debate analysis

Hopefully you caught the debates on C-SPAN in the States or by the usual means in Canada. I missed them unfortunately. I'm curious how much of voters' opinions really come from the debates. In the States, people pay a great deal of attention to the debates because they zone out on everything else.

Stephen Harper had everything to lose in this debate, having three people gang up on him.

One of the issues at hand in the debates was the notwithstanding clause to override individual rights. Prime Minister Paul Martin pledged during the English language debate to amend the charter so the government would never be able to use the notwithstanding clause to override individual rights.

"The courts shouldn't be overturned by politicians," the Liberal leader said in Monday's debate, seeking to highlight his differences with Stephen Harper on social issues.

The social issues reference goes back to the same-sex marriage issue. Some are concerned that Harper will try to change that dynamic if he becomes prime minister. Martin has claimed that Harper, who opposes such unions, would have to use the notwithstanding clause to change the law.

Harper has promised a free vote on the issue if he is elected, but has pledged not to use the clause. Martin asked Harper to join him in seeking to ban the federal government from being able to use the clause. But Harper rejected Martin's offer, saying the charter supports a proper balance between the courts and politicians.

There were discussions about cuts in social services, the income trust affair, contributions to campaigns, gun crime, the influence of America, tax cuts, health care, national unity,

As for the French-language debate, I have to assume the reports I read are correct because my French is not so good. But according to press reports, it was the most personal of the four debates, with leaders making mistakes in their delivery and accusing each other of lying. The debate, to no one's surprise, had a distinctly Quebec focus, with issues such as Meech Lake and distinct society.