Maclean's leaders' debate livestream link

[Joe Shlabotnik]

[Fred Sanders]

1. A discussion of various issues from opposing views with a range of solutions proffered - a debate. Compared

to whatever that is that Fox is holding tonight.

[laundry_queen]

2. UGH!!!!!

I had some errands to run and *just* missed it. Forgot to record it. Now I can't find an actual link to the debate - all links lead to the live after-debate leader comments. I wanna see the debate! WAH! Darn kids who need things picked up after work

[Joe Shlabotnik]

3. It'll be around tomorrow I'm sure.

It was very good debate actually. Moderated decently. No real 'gotcha' moments though, but every major topic was discussed.

(IMO) Elizabeth May was the rock star of the debate. Mulcair did verrrry well. Trudeau was petulant at first, got a bit better, and then delivered another silly melodramatic closing pitch that begs re-editing with Barber's Adagio for Strings, and Harper just looked and sounded pathetic and defeated. That's my take.

Oh, and this:

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Dear leader taking ownership of his Senate appointees. What Leadership!!?1

[laundry_queen]

4. Thanks Joe

Great synopsis. Looking forward to watching it. Nevermind my earlier tantrum...the live link that previously didn't work does now, as there are no more live comments, so they have the rerun of the debate running. Off to watch....

[laundry_queen]

5. Well now that I've seen it

I tend to agree with everything you've said.

Elizabeth May ran away with it. She knew her shit, she communicated it well and she landed well placed blows. No one came close, imo.

Mulcair was a bit too guarded and stiff for my liking but didn't mess up too badly (except for he should've not engaged Trudeau on the Quebec question) and I think that was the plan - don't make the headlines in a bad way, and you'll stay in front.

Trudeau - hm. Well, I was a bit taken aback at how unpolished his speaking seemed to be, I think it is definitely true he does better when surrounded by masses of people instead of in a formal setting. He lost me at times, but he wasn't that bad. He had a decent command of the facts, though he tended to contrast/compare to both sides of the aisle constantly, like the 3 little pigs, he's trying to be the 'Just right" one. Not sure I buy it.

Harper, you are right, sounded pathetic, but I don't know if it was so much defeated...it looked more like egotistical ennui to me. Like he couldn't believe he had to bother with this crap. And I found nothing more annoying than him repeating things that have been proven to be false, and declaring them facts. Right out of the Republican playbook. Like when Elizabeth May mentioned to him LNG is indeed a fossil fuel after hearing him play LNG up as an alternative, Harper kept on calling it a 'clean' fuel and 'clean LNG'. barf-a-roni. And as a business grad hearing him talk about economics is like nails on a chalkboard. Most of the things he claims as an accomplishment are due to old Liberal policies before he even took power. ick. But won't take responsibility for the Senate. What a true right-winger. "Everything good is me, everything bad is you."

That's my opinion on it. Well, off to bed, that debate was quite long, LOL!

[CanSocDem]

7. Elizabeth May WAS great...

...last night. Surprised me actually. There is our coalition partner.

Justin Trudeau looked out of place, like a little kid sitting at the grown-ups table. His summation speech at the end was really weak and left the impression that he was completely out of his league.

Granted, he would be better than Harper as PM, but as those TV ads are saying, 'Not now...'

Of course, the leader of the opposition did great. He was too well groomed for my taste but I understand the importance of looking good for the 'liberals' out there.

That they ALL pointed out the lies and hypocrisy of Harper was good. Seems they are united in getting him out of office.


.

[Joe Shlabotnik]

10. Agree about May and Mulcair.

Honestly I wouldn't mind losing a couple of NDP seats to the green party, as long they still formed the government, and an NDP/Green coalition would be great. The Greens could be the conscience like the way the NDP was to Libs back in the 60's and early 70's.

[CanSocDem]

12. That's what I was thinking.

I liked it when she said she would be a big part of the next government. With Mulcair I think that's a given. I've read some outrageous analysis today but this was the best:

http://thetyee.ca/Opinion/2015/08/07/Tyee-Election-Debate-Awards/?utm_source=daily&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=070815


Most impressive display of climate change ownership: May

Green leader Elizabeth May owned the issue during the debate, which is sad because ownership of this territory appears limited to the leader with no chance of winning the election. -- CP


Most adept wonk: Tie, Mulcair and May

The best-briefed debater who presented facts and statistics as well as rhetoric in answers? NDP leader Thomas Mulcair and May share this honour, and leave this observer hoping for a Mulcair government influenced by a ginger group of Green MPs, who clearly have some things to teach him, particularly on pipeline policy and military adventurism.



.

[Joe Shlabotnik]

13. That was a fun read,

with a lot of truths. I liked:

The William Shatner award for best use of staccato: Mulcair
Mulcair vowed that "The NDP. Will. Repeal. Bill. C-51" and said that Harper had the "Worst. Job. Record. Since. The Second World War."

[laundry_queen]

6. Found this on Facebook

Good thing I didn't play this game (can't seem to get just the picture):

http://www.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeedcanada/the-official-2015-federal-election-drinking-game?utm_term=.ghKwL0KV4&sub=3930244_6531841

[Spazito]

8. I've felt for a while that Harper's 'heart' isn't in it and the debate confirms it, imo...

He has no passion, no fire anymore.

Elizabeth May was, by far, the winner, imo. I hope her winning performance in this debate will make those holding the future debates to rethink this and invite her to participate.

Mulcair and Trudeau were okay, no big gaffs or big moments, imo.

[alcina]

9. I agree about Elizabeth May

She was completely awesome. I wish we had more politicians like her. The rest of the bunch...meh.

As much as I admire Tom Mulcair -- heck, I've been giving him all my coffee money for the last 2 months -- I found his TVQ a little creepy. He's great when he's passionate and speaking from the heart. Whoever advised him to tone it down and adopt the Miss-America smile (or "rictus," as the Star called it) gave him bad advice. As many observers have pointed out, it came across as forced and phony. More than once I was reminded of Arthur Carlson's attempt at political debate on WKRP in Cincinnati. Not good.

As for Trudeau, he was a lot better than I was expected, but that doesn't say much. And Harper? Ugh. Like the rest here, I thought he came across as alternately arrogant, unprepared, and just bored. Unfortunately, I heard a few people on the streetcar today talking about how he "nailed it" and that he was the only one who seemed like a "leader."

I watched parts of the debate again, and I have to say that, were I more objective, I could probably interpret parts of his performance as demonstrating some level of grace under pressure. But then, sociopaths are often very good at remaining cool in difficult situations.

[Joe Shlabotnik]

11. That smile was funny.

I thought a few times he looked a bit stoned actually.

[Joe Shlabotnik]

14. 12 Invisible Things You May Have Missed At The Leaders Debate

http://www.buzzfeed.com/laurenstrapagiel/12-invisible-things-you-may-have-missed-at-the-canadian-lead#.syjvDMJm

8. A tiny hamburger patty that’s almost ready for the grill.
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10. An orchestra.
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12. A dropped ice cream cone (and the ensuing dismay).
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