I’m pretty sure that the debates this week are a waste of money or at least should be. The only reason these silly debates make a difference are that Canadians in general are too ignorant of the different party policies and depend on a couple of hours of listening to our leaders argue to make a decision.

I found it interesting that in one of the post-debate comments on CPAC, one of the commentators stated that Stephen Harper needed to be more forceful / louder when he spoke so he could be heard over the other people that were talking at the same time.

I find this a fundamental problem with the election campaign process. All you hear are the questions and the dull roar in the background. You never get to hear the answers.

I have a solution, unfortunately, it will depend on changes to the way media works during campaigns. First, during regular (non-debate) days, the media should be required to air an unedited two minute press conference from each party that fields candidates in more than 75% of ridings across the country. I’m not voting for the Green party but I feel they should have the opportunity to present their policy to Canadians. There is no reason the Bloc should be given National TV time as they are specific to Quebec. This two minute speech would allow the party to get their policy out without interruption without having to outspend the other parties to air commercials.

Secondly, debates will take on an aquarium feel. Each condidate will be given one of those sound-proof booths that you see on gameshows. The difference for this show is that the goal of the booth is to keep sound from leaving unless the microphone is turned on. This will prevent interruptions. Questions will be asked by the public first. Each leader will be given 2 minutes to answer each question and the question will be viewed on the screen at all times so certain candidates have to answer the actual questions. After the public questions, each leader will be allowed to ask the other candidates a question (20 seconds) and answers can last one minute. To ensure the candidate actually answers the question, the questioner will be given a 10 second period to make a comment.

Final comments will be four minutes each.

As for whether debate should be in French or English, I would say both. Although I would make the transations happen both ways. If the candidate wishes to speak directly to the Francophone population, they may do so with an English translation available.

I would have two debates separated by one week so that the candidates can have time to prepare for both. I would then have two public forums where each party can hand out 100 tickets each. Security would be tight and people not respecting the rules and proper etiquette would not be allowed to stay. Each party would be allowed to choose 5 people to ask ‘leading’ questions of all the parties. Again, the candidates would be in their booths.

This will never happen as long as the media is more concerned about the soundbite than a party’s view on the issues so I’m not going to hold my breath.

Anyways, your comments are valid unless you go out of line then I’ll stick you in the booth.