Over next two months I will do my best to provide a sense of what is going on with this year’s Federal Election. Last night Maclean’s Magazine hosted the first of the Leaders Debates. After the first half it appeared to be tie between Justin Trudeau and Prime Minister Stephen Harper, with Thomas Mulcair nipping at their heals if not tied with them. In the end however, it was Justin Trudeau who came out as the winner, followed by Mr. Harper, if ONLY by a slim margin.

Elizabeth May was more like that annoying kid in school. We all had one, the one who was not quite in the circle of friends but who was always the quickest to repeat the groups position and the heckle those who disagreed. In the case the group was the Liberals and NDP. Whenever they went on the attack against Mr. Harper she was always there repeating quips and sounding like she didn’t really belong, she also showed her weakness in public speaking and debating. She could be repeatedly heard saying “with all due respect….” Get a thesaurus.

Thomas Mulcair seemed to tone down his approach and was less confrontational then he usually is. For his first leadership debate, he did very well, he seemed out of place and nervous during the first half but found his footing during the second half. He was able to mount several successful attacks against the Conservatives and Liberals but took more hits then he gave on account of being called out for his apparent support of separatists in Quebec and his stance on corporate taxes and Universal Day care.

Prime Minister Harper was also not his usual, fire and brimstone self. He was much toned down from his usual day to day self, and from previous debates. He successfully stood his ground against multiple attacks and defended his past record and his current plan. He was well briefed with stats and other data to back up is record and to refute the ones that were being thrown at him. With multiple campaigns under his belt he has very little prove and did what he needed to do for this first debate.

The surprise of the night was the young Justin Trudeau, this was his first Leaders Debate and he did extremely well. He came out swinging at all three of the other leaders and was able to maintain his offensive throughout. He was calm, well briefed, had the best image of the four and was well spoken. There was no hint of nervousness or jitters. He was ready for this and it showed. He scored several strong blows against the NDP and the Conservatives, solidifying his and his party’s positions and showing that he belonged up on that stage and on the ballet.

Follow me on twitter @bleachmedic and @greatersudburyonline, you can also check out my posts on Facebook at www.facebook.com/greatersudburyonline and on the discussion page at https://www.facebook.com/groups/746768978743857/ and online at www.greatersudburyonline.ca