Picking a Winner as Tough as the Debate

   In spite of the jousting and attempts to score points this election debate ended up deeper than others.  

   NDP leader Jack Layton was probably the cleanest actor, but maybe a bit too smiley and smooth for the voters.

   Gilles Duceppe had the most heart, and it was in Quebec ... when he showed he would attack Martin, Layton and Harper over Quebec issues.

   Paul Martin was most under attack, but he continued to look like the boss under fire ... so unless the public decides the boss should be fired ... Martin wins a small victory in the debate.

   Conservative leader Stephen Harper took strong attacks on his possible hidden agenda ... that includes a threat to a woman's right to choice, Medicare, gay rights and so on.

   Under attack Harper looked like a failed Prime Minister ... having done a secret and possibly corrupt term of office. And on the attack Harper seemed weak, hiding his extremism behind his own lame acceptance of it. He came off like a waffling actor.

   Paul Martin probably hit Harper the hardest when he brought up the Harper letter apologizing to the US for Canada's lack of involvement in Iraq.

   I believe that Paul Martin has held his ground in Quebec and English Canada, and though Stephen Harper hasn't deflated, he hasn't inflated either.

   My guess is that Paul Martin will take a bit of the vote back from the Bloc and the Conservatives. But I may be wrong because Martin seemed almost blinded by his own Imperial policies, especially on missile defense ... and the viewers may have noticed that.

   I plan to vote for the Greens ... but my current prediction is a liberal minority government.

By Gary Morton at http://CanadaElection.org

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