Darcy and Ben live-blogged the French debate. I just obsessed in their comments about the squeeky voiced translators and the weird table they sat around. And kept switching to the Cubs game on the other channel.
Seriously, the table rather than podium set up was good as it made it more conversational. Dropping the opening and closing statements was good as well: how many times do I need to hear "good evening" and "good night"? Dion looked better than expected but would it kill him to sit up straight? Duceppe and Jack(!) had far better posture. But Harper had a particularly well cut suit...and nice hair. He's going grey quite quickly, isn't he.
Dion's first reference to "Green Shift" was 47 minutes in. Duceppe said "territorial approach" 13 times in a row at one point. And he tapped his finger as he did it! Brilliant play. That being said, I expect that we will not see Palin and Big Joe telling us about the good they see in the other. That was a bit smarmy sweet, a bit cub scout meeting after someone was bad. Then it got rough. Duceppe at 9:12 pm used the phrase "the university of crime". Excellent. Then it was time to change channels.
Other news for day 26:
- RED SOX WIN!!! WOOOOOOOT!
- Apparently Dion won the debate.
- Apparently Harper won the debate.
Comments
sean - October 2, 2008 9:34 am
I watched as much as I could and in the end I declare Gilles the winner, tied with the Red Sox. Too much yapping about the economy, not enough about other issues. Nice table idea, good on the no opening comments crap.
Renee - October 2, 2008 12:39 pm
We all know that Jack(!) is the handsomest leader. But what's this shit about Duceppe, Harper and Dion being less attractive than May?? She has way better hair, for starters.
Renee - October 2, 2008 12:40 pm
Er - more attractive. She polled as least visually attractive.
Alan - October 2, 2008 1:30 pm
...or Duceppe wins and Harper loses!
Matthew Fletcher - October 2, 2008 1:50 pm
I noticed the same thing about Harper's hair and suit.
I also hope the same format and table seating are back tonight.
Alan - October 2, 2008 1:53 pm
From the Globe:
"Darrell Bricker of Ipsos Reid said a pre-debate poll found most voters expected Mr. Dion to do very poorly, so even a moderately credible performance had significant impact on post-debate results. Likewise, Mr. Harper was expected to "wipe up the floor" with everyone there save for Mr. Duceppe, he said.
"Dion outperformed expectations and Harper underperformed against expectations," said Mr. Bricker, adding that it reminded him of the 1988 free trade debates in which then-Liberal leader John Turner defied low expectations by going toe-to-toe with Brian Mulroney."