French Debate (my impressions)

[Lucy Goosey]

My bias: I'm and NDP at heart (though not a huge Layton fan), but really an "anyone-but-Harper" type in this election. Dion was my choice for Liberal leader. I have always had a visceral bad reaction to Harper (dude is creepy!), and, to be honest, I know very little about May.

Overall, there were no shocks for me. It was relatively polite, though there were a few moments of too! much! crosstalk! Harper has really improved his French, I have to give him that. Dion looked great overall - I don't think anyone who was seeing these people for the first time would have guessed that he was the one with the "wimp" reputation. He was on point and direct and quite intelligent (and obviously benefitting from being able to use his first language.) Harper spent a lot of time on the defensive, given that 4 people were opposing him in particular, and unfortunately for him, his voice tended to go a bit high pitched and whiny when de gets defensive in French. I really can't believe that he did much to help his chances in Quebec. It was interesting that talk kept turning back to the environment during questions on the war, the economy, and leadership. Good development, that.

One of the big themes - Harper is Bush! On the economy, the environment, national security, negative campaigning, crime, etc. I'm pretty sure that the other 4 all managed to mention that at one point or another. Which, fair enough. (Please don't hand him a majority!)

Most unfortunate line - Harper: "The fundamentals of our economy are strong." Hmmm, it seems to me I've heard that before. Like, recently. And not in a good way.

Best zinger goes to May - Harper was bragging about cutting the GST, and May pointed out that it did not a thing to help the economy, and in fact it was "another thing" he stole from his fellow Bush disciple John Howard. Ouch!

Funniest moment - At one point, Dion was looking at Layton, and clearly meant to talk about Layton, but said "One reason that Mr. Duceppe will never be Prime Minister is ..." (The moderator pointed out that he probably meant Layton.) Dion was all, "well, Duceppe, won't be PM either..." Duceppe laughingly agreed. Laughter around the table. Uh, maybe you had to see it live to find it funny. (Okay, yeah, not really that funny. These leaders are essentally policy wonks, and as a Canadian, that's how I like my politicians. None of them are going to be accused of leading a cult of personality.) (Or of having a personality. Rimshot!)

I also have a lot more I could write (I took notes!) if anyone is interested. But I've had a few glasses of wine since the debate ended, so I think I should stop babbling for now.

I'm now kind of interested to see some of the media reaction to this - I haven't seen any spin, I flipped right to Olbermann when the debate was over.

And I'm even more interested in hearing the impressions of fellow Canadian DUers. Anyone? ...Anyone?

[HeresyLives]

1. 3 you might like.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20081001.welxnfrdebate1001/BNStory/politics/home

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20081001.welxnsimpson02/BNStory/Front

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/blogs/Steele

Maybe when you get past the wine. :rofl:

[Lucy Goosey]

2. I'm just gonna assume that you aren't laughing at me...

I mean, you're laughing at Harper or something, right? :D

[HeresyLives]

4. I always laugh at Harper.

I would never laugh at you.

Honest, anyone that watched it and even took notes is entitled to a little wine. ;)

[Lucy Goosey]

5. Uh, you should see my notes before you give me any credit...

I'm quite capable of incoherence in both official languages:

Quebec is a nation in canada unifiie. What does that actually mean?
Harp – geste de reconciliation, quebecois sont tres patient pendent j apprends francais, proposed better crtc legs for french
Dion – je suis partie de cette nation, fiere des deux identitees,
May – quebec unique au monde, richesse du canada, quebec richesse a notre culture, autres nations en canada– autochtonnes, nations premieres, sorry its not part of the debate
Duceppe – pas de consequances juridiques, not good enough, cut arts and culture funding
Layton – ndp was in favour all along, and agreed that french should be required in quebec businesses, Harper cut funding for arts all across country
Harper – we raised arts spending!
several - not!

This is what I typed as it happened, in real time, with wine.

But, in my defence, I'm a product of the Ontario education system and Canada's (bilingual) University. And I'm a federal government employee who works in 2 languages on any given day.

[HeresyLives]

8. Well, your French works,

and you know what you mean by your points, so I'd say the wine didn't hurt. ;)

[daleo]

3. I watched a lot of it, though my French is minimal

I was intrigued how much more polite they seemed than I was used to from the English debates. Maybe having 3 of 5 speaking in their second official language helped out.

[Caradoc]

6. Uniting the right...

Poor Mr. Harper...the only problem with 'Uniting the Right' is that you make yourself target #1 to everyone else. My french is 'tres pauvre' (is that correct?) and filled with northern Ontario slang, but the debate was an excellent format; very mature. I hope it's not dumbed-down for the english debate. Ms. May was engaged and an excellent addition to the line-up...she's earned her spot on the national stage and we are a stronger democracy for it. Monsieur Dion and Monsieur Duceppe were both exceptional...Dion's no wimp and Duceppe carries himself extremely well where as once upon a time he seemed somewhat shrill. So proud of my country for its maturity and its willingness to embrace diversity. Harper tried bravely to pass off the usual neo-con platitudes but was pounced upon each time. Layton was forthright but seemed to lack gravitas. My prediction: tories lose seats in Quebec...cultural funding and the environment are tres importante pour Quebec et la francaphonie.

[Bragi]

7. I really liked the new format

It lead to some actual interaction and exchanges, as opposed to the series of set piece soliloquys we usually get. I also liked cancelling the opening and closing statements, which are usually tedious.

And if anyone missed the French debate and wants to read a very amusing group liveblog of it (in English), go here:

http://blog.macleans.ca/2008/10/01/macleansca-liveblog-canadian-leadership-debate-day-1/

- B