Winnipeg Free Press

Winnipeg Free Press (Newspaper) - October 01, 2008, Winnipeg, Manitoba C m y k Page a9 Winnipeg repress. Com politics Winnipeg free press wednesday october 1, 2008 a 9 t Oronto when it comes to attracting voter attention dont underestimate the cringe Factor. The Prospect of a spectacular crash and Burn by u. S. Vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin in thursdays televised debate is too Good to resist for Many canadians even though their own leaders will be vying for votes in a debate the same night say observers. The scheduling of Canadas English language leadership debate had political Junkie Denis Mcgrath ranting Over the boneheaded decision to pit it against the u. S. Vice presidential debate. Despite his ardent interest in Canadian politics he declared he would not be watching the Canadian tussle. Theress no Way in hell ism watching that thing said the Toronto based Mcgrath an american screenwriter with dual citizenship. Compared to the fake Tina Fey is Palin going to be bad is she going to be Good this is actual drama. It kills me again that the United states manages once again to Trump Canada in terms of the great political narratives Mcgrath added. I write something As Wacky As the Sarah Palin Rise to Power and ism looking Forward to that debate on thursday kind of like some people look Forward to a cockfight or a dogfight. Indeed a perverse curiosity seems to pervade much of the Lead up to the Palin showdown in which the Republican alaskan governor hockey mom will spar with the More experienced democratic candidate senator Joe Biden. Many pundits predict a poor showing by Palin who has been skewered on both sides of the political spectrum for her dubious grasp on the issues and was famously mocked in a saturday night live sketch featuring look alike Fey. Still there Are some who suggest the bar has been lowered so much that Palin could do Well against Biden who himself has been known to put his foot in his Mouth when left to ramble. Alternatively Biden could trounce Palin so decisively that he could come away looking like a bully said Mcgrath. Csc to Anchor Peter Mansbridge noted that the u. S. Debate will be the networks biggest Competition for viewers and joked about a touch of anxiety among Csc brass. Were a Public broadcaster so were not fixated on numbers but they re thinking of a split screen that night Mansbridge quipped recently. The election in the states is riveting for All kinds of reasons. No matter who wins its going to be a historic outcome. This one in Canad not so riveting. But not everyone will be turned off by the Homegrown debate said political expert Henry Jacek who nevertheless acknowledged that Public interest in the Canadian election was Likely lower this time around than the last race to the polls two years ago. The addition of Green party Leader Elizabeth May to the table could add an extra spark while a recent surge in support for the a Dps Jack Layton has increased the pressure on Liberal Leader Stephane Dion. For Low interest voters that a vent made up their mind yet i think they re going to really want to look at the performance of Stephane Dion and Jack Layton said Jacek a Mcmaster University political scientist. Despite the huge draw of the Palin Biden face off May urged canadians to pay attention to their own election. Its extremely unfortunate timing May said. Ill do my very level Best to make this entertaining and interesting so that canadians will just say dont touch that dial. Stay tuned to your own election. The Canadian press canadians More interested in u. S. Debate May adds spark but Palin irresistible by Cassandra Szklarski Elizabeth May left says Shell do her very bests to make thursdays Canadian debate interesting but can she outshine train wreck in waiting Sarah Palin a 09_ oct 01 08. Ind a9 9/ 30/ 08 7 56 20 pm ;