Let me start off by saying that I don’t care what anyone’s political views are. That’s not what this post is about.
This evening on CBC was the much talked about, seemingly annual, political debate. The Conservatives, Liberals, NDP, and Quebecois parties were represented. As ruled by the courts, the Green party was not allowed to participate – I don’t want to get side-tracked by the reasoning behind that.
Over the two-hours there were six questions asked by Canadian citizens to the politicians, approximately 20-minutes given to each question. Two candidates were pitted head-to-head against one another, and then the other two candidates were allowed to give their side.
I thought the format was really good, but I’m less than impressed with the responses.
Overall, I feel less enchanted by the whole political process. None of the candidates seemed to have “won” the debate, heck it seems like none of the questions were even answered.
I think that I have less respect for the candidates. Not one of them, in my opinion, did anything memorable. It was all political jabs at one another. More of the same, but this time televised with all of them in the same room. Sure, they reiterated what’s been covered by the media for the last few years and more-so in the last couple of weeks – so for those people who haven’t paid attention to the media it might be seen as “insightful”.
I have a sour taste in my mouth. Is this what our citizenship wants as leaders? People who are relatively petty? People who cannot work together?
I’m not suggesting for a moment that we need politicians to sing Kumbya. I understand the need for debate and getting alternative views on the table. But tonight appeared to solely be verbal spew. Nothing to take to heart.
Oh, I nearly forgot. What was the deal with the echo in the studio?
nice post.Thanks ……………..
I thought layton put on a great performance. Very entertaining. Scored a bunch of points off ignatieff. Very much looking forward to the french debate tomorrow! Agreed the acoustics were miserable. Don’t they test for that?
I was not able to watch the debate as I am in the Military working in England. I hear through some friends that Mr Harper seems to think that outside of Quebec, Canada has no french speaking Canadian. Well it is time to wake up Harper I am french, born and raise in Cape Breton and you need to realize that Canada has many French Canadians outside of Quebec. We need a PM that is in touch with Canada and not so full of himself, that all he can do is control what his MPs say or do without them having any say. Maybe he should move to another world where dictators are accepted and wanted
Matthew, you would think that they would do some testing re: audio quality.
I didn’t get a chance to check the french-language debate this eve… was it any better?
Gilles, good point. Perhaps Harper was speaking in generalizations – thinking that majority of french as first language Canadians live in Quebec.
There’s a good reason parliament was dissolved and we have an election happening. I’m surprised that Harper didn’t mention the $300mill needed to run the election, and how that money could be spent on this or that…
nice post….