Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community - View Single Post - Gilles wins the English debate, hands down

kulrblind · 06-16-2004, 04:23 AM

It's perfectly reasonable for Gilles to say he doesn't care about the rest of Canada. Frankly, why should he? His party isn't running in any other provinces (though I was thinking he could probably win a few seats if he ran in NB or some other French-friendly provinces). I'm actually not sure what gives him the right to be at a national debate when he's not part of a national party, but whatever.

I did have a problem with the way Gilles refused to accept any answer to his questions. Yes, I understand he was asking about how we can have spending without a foreign policy directive, but seriously, repeating "You're not answering my question" is doing nobody any good at this debate. If all parties would show some courtesy and let a few candidates finish their thoughts, the barbs and the ribs could have done so much more damage. This goes equally for Steven Harper and Jack Layton talking -simultaneously- for about 30 seconds during one topic. Sheesh, who's listening to that? I'd rather watch the Pistons dismantle the Lakers in game 5.

If asked, I'd score it this way:

Gilles Duceppe: Great speaker, possibly shouldn't be at a national debate except for the fact that his party will likely represent 17% of Canada's population. Thankfully there will be someone in the government to represent more than just the majority of english-speaking Canada. Good at: social policy, cutting down people in both official languages, speaking succinctly.

Jack Layton: Passion and platform aside, he unfortunately still looks like a used car salesman. Will continue to represent what the NDP has worked so hard for: being a pesky fly on the back of the government horse, rallying around social and environmental causes. Good at: smiling and nodding, and making friends with poential coalition parties.

Steven Harper: Unfortunately has no expressed platform on social issues (same sex marriage, abortion), but wild spending plans and some doubt as to the revenue sources to fund said spending. Also appears to be the token "broken record" on liberal spending goofs, but hey, it seems to be working. Good at: looking suave and making hand gestures.

Paul Martin: The 'talking head' of the Liberal movement, whose main campaign is focussed on "how bad can Canada get if you elect the Conservatives?" The smear campaign is alive and well in Canada, thank god. :P Seems to think that promises now will be worth more than broken promises previously, but this is a main challenge for the incumbent in every election. Good at: not answering questions, promising that "this time it will be different", pretending that he has a grassroots social policy.

06-16-2004, 04:23 AM	#3 (permalink)
kulrblind plays well with others Location: Canada	It's perfectly reasonable for Gilles to say he doesn't care about the rest of Canada. Frankly, why should he? His party isn't running in any other provinces (though I was thinking he could probably win a few seats if he ran in NB or some other French-friendly provinces). I'm actually not sure what gives him the right to be at a national debate when he's not part of a national party, but whatever. I did have a problem with the way Gilles refused to accept any answer to his questions. Yes, I understand he was asking about how we can have spending without a foreign policy directive, but seriously, repeating "You're not answering my question" is doing nobody any good at this debate. If all parties would show some courtesy and let a few candidates finish their thoughts, the barbs and the ribs could have done so much more damage. This goes equally for Steven Harper and Jack Layton talking -simultaneously- for about 30 seconds during one topic. Sheesh, who's listening to that? I'd rather watch the Pistons dismantle the Lakers in game 5. If asked, I'd score it this way: Gilles Duceppe: Great speaker, possibly shouldn't be at a national debate except for the fact that his party will likely represent 17% of Canada's population. Thankfully there will be someone in the government to represent more than just the majority of english-speaking Canada. Good at: social policy, cutting down people in both official languages, speaking succinctly. Jack Layton: Passion and platform aside, he unfortunately still looks like a used car salesman. Will continue to represent what the NDP has worked so hard for: being a pesky fly on the back of the government horse, rallying around social and environmental causes. Good at: smiling and nodding, and making friends with poential coalition parties. Steven Harper: Unfortunately has no expressed platform on social issues (same sex marriage, abortion), but wild spending plans and some doubt as to the revenue sources to fund said spending. Also appears to be the token "broken record" on liberal spending goofs, but hey, it seems to be working. Good at: looking suave and making hand gestures. Paul Martin: The 'talking head' of the Liberal movement, whose main campaign is focussed on "how bad can Canada get if you elect the Conservatives?" The smear campaign is alive and well in Canada, thank god. :P Seems to think that promises now will be worth more than broken promises previously, but this is a main challenge for the incumbent in every election. Good at: not answering questions, promising that "this time it will be different", pretending that he has a grassroots social policy.