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Wednesday, October 01, 2008
A Damned Surreal Debate
I'm watching the French-language debate on CPAC right now. Frankly, I'm slightly at a loss for words to describe what's going on.
Surreal. Damned surreal. That's the best I can think of to describe it. One of the leaders (I can't tell who, I'd left the room - but I think it was Layton) just launched a plea for the "many artists who live in poverty." This is bizarre. Does anyone think these things through. Is there really a single vote that's going to be won by any of the parties of the left on the ARTS FUNDING issue? Do you really think that anyone who's going to change their vote based upon the amount of public money given to artists is going to even think of voting Tory?
Dion is terrible tonight, in French - fading behind Harper, Layton, and May. I can't imagine what a fiasco tomorrow is going to be for him.
Also, speaking of voices, has anyone noticed that the translator who's doing Harper's voice has a very pronounced lisp? I find it hard to believe that that's an accident. The left never misses a chance.
Jason Cherniak is delusionally hopeful that "Dion has the most to gain" from the English language debate. Heh. Yeah, we'll see about that. Dion's fading to insignificance tonight - tomorrow he'll be lucky not to suffer a stroke on the stage.
Hopefully Harper is well-briefed. He should focus on Dion like a laser tomorrow, shredding his credibility and assaulting his character. Dion's most obvious weakness is that he appears to be an honest man - and a naive one. He bristles at attacks on his credibility. His English is bad enough as it is. Fluster him and he'll be totally incoherent.
Posted by Adam T. Yoshida on October 1, 2008 in Canadian Politics | Permalink
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Comments
I was thinking the exact same thing when I heard it. Are these people so out of touch that they believe the average Canadian voter gives two seconds of thought on art grants?
Posted by: Tom | 2008-10-01 8:27:51 PM
"Is there really a single vote that's going to be won by any of the parties of the left on the ARTS FUNDING issue? Do you really think that anyone who's going to change their vote based upon the amount of public money given to artists is going to even think of voting Tory?"
Yes. Maybe you don't follow politics in Quebec much, but the issue of funding the arts actually has traction in Quebec. It has been pretty widely reported that some voters who had been moving toward the Conservatives there were reconsidering based on the issue of funding the arts.
"Dion is terrible tonight, in French - fading behind Harper, Layton, and May."
Gee. What a shock. The Conservative cheerleader did not like Dion's performance. How unexpected. But the francophone viewers might not have had as much Kool-Aid as you tonight. In fact, one French TV station is reporting that viewers initial responses were generally positive to Dion, Duceppe, and Layton and negative to Harper and May. (He was, apparently, too reserved and she to forceful.)
"Also, speaking of voices, has anyone noticed that the translator who's doing Harper's voice has a very pronounced lisp? I find it hard to believe that that's an accident."
No. You wouldn't find it hard to believe. That goes without saying. But you're delusional, so maybe that's just the voice inside your head lisping. Speaking of delusions, how's the US Presidential race going? I understand you predicted McCain in a landslide. How's that working out for ya?
Posted by: Fact Check | 2008-10-01 8:32:04 PM
Actually I found it refreshing to hear Dion (and I am not a Liberal). He's articulate and provides some intelligent in-depth understanding of issues.
Posted by: Suprised Canadian | 2008-10-01 9:22:26 PM
"(and I am not a Liberal)"
Ya, okay.
Posted by: deepblue | 2008-10-01 9:42:53 PM
I have the flu, so I watched the medias idea of a debate and found it to be just what I expected...a gang of extremists who share in the same ideology screeching for attention and attacking the PM...Yawn. It was more of a dog pile on PM Harper then an actual debate, but I guess that was the media's intention all along. Caught some of the media's spin on the debate, and as expected they gave a victory to thier pathetic leader Mr.(yes I am an intellectual) Dion, which was predictable,and quite funny. Mr. Dion looked like he was going to crap in his pants, and was unsure of where he was or what he was supposed to be doing. Nothing of substance was heard, no party platforms, no plans for the country, just a bunch of silly, supercilious attacks on PM Harper signifying nothing. I look forward to more of the same garbage tommorow...Double Yawn.
Posted by: Sean | 2008-10-01 9:55:01 PM
Wow, some debate, eh? When it was finished, I was left a bit bewildered by the whole thing...cut-off after cut-off....I found the moderator to be less than able in his position.
Basically a shame, but that tells a story too.
Posted by: prairie dog | 2008-10-01 10:24:52 PM
I am a francophone and I believe that Stephane Dion showed how much intelligent, organized and compassionate he is. I think that some of you guys do not understand French well.
Between a Bully and a person who is honest and does not shine as people wish him, I choose the intelligent and sincere guy. I choose Dion any time of the day.
Last time I voted for NDP, but not this time.
STEPHANE, YOU HAVE MY VOTE :)
Posted by: meg | 2008-10-01 10:35:28 PM
meg,
Being a buffoon cuts through the language barrier.
Enjoy your kool-aid.
Posted by: deepblue | 2008-10-01 10:47:14 PM
Yes Meg, I am sure you truly 'see' the honest, and sincere man Mr. Dion embodies....but like deepblue, I think the kool-aid is to blame, so sorry for your loony affliction ;)
Posted by: prairie dog | 2008-10-01 10:59:28 PM
"The left never misses a chance." and the right does? Perhaps it's a ploy to make him seem softer and more friendly?
Posted by: Pete | 2008-10-01 11:21:16 PM
"Perhaps it's a ploy to make him seem softer and more friendly?"
Perhaps it is, but if it is, it is on his dime without the entire lib media espousing their partisan views and propping up their moronic candidates
Once again enjoy your kool-aid you partisan hack.
Posted by: deepblue | 2008-10-01 11:35:06 PM
"Perhaps it's a ploy to make him seem softer and more friendly?"
Perhaps it is, but if it is, it is on his dime without the entire lib media espousing their partisan views and propping up their moronic candidates
Once again enjoy your kool-aid you partisan hack.
Posted by: deepblue | 2008-10-01 11:36:18 PM
whoops, a dual e-wedgie, oh well looks good on a lib.
Posted by: deepblue | 2008-10-01 11:45:20 PM
Well perhaps Harper actually listened?
An interesting letter from Wayne Eyre - a retired Saskatchewan journalist - posted in the National Post at the end of the Month.
http://preview.tinyurl.com/4nyu9m
Posted by: The LS from SK | 2008-10-02 8:48:08 AM
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