Debate shocks campaign to life

Hey folks, I've found a pulse.
After two weeks of dull, drab and dreary, last night's provincial party leaders' debate upgraded the election campaign. Not only was the decision to put the campaign on life support cancelled, it was removed from intensive care and is now in stable condition.
Two seconds after the debate ended, I had an urge to scream: They're alive! 
Yes, the love-in between PC Leader John Tory and New Democrat Leader Howard Hampton was overdone.
Yes, Liberal Premier Dalton McGuinty's whining about how the previous administration saddling him with so much debt forced him to break promises wore thin.
Yes, Green Party leader Frank de Jong was conspicuous by his absence. Whomever determined Mr. de Jong didn't rate a spot on stage should be fired.
For the most part, it was, indeed, a political debate worth watching.
Was there a winner? It depends who you ask.
From my perch, all three did better than expected.
Will the debate impact the end results? Not likely.
Going into this election, the Liberals had a narrow margin. For reasons no one understands, the campaign isn't moving the Grits backward or forward. It means we'll end where we started and elect a Liberal minority government.
Is it a bad thing? It depends on who you ask.

Comments

[missed KO opportunity]

Having watched the debate, I was not impressed by any of the leaders. The answers appeared all scripted and provided very little new information. The best question of the night was the question regarding potential recall legislation, which both John Tory and Howard Hampton dropped the ball on, this was an opportunity for a knock out, to prove there leadership, to support action against politicians when what they claim are broken promises, however all three leaders clearly indicated that they are against recall legislation which tells voters that they are all the same. After a horrible scripted debate, among the three I would have to give the edge to Howard Hampton, however I think Frank de Jong and the Green Party won the debate by not being invited to participate. I wonder if Frank de Jong supports recall legislation?

[Glenn Hubbers]

Since the television executives decided not to invite Frank de Jong to the debate, the Green Party held a debate party of their own.

You can see Frank's responses to all of the debate questions at www.gpo.ca