Watching the debate in French, the big surprise of the first half hour has been the quality of Jack Layton's French: It's much improved over the 2006 debate, and what's particularly noteworthy is his working-class accent.
On the other hand, Mr. Harper's French has not improved relative to 2006; that, combined with the 4 vs 1 attack and a format that has the leaders sitting around a table, means that he is not projecting either strength or confidence.
If you average out tonight's French debate with the expected competence of the leaders in English tomorrow evening, it means that Mr. Layton will end up on top of the linguistic heap, and Mr. Harper and Mr. Dion will end up on the same level.
As to Elizabeth May, she comes off as I imagine Barbara Streisand would if she were speaking French. And, her reference to aboriginals and the other provinces in answering the question about the Québécois nation will not win her many friends.
For me, the best part of the debate was when each of the leaders was called upon to say something positive about the leader to his/her left. It was the only question that caught them off guard. And, listening to them stumble in their answers--be it in their first or second language--I was left with the impression that they are all in politics for the right reason.
