It's not as exciting as US politics, but meh....

While I was kinda looking forward to watching the American Vice Presidential debate last night.... for the same reasons someone who knows beforehand that an accident is about to take place at an intersection.... I had to pass on the opportunity and watch the Canadian leader's debate (which was on at the same time).

I'm still undecided as to who will get my vote this time around and I wanted a chance to see some new players in the Canadian political debate arena for the first time. Mr. Harper, I'm afraid you won't be getting my vote in this election. Bill C-61 (the Copyright fiasco) was the deal breaker for me, but ignoring the Kyoto Accord and replacing it with bullshit 'intensity targets' had me leaning elsewhere long before. Anyway - back to the debate. It wasn't a surprise that Harper was attacked from all sides. Some pundits claim he weathered the storm and won the debate. I didn't see it that way.

Dion had an opportunity to explain the new Liberal platform, which he did, but not very eloquently. I'm a Liberal by nature and he doesn't inspire me a great deal. Layton made some good points for the NDP, but he just seems too much like a dweeb to make a good Prime Minister. Yes - I said dweeb. Duceppe was his usual Quebec nationalist self, but even he made some points on Harper, harassing him on his manufacturing policy and explaining to Canadians why intensity targets for pollution reduction is smoke and mirrors.

But the person who surprised me most was the new guy ummm woman on the scene, the leader of the fledgling Green party, Elizabeth May. She held her own with the boys at the table and called Harper on a few reality checks regarding the economy, the environment and health care. People seem to forget that the Greens had the Green Shift idea before the Liberals stole it. Anyway, colour me impressed.

What really sucks for me in this election, is now that the right side of the political spectrum has united behind one party, the left side doesn't stand a chance - voters split amongst 3 parties - the Liberals, the NDP and to a certain extent, the Greens. If the left side of the table were to unite and put the best of each of their ideas into a unified party and platform, the Conservatives wouldn't stand a chance, IMHO.