i can not understand why harpers people would agree to this type of format. it just let all four attack one, there is no way to win this type of debate being the previous prime minister.ps you will notice how jack his angling for oppisition and not for the pms job.

My take on the Debate lets go around the table
I think Harper did well, he got more air time, do to the fact he was attacked and had a chance to address some misleading comments.
The Green parties leader .....What is her name MAYbe it will come to me...nope
Dion gets the sympathy vote, because he looked like he was going to cry every time he talked. I focused on his look since I could not understand him. What did he call Harper? Was it an attack on his manhood????
Then there is Jack. Someone should tell Jack that just because you say it over and over and over again doesn't make it true or a bad think or what ever his point is. Harper gave a good responce short quick "Jack it was part of a larger package..."Done
Duceppe looked tired and not on his game. He did make a good point when he admitted he would not be Prime Minister and neather would three other people around the table.

I think it was good for the public to see the attacks on Harper. May have even been strategically planned that way by his camp. Because for me as a voter, I wouldn't vote for May, Layton, Dion or Duceppe (if I lived in seperatist Quebec) based on their kindergarten school yard bullying and gang attacking of him last night. Conservatives get my vote based on the childish and bullying antics of all the other parties. Going to pre-vote after work today (Friday).

Although I agree with Gormley that the setup of the Canadian debate is a farce, I do not think that Layton, Duceppe and May should have been left out just because they don't have a shot at the top position.

Because Canada has a majoritarian, first-past-the-post electoral system we naturally end up with only 2.5 effective parties in parliament as a result of "strategic" voting. Until the government realizes that proportional representation is the only way to accomodate the myriad diverse views that people hold throughout this country, every party should get their say in these debates.

P.S. and as for Gormley believing the greens are only a one-issue party (as he revealed dimwittedly in today's Saskatoon Star Phoenix newspaper), try actually reading a party's platform besides the conservatives' and liberals' for once Johnny.

Ben

John:
"we were subjected to two hours of questioning motives, name calling, nasty shots and the kind of interrupting and behaviour that any debater in middle school knows won't get you past the judges."

But John, isn't that what you do for a living?

I have to disagree. In the VP debates, Biden usually responded with and answer that was well supported by facts. Unfortunately, the responses were only slightly related to the questions and the fact, wrong. Palin was more on-topic but her speaking was erratic and way less substantiated. Some say this will work to her advantage because this is, in fact, how h=normal people talk. We'll see.

In Canada all the candidates spoke in terms of facts and were on topic or close to it.

I am used to thinking of Canadian politics as amateur hour, but not last night.

Harper says the economy is fine, but then says the economy is in danger so don't vote for Dion. Wow! Just stop and think about it.

It as if you are driving a car dangerously close to a cliff and you let go of the steering wheel and ask if anyone else wants to drive, then you tell people that you should drive because it's not worth the risk to switch drivers (even if there are better drivers in the car).

Harper has already let go of the helm (no one is driving the car right now!). It would be better for a more competent leader who actually has a plan (the conservatives are the only party who have not published their platform) to put our country back on the right track.

Too bad Belinda Stronach hadn't become the leader of the conservatives, maybe she could have fixed things (it's no wonder she left), and Harper is not fit to lead.

I watched both the French and English Debates... and body language told the whole story.
Layton was articulate, looked into the camera but had very little substance.
Duceppe was more vocal during the French debate and a lot more relaxed during the English debate. His finger was in action both nights.
May presented herself well both evenings, was very knowledgeable but a little aggressive towards Harper.
Dion was very polite, looked at the camera, address the person posing the questions by name and did his best to answer the question. He struggled a lot with his English.
Harper was a no show at the French debate, sat looking at the table for most of the debate, during the English debate he struggled to keep his temper under control especially when May was speaking. He did not answer any question on his plan or Quebec’s supposed seat at the UN. As for the carbon tax he knows within 3 months after the election he will impose one just with no tax relief for the common citizen of the country. Just like the income trust … Oh well… I guess we get the government we vote for.

Mr. Gormley

There was only one person in this debate who will become the Prime Minister:Mr. Harper...which is why Dion mattered so little. Whenever I turned away while he spoke, I got lost in much of Dion's english although I did find him a respectful debater. Harper kept his cool and answered the public's questions sincerely and honestly.

Mr. Gormley, of course the two debates are different. The USA and Canada are different nations with different societal norms and political systems. Palin and Biden met for the first time last night but Harper and the gang go WAY back! So of course there were differences....besides, what is wrong with our debates getting a little out of control? There was mud-slinging (normal in politics anywhere) which doesn't bother me in the least (or the leaders); I enjoy the fact that I like how Jack Layton speaks and delivers and slings but that I totally disagree with him to the core of everything he believes in.

That's democracy to me.

"Who won? Who cares?"

Are you a Canadian, sir? I care. I think more than just me cares about the results of these debates, something we don't see often. You must belong to the group of folks that gets tired of governments calling elections. I guess you would prefer no elections at all...maybe just one ruling party...period?
You may speak for some Saskatchewan folks, but you certainly are off base with me. You have to live with the situation. It's too bad you are apathetic to your own political reality, likening a table to a toilet seat. I agree the format was not that great, but there was substance to what the Prime Minister said and clearly there was a debate taking place, although it was lop-sided against the Prime Minister.

May acted nasty because she knows if she doesn't provide any bark, it'll make Harper look better and cause her career to fade quicker than it already is.

You are correct about Dion's failed attempt to make a "big" debate annoucement by announcing his shaky plan to review the economy within 30 days if elected. It's total BS and I am so happy he will never get the chance to enact his looney idea.

All around, a good read.