To Quote Zhou Enlai, "it is too soon to tell".
Zhou Enlai was the right hand to China's Mao Zedong and in the eyes of many, held more power than his Chinese Leader.
His quote was in response to a question as to whether or not the French Revolution of 1789 was a success or not.
Thankfully, we will not have to wait that long to know who won Tuesday's Debate.
But First; my own impressions.
As a Debate, it was a bit of a bust. I'd rank it 5 out of 10.
I would also rank the three participants as follows: Horwath (7); Hudak (6); and McGuinty (5).
Each though came up a winner in their own must do.
Horwath won on the most likable.
Hudak won since he did better than was expected of him (bearing in mind that the bar had been placed quite low).
McGuinty won in that he had an undefendable record and yet came out of the contest still breathing.
In that, I agree with the majority of commentators that there 'Was No Knock Out Blow'.
But dear reader, the above matters not.
What counts here is did the Debate move the levels of Support.
And we will only know that when the first series of polls come out post debate.
Whether you or I thought so and so won - means zip if the viewer, for whatever reason, decides differently.
And, his or her decision may have nothing to do with what was actually said in the Debate itself. If could also be affected by what the candidates wore, how they appeared psychically ...and so on.
Their views can also be formed as a result of post debate media commentary and bear in mind that much of Canada's media, like that in the US, is left leaning.
The other key factor in all of this is the fact that the main two contenders going into the Debate were in a Dead Heat for Lead - 35% each. It will take little movement on the part of voters to break that open albeit even marginally.
So stay tuned - the polls out this weekend will give you the answer to the lead off question.
As I see it...
'K.D. Galagher'
