While at times it was like watching Most Extreme Elimination Challenge due to the French to English translators jumping all over each other to mimic the argument of our four national leaders, it was a good debate.

Duceppe of the leftist Quebec separatist Bloc Quebecois won. Not because his French was the best but because he made the best arguments: why did the Liberals pay off the deficits with EI surpluses which should have stayed in rural Canada to keep sons and daughters at home, why does a car factory in Ontario get money but not one in Quebec. Layton for the NDP was pretty good but the "you can ring my bell" era moustache is kinda weird. Prime Minister Martin looked like his shirt collar was a bit tight now and then but he held his own and his attack on Harper for planning to cut taxes and increase military instead of health was good. Harper for the Tories looked like a guy who had be told to "look presidential" - he didn't mind you...just looked like he was trying. He looked a little like he was trying hard to follow the discussion in French or that he had taken a bad fall down a stair way just before coming on stage. Bland smile and bland words.

English tonight.