strategy for tonight?

[Smallc]

Harper certainly came across as the most credible candidate for office, but Layton's zingers were awesome. His line about Ignatieff not showing up for work then expecting a promotion was the closest thing to a knock-out punch there was.

I'll agree with that. I just didn't see Layton's points all that much.

[punked]

Iggy did absolutely terrible. He didn't speak to me or anyone else. Layton was, IMO, off his game.

I agree Layton is better in a discussion format playing off what people say. That said he was miles ahead of Iggy the monster.

[TheRightWing]

Harper certainly came across as the most credible candidate for office, but Layton's zingers were awesome. His line about Ignatieff not showing up for work then expecting a promotion was the closest thing to a knock-out punch there was.

Yeah i have to say i did like that.

Layton to me is kind of like an old bulldog.

I do not like Iggy so i appreciated the punch

[Smallc]

I agree Layton is better in a discussion format playing off what people say. That said he was miles ahead of Iggy the monster.

Most definitely. I just think he's been better, that's all.

[blueblood]

Iggy: " oh jack, you have no chance at forming government" (in an angry tone)

Layton: (laughingly) "oh there's that liberal arrogance again!"

Harper: grinning like he "got lucky"

:lol:

[punked]

Most definitely. I just think he's been better, that's all.

No I agree but the format is not the one he shines in. He isn't one to pontificate his points he says them in plan language with facts to back them up in 30 seconds then he had really nothing to fill the other 30 seconds. Last year it was more of a discussion so he was able to give the floor up after his point then counter point when someone responded. This is just how he debates.

[Smallc]

Iggy: " oh jack, you have no chance at forming government" (in an angry tone)

Layton: (laughingly) "oh there's that liberal arrogance again!"

Harper: grinning like he "got lucky"

:lol:

Now that's the Layton I know.

[punked]

Well we are on to the second half the debate now the spin. Who will the media declare the winner tomorrow for no reason what so ever?

[capricorn]

Iggy: " oh jack, you have no chance at forming government" (in an angry tone)

Layton: (laughingly) "oh there's that liberal arrogance again!"

Harper: grinning like he "got lucky"

:lol:

Precious.

[Moonlight Graham]

Iggy did absolutely terrible. He didn't speak to me or anyone else. Layton was, IMO, off his game.

I thought Iggy did very well actually, the best of them all. I thought he got in a lot of good digs & always had Harper on his toes. Ya he was yelling a lot but it didn't bother me. I thought he did particularly well on the democracy digs. But i must admit he really didn't really sell me on much, he was on the attack all night rather than selling me his vision.

Harper did a pretty good job defending himself against the obligatory attacks by all comers. Could have done better though, he rarely went on the offensive, he should have turned things around on people more rather than constantly responding to attacks. He also looked like a total GOOFBALL while listening to one the other guys blast him. Deer in headlights.

Layton was meh. Must be pale from the cancer or something because the man has makeup over his entire face/head, even over his scalp.

Duceppe was hit and miss, might be the language thing.

VERDICT: Harper defended himself well enough for this debate not to be much of a game-changer.

Edited April 13, 2011 by Moonlight Graham

[Smallc]

I didn't like the part where Harper talked about the previous Liberal government raising taxes, since that isn't actually true.

[capricorn]

Ya he was yelling a lot but it didn't bother me.

Yelling turns women off and the Liberals need the women's vote. IMO he blew it on that count.

I thought he did particularly well on the democracy digs. But i must admit he really didn't really sell me on much, he was on the attack all night rather than selling me his vision.

Agreed moonlight.

He also looked like a total GOOFBALL while listening to one the other guys blast him. Deer in headlights.

That might get him a couple of sympathy votes, especially from someone who's been bullied.

Layton was meh.

By landing on Ignatieff, he helped Harper quite a bit.

[blueblood]

Boy iggy hauled ass out of the scrum when the quebec reporter asked about his attendance record.

[Shakeyhands]

Iggy: " oh jack, you have no chance at forming government" (in an angry tone)

Layton: (laughingly) "oh there's that liberal arrogance again!"

Harper: grinning like he "got lucky"

:lol:

I thought the criminals in the senate line was better.

[BC_chick]

Assuming they all deliver on their promises (I know, but for argument's sake let's pretend)...

Harper's platform doesn't do anything for me. Iggy and Jack make sense and Gilles has no business being in the English debates. His contempt for Canada irks me to no end.

As for their body-language - Iggy just can't turn off the professor, Jack is awesome, and Harper's untimely and practiced grin is ridiculous. As for Gilles, did I mention he should have stayed home?

[punked]

I liked the one about how Iggy expects a promotion after missing over half his work days.

[Shady]

I'm still considering voting Liberal, but Ignatieff sure isn't helping.

-k

Just wait until he goes into angry old man mode. It's in the second half of the debate.

Edited April 13, 2011 by Shady

[Shady]

I liked the one about how Iggy expects a promotion after missing over half his work days.

Yep. He didn't really have a response to that one. You could tell he wasn't prepared for it.

[kimmy]

Just wait until he goes into angry old man mode. It's in the second half of the debate.

I only saw the last 30 minutes, and I didn't think to tape it because I didn't think the national media would be so galactically stupid as to schedule the debate to be mostly over before I even got home from work.

-k

[punked]

I only saw the last 30 minutes, and I didn't think to tape it because I didn't think the national media would be so galactically stupid as to schedule the debate to be mostly over before I even got home from work.

-k

You can stream it cpac online.

[cybercoma]

Stephen Harper did an excellent job remaining calm and addressing the Canadian public. I feel this exact same thing may be his weakness as well. He appeared stiff and robotic in the way he was addressing the camera, but I doubt people will really be that focused. They'll just feel comfortable with him addressing the camera, looking at them if you will and remaining calm and collected. That he was evasive and lied about things will largely go overlooked because most Canadians do not pay as much attention to politics and scandals as we do.

Jack Layton came off as the antagonist. He got in some great barbs, but seemed uncomfortable. In all honesty, I felt he was floundering and scrambling to get his buzzphrases in.

Michael Ignatieff was skillful in his debating skills, walking Harper right into his points and beating him down, especially in the one-on-one portion. However, this isn't a debate about intellectual prowess. Elections are a popularity contest first and foremost. A good portion of the population will probably appreciate the skill Ignatieff showed in the debate; however, he was not as personal as Harper and did not focus on addressing Canadians.

Gilles Duceppe, surprisingly can be summed up in the words of Rick Mercer on Twitter earlier: "Sadly Duceppe proves once again he's the only guy who understands our political system."

[BC_chick]

I only saw the last 30 minutes, and I didn't think to tape it because I didn't think the national media would be so galactically stupid as to schedule the debate to be mostly over before I even got home from work.

-k

It'll be on again at 8:00, same channel. I looked because I missed most of the beginning too.

[kimmy]

It'll be on again at 8:00, same channel. I looked because I missed most of the beginning too.

Are you sure? My listings say I have "Glee" at 8:00.

-k

{If the leaders debate was "Glee", who'd be Britanny and who'd be Santana?}

[Tilter]

I think Layton HAS credibility. At least with those who are at all likely to vote for him. What he needs to do is damage Ignatieff's credibility.

And yes, Harper has to bring up their economic record, including the report today from the Bank of Canada, Harp on (no pun intended) their economic stewardship. But I think he would really screw up Ignatieff's game plan if he came on as regretful about the way the last parliament deteriorated. I'm not saying he should take all the blame, and doesn't deserve to. But he choosing his words "let ourselves be provoked" etc. would do wonders in grabbing undecideds.

I don't know who grabbed what--- Larper was steadfast on the economy and I thot came thru well but then I vote for him so I'd see him in the best light--- Layton want to spend & tax the corps while lowering taxes for the middle class, exempt the lower earners and generally create the Garden of eden in Canada--- printing presses would be busy as would the wheel barrow manufacturers-- producing the things that would carry the 100,000 Bux to the market to get milk & bread.

Iggy kept insisting that parliament had lost faith in the government & so defeated him because of lack of confidence--- polls will show that Harper won tonite. Oh I didn't mention Duceppe, and I won't

[Tilter]

Are you sure? My listings say I have "Glee" at 8:00.

-k

{If the leaders debate was "Glee", who'd be Britanny and who'd be Santana?}

The polls will be gleeful at any rate