Debate — Round 1
Posted on June 14, 2004
Filed Under General |
The first debate of this election took place this evening, this round in french. Round 2 tomorrow is in english.
The party leaders responces to the “tough” questions were well scripted and rehersed, but helped to expose the holes in some of the party policies, and recall some of the leaders positions (or lack there of) on important issues that haven’t hit the headlines of the media to date.
Here is a recap:
Paul Martin (Liberals):
Marting took shots about the cut to transfer payments during the 1990’s, and rebutted that he balanced the Conservative deficits and in his 5 months as PM increase spending on health and other social programs that have suffered due to the cuts. Martin had little to say when peppered about the sponsorship scandal. He took long strides to highlight the changes he made to the status quo of many goverment programs and policies since taking office in December, such as health care spending, support for municipalities, and full/equal rights for all Canadians. So, although Martin was the target of all the other leaders offencives, he made a strong effort to attack the others, instead of being defensive the entire debate. Martin should make sure that his top button on his suit is done up tomorrow, it made him look a little more foolish than his competitors.
Steven Harper (New Conservatives):
The weakest of the bunch at the debate language, Harper stayed on fringes for the most part. He began his responces with hum and head nod, then made pie in the sky remarks or attacks at Martin and the Liberals. All of the policy questions from the other leaders were sidesteped and redirected to Liberal criticisms. Harper failed to justify how he would pay for his platform’s spending promises (that is much larger than the other parties). The end result of the discussion with the leaders is that Harper has many views that are no where near the others, and begs the question, are his views in line with most Canadians.
Jack Layton (NDP):
For Layton, much like Harper, this debate was just a warm up for the english debate tomorrow. He stated, and restated his party’s policy headlines: environment; social spending — child welfare, homelessness, health; and being Green, oh and the environment. He must have said green 10 times in the 2 hour debate. This is because of a fear of losing votes to the Green Party.
Gilles Duceppe (Bloc Quebecois):
This was showtime for Duceppe, the french language debate is targeted primarily to Quebecers, and he did not disappoint. Duceppe clearly stated the views of his party on the major issues, except any mention about sovereignty. The party falls in the centre, much like the Liberals, but with a fighting spirit that makes them a good party to have in opposition. Harper attacked the Bloc saying they are not an alternative to the Liberal because it cannot ever have enough seats to form a government. Duceppe responce exposed Harper’s arrogance to his lead in the polls by stating that a true democracy is not having one party with a majority, but having a strong voice to challenge the issues and to have an alternative. I don’t see a Conservative/Bloc union working if the Conservatives take a minorty government. The only thing they agreed on was how bad the Liberals were.
Jim Harris (Green):
Not invited to the debate. But the CBC had a good piece about the party, which hopes to win a seat or two and more than 5% of the vote. The Green Party has a lot to offer many Canadians, regardless if you are on the Right, the Left, or Centre. They are socially progressive (read Liberal), but fiscally conservative (read Conservative), and the environment and sustainability is its primary concern (read NDP). This time around the Greens will split some votes and get good exposure for the next election, that may be sooner than later if there is a minority goverment.
The last word…
I was interesting to the true character of the leaders at the end of the debate when the cameras pulled back and the credits were rolling. Martin walked over to each of the leader to shake their hands, then went to the moderator and panel to do the same. He was then followed by Duceppe and Layton, but Harper made a beeline off stage.
But go vote
A side from the Conservatives, I see good things in the ideas of the other parties, but not enough yet to choose. But this is my view, it is up to you to research our self, at the many news agencies linked on the right, or at the Politics Watch portal. Politics Watch has a clever Prime Minister Picker where you answer a survey on the many election issues and it responds with a ranking of how your views match with the leaders of the 4 major parties. So take the survey, see where you line up and learn more from there.
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