ANALYSIS: Leaders take different approaches to first debate of the Ontario election campaign
For political addicts, leader debates are like an ice cream sundae with whipped cream and a cherry on top. So even one that was focused on municipal concerns of northern Ontario communities was must watch television on Tuesday afternoon.
Progressive Conservative Leader Doug Ford relied on notes on his podium to get him through the opening and closing statements, repeating the themes of his party’s campaign so far. He opened with his commitment to roads and “saying yes to getting things done for Ontario.” The format allowed only short two minute answers. The time permitted for open exchanges between the leaders were kept limited, brief and left one wanting much more accountability from each of the four about their answers.
Del Duca tried, for the most part, to project an image of leadership. On a number of occasions he opted not to go into “attack mode” and instead offered measured policy statements. Del Duca needs to define himself as someone who can lead the province better than Ford at the same time making the case that he is a stronger option than Horwath.
I reached out to four people working on the campaign regarding Ford’s absence but none chose to get back to me before my deadline.
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