The French Debate
My DemocraticSpace blog post on the French debate is here. If you want to keep track of my other posts, use this link.
Now for the fun commentary!
I actually didn't did to watch the entire debate, as my Mom really wanted to watch George Gently on BBC Canada (not a bad show, actually), so we were flipping back and forth.
I am really glad that Elizabeth May got to participate in the debate, but she's bound to get into it more tomorrow, since her skill level in French is not great compared to the other leaders.
Jack Layton seemed to do okay for the most part, he seemed very relaxed, at any rate. Whereas Stephane Dion was his usual bouncy self, and got a little riled up on occasion...which, I think worked for him, but I don't know if it reinforced his attempts to paint himself as the picture of a strong leader.
As for Harper...LOL! I just don't understand why he has such a difficult time smiling and not looking like a pretentious asshole or the creepy guy at the grocery store you want to avoid. At any rate, his strategy seemed to be to remain as calm as possible while everyone else ganged up on him.
LOVE the new format. Having them sit down at a table is much more conducive to debate and discussion, rather than just projecting outward from a podium and turning to each other when they get really fed up. It's probably also a lot less tiring for them. I remember last election, things generally seemed to get nastier between the leaders--maybe they were just tired and cranky?
Now Gilles Duceppe, from the few times I heard him speak up, he continued to say things that made sense and had me nodding along for the most part.
I really sincerely hope that if we do end up with another Harper government, that the opposition parties will be more willing to team up and work together to prevent the Conservatives from doing more damage to this country. My optimism, let me show you it.
I was kind of amused at how Dion and Duceppe displayed a bit of camaraderie between debating. Maybe it was just a moment or two, and maybe it was because they were seated next to each other... but there was a look and/or a gesture exchanged between them at one point that, to my eyes, said something to the effect of: "LOL, our French is better than theirs."
Now for the fun commentary!
I actually didn't did to watch the entire debate, as my Mom really wanted to watch George Gently on BBC Canada (not a bad show, actually), so we were flipping back and forth.
I am really glad that Elizabeth May got to participate in the debate, but she's bound to get into it more tomorrow, since her skill level in French is not great compared to the other leaders.
Jack Layton seemed to do okay for the most part, he seemed very relaxed, at any rate. Whereas Stephane Dion was his usual bouncy self, and got a little riled up on occasion...which, I think worked for him, but I don't know if it reinforced his attempts to paint himself as the picture of a strong leader.
As for Harper...LOL! I just don't understand why he has such a difficult time smiling and not looking like a pretentious asshole or the creepy guy at the grocery store you want to avoid. At any rate, his strategy seemed to be to remain as calm as possible while everyone else ganged up on him.
LOVE the new format. Having them sit down at a table is much more conducive to debate and discussion, rather than just projecting outward from a podium and turning to each other when they get really fed up. It's probably also a lot less tiring for them. I remember last election, things generally seemed to get nastier between the leaders--maybe they were just tired and cranky?
Now Gilles Duceppe, from the few times I heard him speak up, he continued to say things that made sense and had me nodding along for the most part.
I really sincerely hope that if we do end up with another Harper government, that the opposition parties will be more willing to team up and work together to prevent the Conservatives from doing more damage to this country. My optimism, let me show you it.
I was kind of amused at how Dion and Duceppe displayed a bit of camaraderie between debating. Maybe it was just a moment or two, and maybe it was because they were seated next to each other... but there was a look and/or a gesture exchanged between them at one point that, to my eyes, said something to the effect of: "LOL, our French is better than theirs."