The Leaders Debate looks and sounds much better in 10 second clips. Taken as a whole it was disjointed and without substance for those who hoped to understand the platforms of the parties. Harper caught fellow leaders off guard when he began with a denial regarding the Conservatives plan to decrease corporate taxes.

Ignatieff, Layton and Duceppe engaged with each other while Harper who was positioned on the far left, chose to deliver messages directly to the camera. Since Harper is the incumbent, fellow leaders repeatedly tried to hold him to account, a futile effort. Using the rope a dope strategy, successfully, Harper’s lack of interaction and modulated tones removed the prospects for a knockout. Beyond the strategy of disengagement in the debate, Harper discounted the finding of contempt and avoided responding to any calls for accountability.

Michael Ignatieff raised the issue of Harper’s character. For those who follow Canadian politics, there were no surprises.

In case you missed it you can watch the debate for yourself on CTV website http://ow.ly/4yX3L

Twitter was active across the country. The comments were so frequent it was difficult to follow and interact with fellow Canadians. Calgary did not engage in a twitter discussion, although local tweets did engage in municipal twitter discussion of issues and followed the candidate debates last fall. Our Mayor Nenshi was prepared to engage and interact but even His Worship could not stimulate the Calgary twitterverse. Democracy in Canada is certainly one of the most important issues of our times. All of those participating in this election need to step up our work to engage fellow citizens.

For those of you who don’t follow twitter, here are some of the comments from local reporter Jason Markusoff and Mayor Nenshi and others. My twitter feed is found at http://twitter.com/#!/jcpollock/ 

 KevinNewman_tv Kevin Newman

Debate results/impact settle over time. It takes hours, not minutes. #db8 #elxn41

 MMFlint Michael Moore by Patrick_Johner

140 chrctr CanadianPM debate sumry: Should we b more like U.S.–more guns, less health care? Privatize services? Tax breaks 4 rich? #canusa

 jaypalter Jay Palter

by Patrick_Johner

Leaders’ debates distract us from what our democracy lacks: good policy, accountability & true leadership. #elxn41

 nenshi Naheed Nenshi

@FACLC @markusoff in fact Calgarians send about $10 bn more per year to feds and province then we get back. So, the answer to your q is yes.

nenshi Naheed Nenshi

Ok, I’m a half-hour into the #db8. I officially apologize to everyone who watched the 34 mayoral forums if they were this painful. #elxn41

nenshi Naheed Nenshi

Wow, not a lot of excitement about the debate. Maybe I should catch up on te last few weeks of Idol instead? #elxn41

nenshi Naheed Nenshi

Great United Way event, now I am going to watch the debate. Did I miss anything exciting? #elxn41

colbycosh Colby Cosh by markusoff

So, congrats, Canada, on NOT picking the womanizing jet-set novelist who has 100 awesome literal war stories. Who’d want to drink with HIM?

joeboughner Joe Boughner by markusoff

Ok. Inspired by #db8 and #elxn41, here’s my hastily assembled Canadian Democracy 101: http://youtu.be/qRNuPNGzMrs Hope @kady approves

markusoff Jason Markusoff

…. he asked the twitterverse.

markusoff Jason Markusoff

Has it gotten to point where watching the debate without Twitter or a blog open is on par with listening over the radio? #elxn41 #cdnpoli

jcpollock Jennifer Pollock

Me too #yycCentre RT @anitavandenbeld: Ignatieff defines ballot question – earning the trust of Cdns & respecting democracy, proud 2 B running with Michael Ignatieff #db8 #lpc

jcpollock Jennifer Pollock

RT @voterenee: @M_Ignatieff “I want more health not more healthcare”. #fed2011 #db8 #yycCentre

jcpollock Jennifer Pollock

RT @politicopinion: Harper: “I simply don’t accept the truth”. #cdnpol #db8 #elxn41

jcpollock Jennifer Pollock

RT @Mortgage604: Can’t help but feel that Democracy was broken by not having Elizabeth May #db8 #lpc #cpc #ndp #elxn41 #yycCentre