BD: The advantage is in the communication skills, I agree. We’ll have to do this again someday eh?

LT:11:02 Well I was cheering for May and I wasn’t disappointed.  I think Harper shot back better than he did last night.  At the beginning some of the hand offs between the opposition leaders worked so well I thought they were organized before hand.  I don’t know who won, but I don’t think Dion did.  His language is a barrier that will probably prevent his ever becoming PM.  Hate to say it because he is intelligent and sincere but I don’t think he connects with people.

BD We’re done. No winner as far as I’m concerned. I’m voting tomorrow in the advance poll. Any final thoughts LT? Mine is live blogging isn’t easy.

BD: 10:52 LT… Steve P just said what you said on Skype and phrased it as the final question. Are you channelling him?:^)

LT: 10:52 Layton wasted no time pick up on the platform piece.
LT: 10:51 Harper “take a look at our platform” ….ummmm what platform?

BD: 10:51 I agree with Harper about the right to vote.

BD: Talk over #13. Dion is sooo hard to listen too. The gavel is down. Last question. Citizen. I’m tired of politicans who kiss question. Broken promises. Trust.

LT: 10:44 May brings up “peak” oil without saying it

LT: 10:42 Steve Paiken throws a great hard question a Dion on Ontario’s lack of the support of the Green Shift

BD: No more tag team - getting down to platforms and substance?

LT: 10:40 Harper brings in the gas (Diesel) tax pander imported from the McCain campaign

BDL 10:40 pm Dion addresses the economy. Reassuring.

LT: 10:38 Proportional Representation made it to the debate woohoo!

BD: 1-37 Citizen question No bullfeathers. What is the very first thing you will do when you become PM?

BD: No one can say watching May she is a one horse wonder. Stong grasp of more than one issue.

BD:  10:32 talk over again 11th time. May aside. “The only reason we’re not in Iraq is because you weren’t the PM at the time.”

BD: Harper is talking money for development in Afganistan. Why aren’t we seeing the results?

BD: 10:27 We have some smart cookies - this debate is better without translators, I can understand why Quebec has it’s own debate.

LT:10:24 Jack scored some points on Dion - if you can’t lead the opposition how can you be PM.

BD: talk over #10. Citizen question. Afganistan. Go LT.

BD: 10:20 pm A repeat from last night on crime. We aren’t the US.  The opposition is doing it’s job tonight. Yeah LT I get the funding issue, every couple of months we’d have to cover it.

LT: 9:16 One of my clients is one of the non-profits that promote literacy that the Conservatives cut, they had to jump through serious hoops to get their funding back.

LT: Dion is the only opposition leader offering alternatives.
BD: Layton with a soft spot for the arts, you’re right LT that was, gulp, genuine.  Wow. May is a pit bull. So did your kitten get eaten?

LT: Jack Layton is coming across with sincerity…the twilight zone continues.

LT: 10:02 Harper is going back to the rhetorical sweater vest!  He plays a little piano.

BD: 9:59 found it? Montreal Gazette June 18, 2007 Layton had hernia treatment at a private TO clinic. He’s in good company. Question. Citizen. Culture. Go LT!
LT: 9:58 Jack brings up aboriginal health, nice to see this issue in the debate.

BD: 9:55 pm Dion is pink. The english is slipping. Focus dude. So what did Jack Layton use a private clinic for?
LT: Jack Layton used a private clinic?  Jack just got served by Harper!

BD: 9:51 Smack from Jack. We need more education to fill the need, the problem is not enough doctors.
BD: 9: 46. Harper looks like he is going to eat your kitten. Question. Citizen Health care. 5 million Canadians don’t have a family doctor. It’s yours LT…
BD: 9:43 Talk over #5. First sales pitch I’ve heard - from Dion. Duceppe will never govern, so he hcan use laser eyes. Power play coming up.
LT: 9:41 Duceppe said “devlepmont” take another drink.  Did you notice he uses his hands like a scope and crosshairs.

LT: 9:40 Dion just turned pink!  He is a true red blooded liberal!
BD: 9:38 pm Paiken is smoking! What didn’t we have him referee before?
LT: 9:35 Harper is lying about the Liberal tax cuts, independent economists have confirmed that their plan is revenue neutral.

BD: Steve Paiken wrestles control of this puck - 4 talk all at once times in the first segment. Question two: a citizen. The environment. Go LT! Go LT! Go LT!

LT: 9:30 May is lecturing our economist PM and making solid points….have we entered the twighlight zone?

BD: 9: 27 Keep your crush to yourself LT.:^) He’s going to be raising his voice before the end of this. This is the May Layton hand off . May passes to Layton, who takes it in for the goal. Passed back over the blue line and Duceppe shoots it back. (Harry Neale isn’t gong to be worrying about his job;^)

LT: Harper’s strategic investments in autos and airplanes, great industries to invest in post-peak oil world.

LT: I have a confession to make, I have a non-sexual crush on Steve Paiken, he hasn’t had to use his skills much.

BD: 9:19 Duceppe “What good is a tax credit for a company that doesn’t make any profits” This is curb stomp Harper time a very co-ordinated attack by the oppos… going to be a long night for Harper.

BD: Dion - ‘Laissiere faire I don’t care” they are coming out swinging.

LT: 9:14 Smiling Jack has got some sting.

BD: 9:13 pm May is a surprise - “Harper is favouring one region over another cutting taxes” Another goal.
LT: Harper lost the smirk from last night.

BD: 9:08 pm May! “Where is your platform?” Strong. It’s okay she talks fast. Nice shot.

LT : Duceppe channeling himself on an old debate - “Don’t worry be happy” will he say “be worried there is an inquiry”
LT: 9:05 Harper trying to save himself with the panic comment, not sure it will have traction.
BD: Steve Paiken as moderator good choice. Elizabeth May lost the necklace, talks too fast. Dion is looking very sincere.

LT: 9:00 - We are crossing the Peter - Manns Bridge
BD: 8:59 pm I want to hear issues - oh same egg shaped table!

LT: 8:58 pm EST - I’ve got my snacks, I’ve released my bladder, I’m ready to go
BD: 8:50 pm est - Ground control to Major Tom - LT? You ready to liveblog the debate?

Any thoughts before it starts?

“A politician needs the ability to foretell what is going to happen tomorrow, next week, next month, and next year. And to have the ability afterwards to explain why it didn’t happen.” - Winston Churchill