On The First National Debate
October 1, 2008, Matthew Good I first want to make a statement regarding tonight’s debate that has nothing to do with the issues discussed. All Canadians should take a moment and digest the fact that we live in one of the only countries in the world in which political engagements are conducted bilingually. No matter where you happen to come from in this country, that is a point of pride that all Canadians should identify with.
That said; if it were possible to take everyone at that table tonight and somehow combine them into a single person, this county would be in good hands. Unfortunately, being that that’s an impossibility, my opinion of the five party leaders wasn’t altered this evening.
I will say that I was pleasantly surprised that the debate wasn’t entirely focused on the current economic crisis and the participants didn’t employ it as a political fear tactic. It was wide ranging and covered numerous issues, though I found it unfortunate that the war in Afghanistan did not receive more attention given that we are, after all, a nation at war – one that, when the size of our force is put into context with regards to the sizes of other NATO forces involved in combat operations, we have the highest casualty rate.
One definite positive about tonight’s debate was its moderation. Hopefully Jim Lehrer was taking notes.
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do you speak French Matt? or did you find a feed with translation. I did not. Waiting for the English one.
I know enough to get by in places, but I watched the translated version, yes. It was streamed live on the CBC’s website.
I wasn’t around the laptop. Ill see if it’s to be repeated. Thanks
Matt : Non seulement es-tu un chanteur et un écrivain chevronné, mais tu as aussi une largesse d’esprit national qui est admirable.
Only in Canada would debaters be asked to tell us “one good thing about your opponent on the left!! Like kindergarten!!
I loved the expression on Harper’s face – “What the hell am I doing wasting time with these minor leaguers.”
Seriously though, I think Layton will have won over a good number of undecided Quebec voters. He is at ease speaking French and he champions many of the grass roots issues that Quebecers can identify with.
I loved that question about praising the opponent on the left, although I think there were a few awkward moments. The debate proceeded the way we probably all expected with no surprises. Although I think it was pretty obvious that Harper and Dion don’t like being in the same room with each other, which probably explains why Parliament has been so dysfunctional as of late.
Matt Good said:
“That said; if it were possible to take everyone at that table tonight and somehow combine them into a single person, this county would be in good hands.”
Agreed. As it stands, i still am not sure exactly who i will to vote for. Each party and leader has its major flaws.
[quote comment="67283"]Seriously though, I think Layton will have won over a good number of undecided Quebec voters. He is at ease speaking French and he champions many of the grass roots issues that Quebecers can identify with.[/quote]
I disagree. Everything he said sounded like an echo of the 2006 election, when he also tried and failed to win over Quebec. I found Dion come across as the best leader (although I still won’t vote for him).
This debate really highlighted that the progressive vote is split 4 ways. It’s too late for this election, but I hope next time party leaders can put aside their egos and form a coalition.
Anyone but Harper…
[quote comment="67290"]Matt Good said:
“That said; if it were possible to take everyone at that table tonight and somehow combine them into a single person, this county would be in good hands.”
Agreed. As it stands, i still am not sure exactly who i will to vote for. Each party and leader has its major flaws.[/quote]
I wonder, you guys are only counting on the positive of each person, what would happen with the negatives of each candidate? Wouldn’t you wind up with a series of positives and negatives canceling each other out, leaving us with what we have today, normal people who do both good and bad?
Je suis hereuse que ma mere a decider de m’envoyer a l’ecole en francais a montreal :)
….obviously not the best at grammar and spelling, but still fluently bilingual, aloud.
J’etais aussi extremement fiere d’etre quand-meme capable d’engager dans cette debat dans l’autre moitier de notre nation bilangue.
To be honest, that was the one thing that continually stuck in my mind all night; the tremendous pride I felt as a Canadian citizen to see political leaders trying their damned hardest–and succeeding, no less!–to speak in a language secondary to their mother tongue. And I’m confident tomorrow will be just as interesting to see.
I’m sad I missed it. Worse still, I’m missing tomorrow’s too. I hope they turn up online.
Question about the debates:
Will the topics be the same for the english debate, and if not, where can I watch a translated version of the french debate?
the debate is supposed to be here, but it’s not streaming as of yet. Im guessing it’s overloaded at the moment, but it’s worth a check every 30 mins or so.
http://www.cbc.ca/video/popup_cvlp.html?http://www.cbc.ca/mrl3/16493/canadavotes/2008/News_Canada-Leaders-Election-Debate-French_10-01-08_2000.wmv
Thanks for the link, Too bad it won’t work for me either.
I thought the format was retarded; the leaders hardly had time to respond, it seemed rather crowded. It also didnt really seem like a debate, more like a 4-1 verbal fight. Its like the all leaders were ganging up on Harper, who seemed to handle the constant verbal bombardment rather well.
As an American, all I can say is: Jason Bay for PM!!!!!!!!
(Baseball fans will understand : )
Yes, it was 4-1, as it should have been. I was very pleased that they kept calling Harper on his lies and misinformation.
My own Canadian heritage affords me only a smidgen of old school Norwegian and I took Japanese in school. Gets me nowhere in the world I live in now, but it looks good on resumes!
I would be very proud to say that my country does things bilingually! Talk about progress and equality. I love it! Be proud!!
“That said; if it were possible to take everyone at that table tonight and somehow combine them into a single person, this county would be in good hands.”
I agree. Also, being a Quebecer, I would like to say that your comments on the country being bilingual is refreshing and I would like it if more Canadians (Quebecers included) would think that way.
That being said, for me, this debate showed me a pleasant side of Stephane Dion. I was surprised!
I was also glad that Elizabeth May was “allowed” on the panel because that is democracy. Even though it showed that she had no experience in such debates, she showed us that she has character and is not afraid to say what she thinks. We don’t know her as much here in Quebec.
Stephen Harper was attacked from all parts and I have to say that I loved it. He looked a bit lost.
Gilles Duceppe was…same old same old. I think the Bloc Quebecois should retire now.
Jack Layton was also same old same old. He was OK but nothing more.
And I also agree on the moderation. Stephane Bureau was great.
I watched about the first half. I was disappointed that I could only find the French debate going on with English translation on top of it. Practical, obviously, but I would have liked to hear the Anglo leaders speaking French.
The only thing I find odd about having two debates is that now each of them can tweak their answers based on what they know their opponents are going to say, assuming the questions are going to be similar in the English debate.
Then again, that’s not necessarily going to matter much, given that most of what they say is carefully planned in advance anyway, consisting, I assume, of mostly talking points.
I couldn’t watch it live, so I watched some of it on Radio-Canada last night around 1am, and I’ll watch the rest throughout the day.
I have to say that I always cringe when I see Duceppe in a debate. Regardless of his political stance on the issue of Québec soverenty, you have to hand it to him that he is pretty amazing in debates. Would he be in charge of a National Party that wasn’t bent on dividing the country, he would definitely be my number 1. (Then again, it is always easier to debate when you don’t have to defend your party’s past governments.)
Also, from what I’ve seen so far, I apprecitated them giving a voice to us French Canadians outside Québec, having french people from different provinces ask questions to the leaders. To often the “plight” of Québec drowns out our voices, and it feels good to see all French Canadians included in the debate.
Je suis, et serais toujours, Canadien Français, pas Québécois…
Oh, and anybody else find Harper’s face freaky? *shivers*
And if any body wants to watch the debate in French only, check it out here:
http://elections.radio-canada.ca/elections/federales2008/debat/debat_plus.shtml
[quote comment="67322"]Oh, and anybody else find Harper’s face freaky? *shivers*
[/quote]
Harper looked so disengaged, like he was thinking about something other than the questions being asked.
At one point it looked like he had completely tuned out, forcing the facilitator to reiterate the conversation and what was question was being asked.
I am Franco-Ontarian and proud of it. I also think it’s great that the debate is being held in both languages; however, I do think that the French debate disadvantages some of the leaders and does not offer the same level playing field. That said, I’m looking forward to less Duceppe and more May tonight!
[quote comment="67321"]I couldn’t watch it live, so I watched some of it on Radio-Canada last night around 1am, and I’ll watch the rest throughout the day.
I have to say that I always cringe when I see Duceppe in a debate. Regardless of his political stance on the issue of Québec soverenty, you have to hand it to him that he is pretty amazing in debates. Would he be in charge of a National Party that wasn’t bent on dividing the country, he would definitely be my number 1. (Then again, it is always easier to debate when you don’t have to defend your party’s past governments.)
Also, from what I’ve seen so far, I apprecitated them giving a voice to us French Canadians outside Québec, having french people from different provinces ask questions to the leaders. To often the “plight” of Québec drowns out our voices, and it feels good to see all French Canadians included in the debate.
Je suis, et serais toujours, Canadien Français, pas Québécois…[/quote]
Hear, hear BigD! I share your sentiments about Duceppe and considering yourself “Canadien” first and foremost.
[quote comment="67290"]Matt Good said:
“That said; if it were possible to take everyone at that table tonight and somehow combine them into a single person, this county would be in good hands.”
Agreed. As it stands, i still am not sure exactly who i will to vote for. Each party and leader has its major flaws.[/quote]
<—- you should try and vote for the best person in your riding, don’t neccesarily vote for the best party. Where i live in Langley, B.C. the conservatives always win by a landslide, so I attend the local debates and listen to the candidates and make a decision based on that. I try and go to their offices and speak with them one on one. Thus far only the green party condidate will speak with me, and has been for years anytime I apporach him.
[...] divergence of views were exposed, but that came at the very end of the debate and I agree with Matthew Good that it could have used more time. I’ll be making sure I’m on time for tomorrow’s [...]
Okay, this is off topic, and a bit weird perhaps, but I am in Vancouver for work this week and want to watch the US VP debate tonight….anybody know if it is likely to be shown in a public venue, ie: bar, pub, lounge, etc? I get that it isn’t what sports bars would generally show on their big screens but given the potential for SP to bomb or sneak one by, it has all the makings of a sporting contest!
Thanks!
Susie
It’s funny that you said the thing about putting all of the leaders into one. I said the exact same thing to my wife while we were watching the debate last night. Each of those people, like them or not, have qualities which leaders need.
Now… this is may seem kind of mean but I want to share it anyway because I think Elizabeth May bears a striking resemblance to this character from the Harry Potter movies.
http://familytrees.genopro.com/harry-potter/pictures/Peter-Pettigrew.jpg
Seriously, look at this pic of her and then that pick of the rat guy from the movie.
http://media.canada.com/133a26b3-7939-4ba4-b93e-0c570ecf1751/may.jpg
It’s uncanny.
Susie: If nobody else responds with something specific (and likely more helpful than this) this llink might give you some ideas depending on where you are staying. My take would be to go to an Irish pub so that you can yell ” Aw fek off ya gob-shite’ at the TV and have a few pints:
http://www.vancouverpubs.com
[quote comment="67347"]Susie: If nobody else responds with something specific (and likely more helpful than this) this llink might give you some ideas depending on where you are staying. My take would be to go to an Irish pub so that you can yell ” Aw fek off ya gob-shite’ at the TV and have a few pints:
http://www.vancouverpubs.com/quote
Ha……. I really did laugh out loud when I read this. Thanks Brian, I may have to add a new phrase to my vocabulary. Hard to get the accent right though.
[quote comment="67322"]Oh, and anybody else find Harper’s face freaky? *shivers*
And if any body wants to watch the debate in French only, check it out here:
http://elections.radio-canada.ca/elections/federales2008/debat/debat_plus.shtml/quote
Sweet, I was looking for that, thanks, I’m going to watch it now.
“That said; if it were possible to take everyone at that table tonight and somehow combine them into a single person, this county would be in good hands. Unfortunately, being that that’s an impossibility, my opinion of the five party leaders wasn’t altered this evening.”
I would agree.. except for Harper. If Duceppe, Layton, May, and Dion were one person that would be pretty cool. I really hate Stephen Harper, though!
Anyways, I am a native english speaker from Calgary, but I am bilingual.
I’m actually in Santiago, Chile right now and caught the debate on TV last night totally by chance (it was really weird to be flipping through channels tired at 4am and spot Jack Layton).
I was very impressed with Jack Layton’s french! He has almost no accent at all!
I grew up in Calgary going to a french immersion school. When we’d be asked to talk french in class we would do it very reluctantly, and as sort of a “protest” for HAVING to speak french, we would talk french VERY poorly.. like we were speaking english but saying french words. That is what Stephen Harper sounds like to me. Sure, he’s saying the words correctly but he’s making zero effort (in my opinion) to pronounce them NICELY. However, I’ve met some Quebecois lately who say they are very impressed with Harper’s french. I don’t get it!
Anyways, unfortunately I didn’t get to watch too much of the debate since I was hanging out with Chileans who were very uninterested in watching Canadians debate in french. Is the debate available anywhere on the internet? When will the English version be aired?
[...] of courage, which is, in turn, really a lack of vision. You look at the parties and, as Matt Good often comments, if you mashed them all up into one leader/party the country would be in good hands, but everyone [...]