Whatever happened to the time-honoured prepping of politicians for Monday’s debate in Toronto? That opening debate was a disaster for all concerned. It is CITY-TV that should be embarrassed. The candidates’ handlers failed to convince their debaters of anything. And the moment is gone, never to be recovered.
It was amateur night at CITY-TV’s Toronto studios. I can remember when Moses Znaimer and his partner launched the casual style of CITY-TV back in 1972 but even that opening was more professional than Monday night. From the inept polling they were doing on social media, to the obviously partisan audience and the confusion of questioners, it was badly done.
Of special note was the moderator who seemed to just be an amused spectator. The event appeared to be taking place in a tiny studio, forcing the three debaters to stand practically shoulder to hairline. The smallest, Ontario premier Wynne, was overshadowed by much larger Doug Ford and the NDP’s Horwath on the other side was a blimp bookend.
And who dressed ‘Bubbles’ Horwath for the event? What could they have been thinking? I have been recommending a personal trainer and a diet for that woman for years. We might as well give up. No amount of haute couture could cover that much flesh. She can waste time going after Wynne if she wants but she needs to stop giggling in the process.
Wynne at least looked like a premier. She was using too premier-like language and was coming in second to the less articulate Ford. She has to talk on his level if she wants his followers to listen to her. She started out being too polite. In the first three-minute free-for-all, Horwath grabbed the lead and would have gone on automatic motor-mouth if Wynne had not finally taken it away from her. Later when Wynne had the impetus, she actually invited Ford to answer. He could not but was quite willing to take over the microphone.
While there might have been some time spent by Wynne’s team, there was no common theme emerging that the audience would remember and pass on to non-viewers. It hardly matters what is said in a debate such as this, it is what is memorable about the event.
And that is what was missed on Monday, there was nothing memorable—except that dreadful outfit on ‘Bubbles’ Horwath.
-30-
Copyright 2018 © Peter Lowry
Complaints, comments, criticisms and compliments can be sent to [email protected]