Here are my thoughts on last night’s Leaders’ Debate — actually, more on the leaders themselves…
Stephen Harper was calm, cool and collected. But a convulsion went through me every time he tried to pass off his evil smirk as a geniune smile.
Paul Martin looked old, tired and beat up. History may prove me wrong, but I think he’s done.
This is the first time I’ve seen Jack Layton speak at length. The guy had some decent points to make, if he could only shut his mouth once he was finished. And the dude’s got the smallest hands I’ve ever seen!
Most surprising for me was Bloc-Quebecois leader Gilles Duceppe. Despite a noticeable language barrier he came across as the evening’s most eloquent speaker, I thought. Too bad he wants to break up the country.
Oh, and one more thing: Can someone please explain to me why the fuck David Vienneau is on television? This man-munchkin hybrid makes me cringe every time he stumbles through one of his reports from Ottawa on Global National. Who exactly did he blow to get on panel for this debate?
Andrew Currie 
2 responses to “Debate Post-Mortem”
AC:
There used to be another guy on Global that covered the political beat for them, Robert something, but they got rid of him because he wasn’t exciting enough. But he knew his stuff and would have been much better than The Head That Talks Like A Man.
I don’t find Harper’s smile evil, but he does remind me of several insurance salesmen I’ve had to talk to. Layton is his own worst enemy –reading his opening speech from a 3-ring binder in front of him (note: memorize the biggest speech of your campaign, Jack –everyone else did, including Duceppe whose first language isn’t English). I agree that Martin looks tired, but he’s still probably the best choice of leader, ignoring policy, scandal, party, etc.
I’ve decided to not watch debates any more because they end up being pissing matches with people yelling. I’d rather see the leaders compete in a Fear Factor episode to prove their worthiness of leading our nation using television. Say, have my views of politics been shaped by the whoring gods of television? Yeesh!
Ed
I believe it was Robert Fisher you’re recalling from the supposed halcyon days of Canwest. He’s a news reader for CBC radio now and a sometime contributor to the now defunct TVO “Fourth Reading” magazine show.
-ross mckie