No clear winner in passionate debate (CAN)

[TrogL]

http://www.cbc.ca/stories/2004/06/15/canada/english_debate040615

OTTAWA - Undecided voters looking for an easy winner in Tuesday night's party leaders' debate could be forgiven for going to sleep with their minds still not made up.

Paul Martin and Gilles Duceppe debate the sponsorship scandal
Liberal Leader Paul Martin pounded away about a $50-billion "black hole" he sees in the budget plans of Conservative Leader Stephen Harper, and Harper repeatedly referred to the money lost in the Liberal sponsorship scandal. Meanwhile, NDP Leader Jack Layton insisted his party was capable of forming a government, and attacked both Martin and Harper over their policies and records.

I listened to a bit of it but figured my time was better spent going door-to-door stuffing campaign leaflets in mailboxes.

[Minstrel Boy]

1. "No knock-out punches in English debate"

CTV says much the same, as much as they may like to give it to Harper.

Canadians saw a more aggressive side of the leaders in the English debate, each one desperate to win over a large group of undecided voters, and sway those who have already chosen.

With the Liberals lagging in the polls, it was essential for Prime Minister Paul Martin to appear to win the debate. But though he attempted to go after main rival Conservative Leader Stephen Harper, he was bombarded by attacks from all three leaders.

...

NDP Leader Jack Layton, who was relentless in his attacks on Martin, said "Canadians are giving up" on the Liberal Party. "They don't want to reward you with a fourth term at bat."

Martin said he accepted that criticism.

http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/mini/CTVNews/1087300334960_158?s_name=election2004&no_ads=

[ithacan]

2. my favorite line of the debate:

Duceppe's opinion on U.S. Canada relations was to simply and colourfully state: "Having a friend doesn't mean that you're kneeling in front of him."

Harper seems like a kiss-ass to Bush, really bad news for Canada and the US too...

Alliance/Conservatives seems to be trying to pull a Bush: hiding their extremist agenda under claims of moderateness. Fortunately seems highly unlikely they'd get to form a government.

[TrogL]

3. CBC had a little mini-debate between three commentators

The Conservative was priceless. Apparently Harper doesn't want an aircraft carrier, he wants a carrier that carries aircraft.

:wtf: