Swompdonkey

Some improvement: From mediocre to marginal

Lets not kid ourselves. Choosing between these four is a bit like deciding which skin disease you find least objectionable. Still, last night's debate was an improvement over Thursday's snoozefest.

Paul Martin did his usual upbeat peppy routine, which I think actually appeals to some people. Stephen Harper continued to work on his smile, which no longer seems so much like a grimace. Layton did his used-car salesman schtick, reverting to the persona we all find so grating. Duceppe, as usual, was eloquent, even in his second language --what a pity his vision is so at odds with most Canadians'.

Policy? Short on details, the lot of them. The gloves really came off when the subject turned to the US, and Martin came out swinging. He's starting to ease into this tough guy persona he has adopted, and seems increasingly comfortable wrapping himself in the Canadian flag. That's what he did when he launched a blistering attack on Duceppe and his "plans" for another sovereignty referendum.

He also attacked Harper on same-sex, which is definitely the achilles' heel in what has so far been a pretty solid Conservative Campaign. Martin seems to be solidifying his campaign around three themes that are widely seen as being his strengths, in spite of his very pronounced waffling on every one of them in the past:

He will defend the Charter (as opposed to Stephen Harper, who won't apparently, because he has a hidden agenda )

He will defend National Unity in this "referendum election" (presumably with the help of such staunch Federalists as Jean Lapierre)

He will stand up to the US and "call 'em like he sees 'em" (notwithstanding his Government's apparent impotence on BSE and soft wood)

Each of these wedge issues will likely pay dividends for Martin at the ballot box. At least two of the three could have very troubling implications for Canada once the dust settles and Martin is called to account by both Quebecers and our friends to the south.

Pretty short-sighted way to get back into power, if you ask me. But this is PM we are talking about, and we know that, in essence, it is power for power's sake that drives the man.