English Language debates:

[flamingchina]

Originally Posted by Dominicwasalreadytaken

Any reason Harper keeps getting cut off? I started watching a little late, I'm not sure if there are any rules he's breaking. He doesn't seem to be going any longer than the others. Martin even directly asked Harper a couple of questions, and as soon as he was going to answer them he got cut off. That seems a little odd to me.

They had 1 minute for first, 30 seconds for rebuttal, and 15 seconds for 2nd rebuttel.
It seemed to me martin got the longest, but I didn't have a stopwatch.

[Shawnski]

Lot 'o work there flamingchina... good job.

If last nights "after hours" on CPAC was any indication, this is where the fireworks can be watched now...

http://www.cpac.ca/asx/cpac2e.asx

edit.. flamingchina must be tired.... edited for clarity....

[flamingchina]

Originally Posted by Shawnski

Lot 'o work there flamingchina... good job.

If last nights "after hours" on CPAC was any indication, this is where the fireworks can be watched now...

http://www.cpac.ca/asx/cpac2e.asx

No problem, glad to do it.

Is this an audio stream or a video?

[flamingchina]

Winner:
Con: 11
NDP:8
Bloq: 5
Lib: 0

Personally I think martin did pretty bad in this debate. didn't answer the Q's well, went off on tangents (Duceppe had the same problem)

[Shawnski]

As for Harper getting cut off, yes, he ran out of time by a bit on occasion. Layton though... man oh man, he just never shut up!!!

Dusceppe didn't do as well as in the French debates, however, he is still a master of pulling out stats to back his statements (yes, I know, stats don't mean everything... God knows CP'ers will argue that one.)

Martin absolutely blew it a couple times. The question by the unemployed (for 20 years) handicapped lady about how the Liberal income tax cut went right over his head. It was as if all he heard was "justify your tax cut to me", and heard nothing about how she didn't, and couldn't work.

If I heard Layton say one more time "invest", I think I was going to punch my PC. If we put in a nickle for everytime he said it (let alone the actual cost of it) we would have to sell BC to pay for it.

[flamingchina]

Can anyone tll me what this pacific gateway thing is?

[Shawnski]

Overall, I like the questions being posed by Canadians versus those that might come from media alone. On the "debate" side, the lack of actual debate has to be addressed.

I think that each should have an extra microphone, on a separate timer, say a total of 5 minutes of "interjection" time for the whole debate, whereby if one of them wanted to step in a say "BS" they could. Just a thought... have to think it through yet.

[Footscray]

Originally Posted by flamingchina

Winner:
Con: 11
NDP:8
Bloq: 5
Lib: 0

Personally I think martin did pretty bad in this debate. didn't answer the Q's well, went off on tangents (Duceppe had the same problem)

I think its a very personal judgement and wouldn't agree with you at all. I felt Duceppe was by far the poorest adding very little relevant information and seeming disinterested.

Harper stumbled in mainstream Canada by admitting he would reopen the gay marriage debate, this is just not a popular view in the majority, like it or lump it. I also thought his "smile" was very fake looking and forced for the entirety.

I felt that Martin was under siege from the other parties pretty much from minute one and did poorly in that he transmitted no message other than defending himself at times.

Layton was by and large positive and has improved his public speaking in leaps and bounds. Personally I thought that he was the best but this is just personal opinion of course.

[CaptainCrunch]

I thought Harper did a pretty good job tonight, his answers were reasonable, he still comes across as a little bit cold, but he's improved over the last election

Layton to me was a bit of a cluster####, the way that he ended each statement by begging for a vote, and the fact that his speaking style was annoying, and he came across as a bit too much of a big government proponent hurt him.

Ducceppe (sp?) - I have a lot of respect for him as a orator and a politician, he came across as the most ernest and prepared, he actually backed up his claims with facts and numbers, he also has nothing to lose by alienating the out of Quebec voter.

Martin - Terrible performance, he came across as smug, didn't really have much to say except for the old Conservative is evil stuff. I thought he wasn't well thought out, and his rant at the Bloc and and Quebec Seperation came across as tempid, he also got killed on the question of keeping promises, and western alienation.

It will be interesting to see the polls.

[Shawnski]

Damn I am getting tired of the "universal health care" crap.

Yeah, that health care card certainly helped when I had to get an emergency triple root canal. Dental, medication, physio and a host of other "health" costs are not covered.

And in all the cases where I have to pay for it out of my pocket, it happens, and happens right away. But when I needed my knee worked on.... months and months just to get INTO see a doc that could do it, then more months before it was done.... Nice.

[FireFly]

Man I wish I could've watched this! Anyone know when the next debate is? I have to make sure I have the evening off from work.

[JiriHrdina]

^^^Its on again in 30 minutes on Newsworld (channel 15 in calgary)

[flamingchina]

Originally Posted by Footscray

I think its a very personal judgement and wouldn't agree with you at all. I felt Duceppe was by far the poorest adding very little relevant information and seeming disinterested.

Harper stumbled in mainstream Canada by admitting he would reopen the gay marriage debate, this is just not a popular view in the majority, like it or lump it. I also thought his "smile" was very fake looking and forced for the entirety.

I felt that Martin was under siege from the other parties pretty much from minute one and did poorly in that he transmitted no message other than defending himself at times.

Layton was by and large positive and has improved his public speaking in leaps and bounds. Personally I thought that he was the best but this is just personal opinion of course.

Obviously each persons political viewpoint will affect that..
the biggest problem for duceppe is obviously this debate means little to him really, and the bloq isn't a national party.
the gay marriage thing is obviously a divisive thing. (I'm sorry, but it's not an overwhelming majority wanting it. I personsonally support it, but lots don't)
Laytons biggest problem is the repetion (broadbent, corp tax cut, vote me)

[flamingchina]

Originally Posted by FireFly

Man I wish I could've watched this! Anyone know when the next debate is? I have to make sure I have the evening off from work.

It'll also stream from CBC.


Man this CPAC thing is funny... talk about partitionship...
The usual martin is useless vs. Harper is Evil...

[Footscray]

Originally Posted by flamingchina

Obviously each persons political viewpoint will affect that..
the biggest problem for duceppe is obviously this debate means little to him really, and the bloq isn't a national party.
the gay marriage thing is obviously a divisive thing. (I'm sorry, but it's not an overwhelming majority wanting it. I personsonally support it, but lots don't)
Laytons biggest problem is the repetion (broadbent, corp tax cut, vote me)

I am actually not a loyal supporter of any of the parties, I tend to vote differently every election based on the issues but you are definately right, preconceptions about the leaders are hugely influential.

Gay marriage is huge, it is almost universally rejected in provinces that are not battlegrounds like Alberta. In ontario, quebec and BC, the three battlegrounds it is huge (though given the conservatives are a non entity in quebec).

[FlamesAddiction]

Harper didn't impress me at all really. I'm trying hard to see what others see in him, but his answers always sound too simple. Same thing with Martin, although I will admit, Harper presents himself better.

Personally, I thought Jack Layton furthered his party more than the others. He didn't win my vote, but I'll be watching him more now.

[Shawnski]

I think Harper had several great opportunities and either didn't hit the target, or added some "negative words" that any salesman knows not to do... like "I don't think...", "There isn't an answer to that" or "Tough question when you are on the clock".

Otherwise, he handled himself well, and was pretty descent overall.

And FA, Layton still responds like he is selling snake oil. "Big Government" is his war-cry, as is the Liberals. The CPC (and definitely the Bloc) are definitely for smaller federal government, and more power to the provinces. With a Old Socialist Party.. err, sorry, New Democratic Party or a Liberal party, Canadian unity will be in jeopardy.

[FlamesAddiction]

Originally Posted by Shawnski

I think Harper had several great opportunities and either didn't hit the target, or added some "negative words" that any salesman knows not to do... like "I don't think...", "There isn't an answer to that" or "Tough question when you are on the clock".

Otherwise, he handled himself well, and was pretty descent overall.

And FA, Layton still responds like he is selling snake oil. "Big Government" is his war-cry, as is the Liberals. The CPC (and definitely the Bloc) are definitely for smaller federal government, and more power to the provinces. With a Old Socialist Party.. err, sorry, New Democratic Party or a Liberal party, Canadian unity will be in jeopardy.

I agree with you on Harper. I thought that in general, he presented himself well like he usually does, but he didn't hit any home runs. He seemed to play it rather safe and didn't give a lot of details. He is the best speaker of the 3 federalist parties though.

Jack Layton does come off a bit corny. he needs one of those styrofoam hats, a pin striped jacket, and a cane. I don't care too much about presentation though. It's important, but not as important as what is actually said. The thing I do like about him, is that he lays it on the line. He is the least vague of the 3. There is still a lot of mystery about what Harper or Martin will do on certain issues, but at least with Layton, things seem more clear... to me anyway. I don't agree with it all, but at least he's open.

Harper didn't lose or gain any ground IMO. Which is good for me, because he has gained some ground for my vote lately - although I'm still not sold.

Martin lost a little ground IMO, but not nearly as bad as Flamingchina is making it out to be. I thought Martin made some good points on the civility and childcare issues.

Deceppe... who cares really. I didn't even pay attention to him.

Layton gained some ground, but IMO he only had one direction to go.

[Dan]

I hate these debates
We need some real politicians back in this country, some of those slick guys who lie right to your face and you love them for it
Because these ****s are gonna do what they're gonna do, but at least have some charisma, be likeable for God's sake, win over the sheep like me
I'm voting Green anyway

[CaptainCrunch]

I really want to see one debate with the old stlye format so we can actually see some sparring, and maybe a knockout punch or two, but I doubt we'll ever see the Liberal's agreeing to this because Martin would take a three way beatdown.

But I'd really like to see a knock em out drag em down nasty mean debate.