Harper on Mansbridge

First point: Paranoids stand down. As he was with the other leaders, Mansbridge was probing, persistent, but fair. Second point: The format rocks. The CBC has got this down to a science now: regular folks, with the crazies and axe-grinders screened out. Intelligent, legitimate questions -- though I thought Harper got off a little lightly. Certainly compared to the grilling Martin received. One question I'd have asked Harper: You say you don't support two-tier health care, user fees, parallel private systems, etc. But what would you do if a province, let's call it Quebec, were to propose such a system? How would you enforce the Canada Health Act? Third point: This is the kind of format Harper shines at. He listens to the questions, and answers them (more or less) directly. He knows when to keep it vague, and when to make a show of being blunt ("the short answer is no.") He's thought long and hard about most of these issues, and it shows. Weakest moments: foreign affairs, and vision of the country (the lyric thing). Best moments: Quebec, accountability. Summary: Certainly didn't do himself any harm that I can see. Will probably pick up a few points -- among those who saw the program. Impact on the election overall: minimal to nil.