Keeping it Real…

The only French-language leaders’ debate goes tonight; the only English language debate airs Thursday: then it’s time for the mainstream media to go to work … promoting the Conservatives, who best represent the interests of their millionaire owners and their multi-million dollar corporations.

So let’s have some fun!  What are your predictions for how they will do this?

Here are my own predictions …made before the leaders even leave for the studio!

After the French debate:

* Watch for news stories/editorials saying Harper’s French was really not too bad,  that he seemed comfortable, held his own very well even in French on the policy arguments against Gilles Duceppe. Some may say he really looks like a leader … although most will hold off on that description until after the English debate.

* Stephan Dion will be described as doing better than he does in English, but still appearing weak and on the defensive .. .a disappointment even in his own language.

* Jack Layton will be praised for coming off relatively  well …. enough to hurt the Liberals, but not enough to hurt the Tories, who are making progress in Quebec against the Bloc. And watch for criticism that he had difficulty explaining how all his programs would be paid for if implemented. 

* Elizabeth May will be described as a non-entity …  her poor French almost making her wish she was NOT invited to be in the debate! 

But it’s after the English debate that the mainstream media will really go to work.

*Stephan Dion’s performance will be pilloried. He will be criticized for looking weak … not appearing like a leader (Get where they are going?) … for even stumbling,  failing to adequately explain many Liberal policies or adequately delineate how they would be paid for in the current economy.  Some may even go so far as to accuse Dion of being out of touch with ordinary Canadians.

* Stephen Harper will “pleasantly” surprise … even be praised for looking generally comfortable, well prepared and very good at explaining his party’s policies … with only some minor criticism of his coldness to make it all look legit … but only he’s the one who will be described as coming off as “a leader”  (Get it,  now?).

* Jack Layton will be praised .. and complimented on his ability to reach out to “ordinary” Canadians (is that us?) … and for having touched some nerves, but then generally discounted as being able to promise the moon, because he has no hope of making government. The true aim of the media praise for Layton’s performance  will actually be to help draw support away from the Liberals, further split the left-of-center vote, thereby easing the campaign struggle for the Conservatives.   

*Elizabeth May will also be praised for having performed well for her first debate and having made some very good points … especially on the environment and issues of transportation and infrastructure. No threat to Harper, of course, but maybe capable of taking a riding or two from the NDP or the Liberals.

Will I be close? Am I too cynical?  Only time will tell.   Do you think the major media have their minds made up … even before the debate?  What do you think they will say .. before they say it?

Let’s have some fun … speculate!