They’re talking about Sponsorship….
I’m listening on radio, so perhaps Harper has revolving red eyes, horns sprouting and green slime oozing out of his ears, but on the off chance he isn’t..
He’s kicking Martin’s ass.
Update: on farming now.
So far, Martin’s best jab was quoting the old Harper speech. Nice rebuttal, though. Throwing the “questioning his patriotism” charge in his face.
Duceppe is really hurting Martin with this hair-splitting over the use of the word “nation”.
(Can Jack “it’s time” Layton be any more nonspecific in his “solutions”?)
Martin is sssttttttaaammering now… and saying nothing in the process. Any mention of Gomery seems to do that to him.
AND… Martin is going to be facing a firestorm tomorrow, after his announcement that his government would reopen the constitution to remove the “notwithstanding clause”.
Monte Solberg grabs Rosemary Thompson’s blackberry;
“Oops breaking news. Paul says his new number one priority is childcare. Well, childcare and education. I guess they have knocked values and aboriginal issues out of one and two.”
“Or is it gassing the nothwithstanding clause. What happened to Paul’s committment to use the clause to protect religious freedom if the Supremes ever started to erode those freedoms. Can’t have it both ways Paul.”
“Better go now. Rosemary is missing her BlackBerry so.”
Did I just hear that Martin and Harper were “trying to outbid each other with your money” – come out of the mouth of Jack Layton??? Even hardcore NDP must have swallowed hard at that one.
Other good catches in the comments.
We’ve had Martin call Aboriginals the root cause of poverty
I heard that too. That has the makings of a Conservative campaign ad.
He is a Quebecer but he is from Essex county as well.
Paul Martin just called for the abolition of democracy in Canada. It will be interesting to see how this plays out.
Andrew Anderson:”it seems to me that Prime Minister Paul Martin made a new promise tonight: a Liberal government will Americanize the Canadian justice system by doing away with the “Not Withstanding Clause”. This will open us to all of the problems present in the US Supreme Court, the largest of which is the horrendous and long-term political impact of appointing new justices.”
A dissenting opinion from ” garhaneg”;
I guess everyone sees the same event their own way. I was reminded of a good skater coming down from a triple on one good solid foot that sprays the ice as he swirls away.
Martin, at long last, apologized for the hugely overblown scandal, such as it was, and lectured the others to grow up and move on, as he sped away from what was once thought to be his nemesis.
I like it. Stand up for Medicare and Vote Liberal, unless the NDP has a really good chance in your riding.
Interesting point. I wonder, then, in light of the recent Supreme Court decision, if the writer would be comfortable with a federal government that is unable to invoke the Nothwithstanding Clause to offset, or delay a court ruling opening wide the door to private “for profit” health care in Canada?
Morning after thoughts at Canadian Sentinel.
yup
No, Harper actually looks like a Prime Minister.
I loved his opening statement.
So far, so good.
Did PMPM really just say that having more women in Parliament would “play well”?
Standing 8 count.
yes kate harper is doing a great job and martin is getting it from every direction
my 12 yearold is laughing at martin too
blue in the ottawa valley !
Duceppe:
“Mr. Martin is a living democratic deficit.”
Oh my GOD, that has to hurt. OUCH!!
Quebecers will cutting Mr. Martin a new one on the Options Canada stuff.
Martin keeps stammering. He’s no good at this.
Harper’s keeping his cool and Martin sounds mad.
On the electoral question Harper blew em away.
Criminal justice: Harper is sweeping the floor
Liberals have had 13 years to do something. Etc.
Looking strong and authoritative.
Martin has no shame, on IT and Options Canada, he claims these are only allegations, not criminal investigations. He claims only Lie-beral’s speak the truth. Loser! Go, Stephen, Go!!!
And NOW Martin says that most of the guns are coming from ‘the homes of citizens’… NOT From across the border as they have tried to say until now..Martin is an idiot!
Stephen Harper is outstanding on all issues…
Duceppe cuts Martin a new one too!
It is painful to watch Martin – how can he actually believe what he is saying?
I note Kate’s blog entry that Harper’s kicking Martins ass…and everyone’s comments above seem to agree with that.
Yet the CBC article, just posted, puts a pro-Martin, anti-Harper spin: Martin proposes a Constitutional Amendment essentially eliminating the Notwithstanding Clause and “…But Harper rejected Martin’s offer.”
NAH, no pro-Liberal bias at the CBC…
Scott Reid should be due in Martin’s corner with a new pair of Depends underwear any minute now.
ekos 43-29 woo hoo
Harper’s cool, calm and collected. Martin’s twitchy, nervous and stumbling. Layton’s just trying. Duceppe doesn’t seem to want to be there.
The PM resembles the tomato cans that Mike Tyson used to pole axe in 3 rounds early in his career. If he were a pet and I was a vet I’d be administering a sedative right now as he looks a mite wired on catnip.
Jack and Paulie shamelessly pandering to women.
Paulie proposes to restrict the federal government from ever using the not-withstanding clause thereby establishing the supremacy of the courts, then he’s hit with the swinger decision.
He’s cutting his own throat!!!
I sure like the format change, lots more mixing it up.
Go Harper!!!
Syncro
Folks keep the comments coming, so some of us not watching can get the drift. Thanks.
Where in Hell is this moderator from? I cannot believe the loaded questions, and the lead ins!
A moderator is supposed to impartial isn’t he/she?
Is anyone else here getting sick of PMPM’s hands flailing all around?
Did Martin just say they would take the money from well-off Canadians? Haven’t we had enough of that kind of robbery?
paulie wants a time out for who maybe the moderator or for him!
Same tired old Paul Martin, but was expecting him to do his “chicken little” routine
During the ongoing Leaders’ Debate tonight, Martin stated that a Liberal government will remove the “Notwithstanding” Clause from the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms – making the Supreme Court of Canada a virtual oligarchy: unaccountable and unelected.
Lost Budgie, I heard the exact same thing, what a moron.
As much as I despise Martin he is fairing better than I expected, except when they show him when others are speaking he is either gritting his teeth or looking like a total bufonn.
Re removal of notwithstanding clause
Paul Martin’s favourite movie
http://ca.movieposter.com/poster/MPW-10112/Say_Anything.html
Wade,
We here at SDA prefer “Maroon” to to “Buffoon”
ken
JACK! and his continuing “third option”…keeps reminding me of the “third rail”….
Just watched Layton climb into bed with Martin, how many others noticed it? You have to realize that if Harper doesn’t get a clear cut majority then we will not see a change in government in this country, we’re going to see a SSM.
Jack reminds of a third wheel.
Ooops. Shouldn’t try typing and watching the tube at the same time. Missed a “me”.
Soccer moms don’t like shouting and arguing, so the debate format becomes this snoozefest. It works for Harper I suppose, along with Duceppe muddling the waters it takes away the hot button moments, which Paul Martin sees as his only hope. Martin is trying desperately for the magic soundbite but it’s not happening.
Is it just me or does Paulie get more “discretionary” rebuttals?
Crb: As long as Harper can do a good job of answering the questions, I think he’ll come out ahead.
Pity the cameraman following Martin. The poor sap is really earning his keep tonight.
Ducceppe talking about an agricutlture bill worked on by the three parties with heavy resitance from the Liberals. Martin turns it around and says Harper is the only one that didn’t support it. Ducceppe looks at Martin with a look of surprise and then looks at Harper with a “are you going to take this BS?” look on his face.
Gee, who’s telling lies again!?
Wow….you might actually believe this was Prime Minister Harper defending his record against Leader of the Opposition Paul Martin.
Little will change other than freeze where people are.
Still 30 minutes to go but barring a banana peal we can lock this one down.
Ooops..unity…..tick tock…hmm nope no screw ups except Jack. Proving he is sitting at the Big Persons table.
Monte Solberg borrowed Rosemarie Thompson’s blackberry to post on her blog. http://rosemary-thompson.electionblog.ctv.ca/default.asp?item=129935
“Oops breaking news. Paul says his new number one priority is childcare. Well, childcare and education. I guess they have knocked values and aboriginal issues out of one and two.”
“Or is it gassing the nothwithstanding clause. What happened to Paul’s committment to use the clause to protect religious freedom if the Supremes ever started to erode those freedoms. Can’t have it both ways Paul.”
“Better go now. Rosemary is missing her BlackBerry so.”
I have to get Mr. Harper in here by rules???
As I said previously ‘Where is this SOB of a moderator from?
CRB
My Gawd!! He’s ANGRY!
Quick, line up the kittens for PMPM’s post-debate feast…
CRB, to answer your question, “Where is this SOB of a moderator from?”
He’s from the CBC, the Grits’ lefty mouthpiece and propaganda organ. Paid for with your tax dollars.
crb,
Ok he’s from TV Ontario. Generally I thought he was doing a good job. I thought he let Martin and Duceppe go to far and wouldnt let Harper in, then cut him off.
A little odd.
Hey its a hockey game. I suspect he’ll correct. He’s a decent guy and wrote a great biography on John Robarts, a greta Ontario Conservative premier. I wouldnt assume he’s a Liberal
Martin is too angry to be PM.
I think Paul just gained the copyright on ‘Fundamentally’
Paulie is sure digging a hole on national unity.
Anyone else notice that almost all the time, the only debater this moderator cuts off is Harper?
Can’t get a fix on what Disease-Of-The-Month it represents, but what’s the white rubber bracelet on JACK!’s right wrist in support of?
PM is an angry, bordering on irrational.
I caught the comeback Harper made to Martin about refusing to debate Duceppe. a zinger.