Well, as a political junkie, I feel compelled to break my self-imposed silence on this election.  Last night the debates were interesting, well-moderated and everyone had a chance to get their point across.  Here are my thoughts on each leader, in order of current poll standings (Green before Bloc because they’re national). 

Stephen Harper

He did a great job last night defending the Conservative record.  The other candidates gave him the most face-time, because they were all on the offensive against him.  The result was that I think he came off as calm, cool, collected and composed.  Other than the shot he took at Layton for use “private” health care and his ambiguity on whether we would be in Iraq if he were Prime Minister at the time of the decision, he did exceptionally well.  He looked the part of a confident Prime Minister who is ready to be a steady hand in uncertain times.  I think it’s what Canadians were looking for and what will ultimately put them over the top.  I really believe this is the true Stephen Harper.  Those that know him portray him and talk about him in this way.  For too long, he’s been stiff and made up, but as he’s grown more comfortable with himself being in the public spotlight, the more relaxed he’s become.  As far as policy goes, he would do well to introduce the party platform, or a policy statement.  His record is good, and even if the platform is to stick to the same things they’ve been doing (which they will), it needs to be formalized.

 

Stephane Dion

He is in stark contrast to Harper.  I didn’t get to watch the French debate (my lack of comprehension of the French language played a major factor), but I heard he did really well.  Good for him – he needed that in Quebec to have any hope.  As for last night, is it just me, or are Liberals the only people who thought he did well?  While he accuses Harper of being out of touch with Canadians on the issues, I believe he is out of touch when it comes to how to deal with the issues.  For example, on the environment, his current “Green Shift” plan is the right idea for the wrong time.  It has potential merit, but in this uncertain time, the last thing we need is a carbon tax the way he is proposing it.  While there may be “tax” breaks for Canadians, the cost of goods will increase beyond what they expect.  This needs to be phased in somehow if we are to go in that direction.

 

Jack Layton

The media thought he was working too hard to try for the one-liner.  Personally, I don’t think he was.  While I think the lines he gave were prepared in advance, I think he’s the one who created with them and decided to use them at an opportune time.  They fit his personality and wit and came off naturally.  He had the best lines of the night and, I personally believe, won the debate.  I do think this potentially positions him to be leader of the opposition.  On policy, I think they are closer on the environment.  The provinces tend to favour his proposal of a cap-and-trade system.

 

Elizabeth May

Its funny because, while they differ on policy, there are a lot of similarities between Sarah Palin and Elizabeth May.  I saw a reference to Palin today, that she is a little “folksy,” and that suits her.  It’s also applicable to May.  She did well.  She’s not the refined politician that the others are – and that’s a good thing.  That is where the similarities end.  She seems to be pretty well-versed on various policies and was able to portray that last night.  She shows she has more to offer than just environmental policy.  She is on the right track when she says that it is not economy vs. environment.  Focusing on the environment will undergird, rather than undermine the economy.  The “main” political parties will do well to listen to her.

 

Gilles Duceppe

I think I’d like to get to know this man.  He seems like he would be quite the entertainer.  He provided some good laughs last night and did well to pin Harper regarding the war in Iraq – a bigger issue in Quebec than anywhere else in the country.  This may serve him well when it comes to ballot time, but sovereignty is not really on the map right now, so other than being entertaining and having a couple good points, he was really a non-factor.

 

On Sunday, the parties, then, early next week, candidates in districts I have a personal interest in (Either I live in them, or my immediate family does).  I have a bit of research to do, but it will be fun.  Here are the first three:

 

Newmarket-Aurora

St. Catharines

Nepean-Carleton