Leslie Young

I’m always really impressed by Gilles Duceppe. He is one smart guy - and not just because of his infallible ability to relate any question to separatism/federalism. He can think on his feet better than any of the other four and he always has intelligent comments to make. He nailed Harper and to a lesser extent Dion nicely on an Afghanistan question.

Duceppe pointed out that Harper blames the Liberals for many of their Afghanistan-related decisions, and holds them to account on them. However, he said, the Liberals made their decisions early on in the mission, and Harper, with the benefit of experience and as he sees conditions deteriorate, continues down the same path, making bad decisions.

I thought that was a particularly good comment, and I don’t think Harper was really able to respond.

Favourite moment of the debate (or of the half I saw):

• Dion turns to Layton and says how the reason Mr. Duceppe will never be prime minister is because of how he makes decisions on Afghanistan.

• The moderator and Duceppe gently point out that he is speaking to Layton, not Duceppe.

• Dion laughs and says yes, he meant Layton, and there is a very different reason why Duceppe won’t be prime minister.

Funny stuff.