Four leaders bring their own styles to first debate

Longtime political observer Barry McLoughlin weighs in on the first federal debate and the party leaders' styles.

Thestar.com
Aug. 6, 2015
By Alex Boutilier

Thursday night’s election debate featured four party leaders adopting four very different debate styles.

The first debate of the marathon federal election campaign didn’t feature a knock-out punch or clear winner, but all four party leaders can come away feeling happy with parts of their performance, according to consultant and longtime political observer Barry McLoughlin.

Conservative Leader Stephen Harper

“(Harper) is very solid, good tone for the most part. He has a measured pace; crispy responses. He defends a lot, and he has to, but he doesn’t sound all that defensive ... If he continued that, that’s all he really needs to do,” McLoughlin said.

“He has this tightened smile and he starts to point his finger, which probably shows a slight exasperation. I think he used the phrase ‘let me be clear’ . . . at least 10 times, so he’s really trying to be clear.”

NDP Leader Thomas Mulcair

“He’s picking his spots well and he’s using it for his biography. So he’s mentioned many times his experience as environment minister in Quebec ... He’s giving a lot of his bone fides, and he’s doing it very solidly.”

“(But Mulcair wore) an ill-fitting suit. His shoulder is up. It’s odd - his physical relationship to the camera (is) turned slightly to the side. You notice it, but it’s not a killer, it’s just an odd thing you happen to see.”

Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau

“His biggest weakness is he goes too fast, and when he does, he starts getting ums and ahs (in his speech). Although, I have to say, he’s exceeding my expectations so far. He is very solid, very tough on both Mr. Mulcair and Mr. Harper, which he needs to be,” McLoughlin says.

“He over talks and interrupts a lot, and people don’t actually like that very much. He has to learn to interrupt non-verbally through the camera, signaling that you want to come in before you actually come in. He just blurts right in.”

Green Party Leader Elizabeth May

“She’s also exceeding expectations in this debate. She’s giving very strong critiques. She’s trying to contrast it with her own party’s approach, and I think is doing very well,” said McLoughlin.

“She shows a little bit of exasperation with what she’s hearing back from the prime minister. But she’s the only one calling him Mr. Prime Minister, (to) everybody else it’s Mr. Harper ... I think she wants to sound respectful even when she’s being tough.”