Ok, I'm biased, but I finished watching the U.S. VP debate and I thought to myself -- I might as well be watching stump speeches. There was little (if any) direct interaction between the TWO candidates. There was also a limited amount of questions on a limited amount of topics posed by the moderator.
Well, how would you like to see a debate amongst FIVE -- yes -- FIVE leadership candidates for the position of Prime Minister? It can't be done, you say? It will lead to mass chaos, you think? Nothing of great substance will be discussed in such a format?
Think again.
The debate I watched tonight on CPAC (the Canadian version of CSPAN) was riveting, substantive and, did I mention -- amongst FIVE candidates. A Conservative, a Centrist, a Left-leaning pro-labour candidate, a Green candidate and a leader who's party is Quebec-centric. Issues discussed were health care, the economy, taxes, the environment, oil prices, the Canadian involvement in Afghanistan, etc., etc., etc.
I encourage Americans to click on the link below and watch at least a few minutes of this debate. The variety of ideas and interaction amongst all five candidates was enthralling and informative. Questions were asked by average Canadians. The moderator was sharp as a tack and allowed the debate to flow like a clear stream without too much obstruction. And the leaders behaved themselves and were extremely respectful.
In a nutshell, I was proud to see such a forum amongst such a diversity of ideas.
Imagine that. Diversity.
As the moderator said at the end, "This was much better than the Biden / Palin debate." I couldn't agree more.
THE CANADIAN LEADERS DEBATE (VIDEO)