2011 Canadian Election Thread

[Iowa_Flames_Fan]

Some "low-information intensity" notes.

Duceppe is good at TV. He stands still and looks at the camera, and speaks slowly. I sometimes can't figure out what he's talking about, and that's not his accent--but he's handling the format well.

Ignatieff is hitting the same points over and over again. It's a bit annoying when you're watching the whole thing, but it's actually very effective, because these debates get rebroadcast in 10-second snippets. He looks comfortable.

Layton is good. He needs to move around less-but he's the best dressed, and he's free to take pot shots in both directions, and clearly loves it. He needs to be careful not to overreach, or change the subject too liberally.

Harper's suit doesn't fit. How is the Prime Minister not wearing a tailored suit? I know that's not a major issue, but he's ON TELEVISION for pete's sake. Even hockey coaches wear tailored suits.

More to the point, he needs to stop squinting and sneering at his opponents--it's very unseemly.

With television debates, you can often tell who's winning by turning off the volume. I think if you did that, you'd go 1) Layton, 2) Duceppe, 3) Ignatieff, 4) the Moderator, 5) Harper.

[FiftyBelow]

I can't stand the hypotheticals that Ignatief keeps bringing up... enough with the contempt crap and get to the specific points.

[Ark2]

Originally Posted by Iowa_Flames_Fan

TBQH, the one who seems most comfortable is Duceppe, but Harper is clearly very uncomfortable.

Seriosuly? He's handling this pretty well. I'd say he's in the lead right now for sure.

[MarchHare]

Originally Posted by J pold

Give Ignatieff credit for actually staying on point with the issue.

From what I've seen so far (I missed the first ten minutes as I was walking home from work), Ignatieff is the only one who seems to be addressing the original question and speaking to the person who asked it.

Harper just tries to turn everything into a conversation about the economy (which to be fair is a good strategy for him, since that's his perceived strength).

[Parallex]

Originally Posted by Bertuzzied

Why do we have an appointed Senate?

Because the BNA Act declared it so and the Constitution Act did not remove it.

As for it's purpose... beats me. In theory it's to provide regional rep but really given how decentralized canada already is that's kind of moot.

[CaptainCrunch]

Originally Posted by Iowa_Flames_Fan

Some "low-information intensity" notes.

Duceppe is good at TV. He stands still and looks at the camera, and speaks slowly. I sometimes can't figure out what he's talking about, and that's not his accent--but he's handling the format well.

Ignatieff is hitting the same points over and over again. It's a bit annoying when you're watching the whole thing, but it's actually very effective, because these debates get rebroadcast in 10-second snippets. He looks comfortable.

Layton is good. He needs to move around less-but he's the best dressed, and he's free to take pot shots in both directions, and clearly loves it. He needs to be careful not to overreach, or change the subject too liberally.

Harper's suit doesn't fit. How is the Prime Minister not wearing a tailored suit? I know that's not a major issue, but he's ON TELEVISION for pete's sake. Even hockey coaches wear tailored suits.

More to the point, he needs to stop squinting and sneering at his opponents--it's very unseemly.

With television debates, you can often tell who's winning by turning off the volume. I think if you did that, you'd go 1) Layton, 2) Duceppe, 3) Ignatieff, 4) the Moderator, 5) Harper.

But when you turn on the volume, I'd have it Duceppe (Even though I'm not blow away with a bunch of his stuff) a tie between Ignatieff and Harper and Layton in last.

[Iowa_Flames_Fan]

Ignatieff needs to be a lot tighter on his "Harper didn't tell the truth" spiel. How is he not better rehearsed on what is clearly a talking point?

[Iowa_Flames_Fan]

Ignatieff hammering Harper now. He should do more of this--it makes Harper squint and glower.

[J pold]

OK we get it Ignatieff you think Harper loves control, so does everyone else, move on.

I feel like he has 4 points and just keeps repeating them over and over.

[MrMastodonFarm]

Originally Posted by J pold

OK we get it Ignatieff you think Harper loves control, so does everyone else, move on.

Ignatieff was doing a great job just then IMO.

[Parallex]

Originally Posted by J pold

OK we get it Ignatieff you think Harper loves control, so does everyone else, move on.

Repetition Works. He needs to drill an idea into the minds of viewer he needs people to remember after the debate and if he spreads himself to thin no one idea sticks.

[peter12]

Yeah, re. Harper's jacket, those shoulders are sticking out like wings.

[Iowa_Flames_Fan]

I disagree; Ignatieff destroyed Harper in that sequence.

However, he shouldn't have said "nonsense!" just now. Very unseemly.

[Iowa_Flames_Fan]

"This isn't bickering; this is democracy." That's a good line.

[MarchHare]

Originally Posted by J pold

OK we get it Ignatieff you think Harper loves control, so does everyone else, move on.

I feel like he has 4 points and just keeps repeating them over and over.

Well, that's kind of what all the leaders are doing.

Ignetieff is blasting Harper about his control-freak nature.
Harper keeps returning to the economy regardless of the question/subject.
Layton bangs the drum against corporate tax cuts.
Duceppe...I don't really care since he's irrelevant to me.

[J pold]

Originally Posted by MrMastodonFarm

Ignatieff was doing a great job just then IMO.

Yeah agreed. That entire one on one was just poor on both sides.

[peter12]

Originally Posted by Iowa_Flames_Fan

I disagree; Ignatieff destroyed Harper in that sequence.

However, he shouldn't have said "nonsense!" just now. Very unseemly.

Well, partisanship aside, you're wrong. It's the PM's job to make this whole fiasco look like nonsense. That's why he keeps bringing up stability, the economy, Parliamentary discord.

Also, Duceppe is always awesome.

[CaptainCrunch]

Originally Posted by Iowa_Flames_Fan

I disagree; Ignatieff destroyed Harper in that sequence.

However, he shouldn't have said "nonsense!" just now. Very unseemly.

I think he did a decent job, he didn't get the one on one knockout that he needed. I think Harper did a decent enough job of deflecting back to the economy. I think Harper didn't lose his composure which was good, I also think he did well on the documents question.

[burn_this_city]

Originally Posted by Iowa_Flames_Fan

"This isn't bickering; this is democracy." That's a good line.

People get sick of the squabbling after a while. Haper is smart to stick to what people care about, jobs and the economy.

[Iowa_Flames_Fan]

Originally Posted by peter12

Yeah, re. Harper's jacket, those shoulders are sticking out like wings.

Seriously: how does the Prime Minister of Canada not have a tailor?