed some opportunities for some knockout punches, although the attack of Harper and his Wall Street Journal letter was as close as we came all evening.

Surprises? No, not really. Mr. Martin gave a good performance, and actually looked the leader for the first time, Mr. Harper showed some cracks. He was well spoken but vague at times. He displayed some dents in the armour, particularly when he exposed that his handlers asked him not to go near privatization of health care. When you want to lead, you go everywhere, particularly when you have yet to have a policy convention, and I really think they erred in not cutting him loose.. I expected Mr. Layton to lead with ideas, not attack so much. Mr. Duceppe? He has certainly grown into his position, and looked as well tonight as last night.

Issues? I would have liked to have seen more discussion on trade issues and the economy, and the working poor. The format did not permit any in-depth approach of that issue. Should be a good finish.