Broad strokes: McGuinty looked defensive, and was reduced to rattling off statistics which won’t sway the undecided voters. Tory was a clear winner on presentation. In terms of policy prescriptions, the people of Ontario were clear losers.
Side notes: It sounded like Tory was taking his talking points from the Toronto Star. Every attack on McGuinty was told via a very sad (and conveniently unverifiable) story about this university student, or that single mother, or this old lady he met while he was out shaking hands. Entirely fallacious, but likely to be pretty effective.
The Liberals internal polling must be showing significant popularity for Mike Harris. McGuinty tried to blame all his problems on the previous Conservative government, true, but, unlike a few months ago, the name Mike Harris never passed his lips. When he referred to Harris it was always “the other guy.”
Interesting.
Correct me if I’m wrong, but I don’t think the Working Families ads mention Harris’ name either.
Paul wrote:
Why would they mention Mike?
A premier that did what he said he would…and won back to back majorities.
Mr. McGuinty pales by comparison.
Posted on 20-Sep-07 at 8:43 pm | Permalink
Cool Blue wrote:
By using the term “conservatives” they can paint Tory as part of the same old gang.
If they use Harris, people will think “what does a guy who became premier 12 years ago have to do with this”?
Posted on 20-Sep-07 at 9:07 pm | Permalink
Abattoir wrote:
I have to say I was underwhelmed by all 3 leaders. Hampton was the clear loser in my eyes, as he seemed shaky and distracted when the camera was on him. Also, the debate seemed to be purely between McGuinty and Tory, with Hampton trying to get his points in when he could. If I ever was thinking of voting NDP, I’m definitely not now.
Tory seemed confident and passionate, but personally I hated the allegorical examples he raised. You can prove anything allegorically. McGuinty’s stats were much more persuasive for me, but he seemed unsure debating Tory. Body language counts for a lot, and he was ’staring at his shoes’ to quote this morning’s Metro.
Personally, I’m undecided between 2 parties, and thanks to short-sighted corporate politics, one of them wasn’t even invited to the debate.
Posted on 21-Sep-07 at 7:55 am | Permalink
ruralrenegade wrote:
“Working families, working families, working families”. Ed Broadbent all over again.
“We need to do more work on that, and that, and that. Oh yeah, and that too” McGuinty McShminty. Just what the hell HAVE you been doin’ for four years anyway?
Posted on 21-Sep-07 at 10:55 am | Permalink