Les Debats
Okay, now that the debates are over, here is my initial take on it. As always, each party is going to spin it in a way that will make them look good. And never mind most studies on debates generally show that debates don't to tend change how people vote, but either re-affirm their decision was correct or maybe make them pause for a moment, but only switch if other events in the campaign give them reason to. So without delay, here is my personal take on each of the leaders'
Gilles Duceppe - Has always been a strong debater in French and I think he did a fairly good job as expected. He did challenge Harper on a number of issues and show how he was out of touch with Quebec, at the same time he didn't deliver any knockout punch. Probably won't gain him much in support, but at least help solidify what he already has and at this point, that is what he needed to do.
Stephen Harper - Not the greatest performance from him. He undoubtedly faced the most daunting challenge of all five of the leaders since they all ganged up on him. In the past he has often been accused of being over aggressive, but this time around I think he was little too passive. While I doubt it will cause his numbers to sink any Quebec any further, he needed to shore up some of the lost support, which I don't think he was able to do.
Stephane Dion - All in all a good night for him. Whether it be the economy, environment, or Afghanistan, he seemed to actually have a plan of what he would do in government not just attacking how bad a government Harper was and if anything he made clear that he was still trying to become PM, not just stop Harper from getting a majority. His only possible mistake was releasing the economic plan in the debate. Although not a bombshell like Martin dropping the plan to get rid of the notwithstanding clause during last debate, I would still say it is better to announce plans either before or after the debates. That being said, there was low expectations and he did peform well, so a good night for him. I doubt it will gain him a lot, but at least maintain the support he has and considering Liberal support is very concentrated on the island of Montreal, and some of the suburbs he really only needed to win back a few swing supporters in some of the ridings they narrowly lossed in 2006, which I think he might have done.
Jack Layton - A steady debater as usual and confident in French. Didn't say anything or do anything that would help him gain much in Quebec, but nothing to either hurt him. So I guess depending on what his goal is, it could be described as a win or loss.
Elizabeth May - Her debating skills in a language she was weak in were actually pretty good and she did a great job of taking on Harper. I guess the only thing is she might have seemed a bit too aggressive, but probably not too bad an idea. After all, if Harper struck back at her too hard, he would look a lot worse.
As for the winner, I would have to give it to Gilles Duceppe as his goal was to show how the Tories were out of touch with Quebecers and the best choice to stop a majority and he did it. And the loser I would have to give to Harper. Although not an absolute flop, it was definitely not what he needed and I wouldn't say a good night for him, although not a bad night. It will be interesting to see how he does in the English debates as he tends to do better there.
Gilles Duceppe - Has always been a strong debater in French and I think he did a fairly good job as expected. He did challenge Harper on a number of issues and show how he was out of touch with Quebec, at the same time he didn't deliver any knockout punch. Probably won't gain him much in support, but at least help solidify what he already has and at this point, that is what he needed to do.
Stephen Harper - Not the greatest performance from him. He undoubtedly faced the most daunting challenge of all five of the leaders since they all ganged up on him. In the past he has often been accused of being over aggressive, but this time around I think he was little too passive. While I doubt it will cause his numbers to sink any Quebec any further, he needed to shore up some of the lost support, which I don't think he was able to do.
Stephane Dion - All in all a good night for him. Whether it be the economy, environment, or Afghanistan, he seemed to actually have a plan of what he would do in government not just attacking how bad a government Harper was and if anything he made clear that he was still trying to become PM, not just stop Harper from getting a majority. His only possible mistake was releasing the economic plan in the debate. Although not a bombshell like Martin dropping the plan to get rid of the notwithstanding clause during last debate, I would still say it is better to announce plans either before or after the debates. That being said, there was low expectations and he did peform well, so a good night for him. I doubt it will gain him a lot, but at least maintain the support he has and considering Liberal support is very concentrated on the island of Montreal, and some of the suburbs he really only needed to win back a few swing supporters in some of the ridings they narrowly lossed in 2006, which I think he might have done.
Jack Layton - A steady debater as usual and confident in French. Didn't say anything or do anything that would help him gain much in Quebec, but nothing to either hurt him. So I guess depending on what his goal is, it could be described as a win or loss.
Elizabeth May - Her debating skills in a language she was weak in were actually pretty good and she did a great job of taking on Harper. I guess the only thing is she might have seemed a bit too aggressive, but probably not too bad an idea. After all, if Harper struck back at her too hard, he would look a lot worse.
As for the winner, I would have to give it to Gilles Duceppe as his goal was to show how the Tories were out of touch with Quebecers and the best choice to stop a majority and he did it. And the loser I would have to give to Harper. Although not an absolute flop, it was definitely not what he needed and I wouldn't say a good night for him, although not a bad night. It will be interesting to see how he does in the English debates as he tends to do better there.
posted by Monkey Loves to Fight at 7:52 PM
2 Comments:
Actually I do think the night was an absolute flop or Harper for two reasons. First, he was constantly on the defensive; while all the others were landing body blows on him he wasn't able to land a single effective counter punch. Second, and more importantly, it was a loss precisely because Duceppe was successful in portraying him as out-of-touch with Quebec. Because of this, not only do I think Harper won't gain seats in Quebec, he may not keep the ones he has.
I agree that Harper didn't counter-attack. As for gains or loss, it is tough to say, although I agree he could lose some of his seats in Quebec. This won't necessarily be the end as Mulroney didn't do well in the 1988 debates and slid after them, but managed to make a strong recovery in the final week. Although we don't have a key defining issue as in 1988 when it was free trade
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