Layton finishes off Dion in the debates last night
I thought Jack Layton did a great job last night positioning himself as leader of the opposition. The video below was just a crippling attack on the Liberal leader. Harper held his own, Dion fell flat and the other opposition leaders did well. I agree with the pundits. Nationally only one party is capable of forming government rather minority or majority. This is now a clear race for second place between Dion and Layton with Layton having momentum on his side. NDP should turn this portion of the debate into an ad for the last week of the campaign. With the national race out of reach (pending a major gaffe or miracle), the focus is now in each individual riding. Liberals are fighting for survival while Conservatives are looking for a majority. At this point, I think a majority government would be the best thing for Liberals. A minority will force them to pick a new leader, abstain from votes to avoid an election and likely fight the next election despite being in huge debts as a party and as individual leadership candidates. Liberals are a lot like the Toronto Maple Leafs right now. Accept reality and rebuild for the future. The choice in Newmarket-Aurora is now between a voice in government and a voice at the next Liberal leadership race. I am proud to be voting for Lois Brown - a strong Conservative voice for Newmarket-Aurora.
Best lines from Harper
"It was absolutely an error; it's obviously clear that the evaluation of the weapons of mass destruction turned out not to be correct," -On the Iraq war
"The economic and financial mess in the United States is disastrous; the policies have been irresponsible. We have made very different choices in Canada," -On the Bush administration management of the US economy
"What leaders have to do is to have a plan and not panic. Last night, Stéphane, you panicked," "You came on the set and announced a whole new economic plan in the middle of a national debate." -On Dion's hail mary pass in the French debate where he created a new economic policy on the fly
I also liked Duceppe's line:
"I know I won't be prime minister. And three of you won't be prime minister, either," he said, waving a hand toward Mr. Dion, Mr. Layton and Ms. May. "Some of you know it, but you don't say it."
Finally Layton had the line of the night:
"If you can't do the job of a leader of the opposition, I don't know why you are running to be prime minister,"
