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Dion criticizes Harper, CTV over interview

JANE TABER

Globe and Mail Update

Latest comment posted at 9:07 AM EST 10/10/08

Liberal Leader says he simply couldn't understand the question, not that he couldn't answer it. ...Read the full article

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  1. Mark S Noel from Canada writes: I saw the interview he was pathetic, it was embarrassing to think some people would vote for this guy to be the Prime Minister. The question wasn't very hard, a soft lob I believe they call it in the media, meant to help Dion into his stump speech. Dion completely dropped the ball.
  2. Greg Van Zandt from Canada writes: Ok, but after it was explained three times he still failed to answer the question. I guess that he would have been paying billions for daycare and kyoto did not fit the answer.
  3. Edward Blitzer from Camrose, Canada writes: 'It was our resonsiblity to show you the full interview.' I doubt that CTV will be getting any more interviews from any of the political parties after this, especially when you say you are not going to air then do.
  4. B M from Barrie, Canada writes: The one thing that surprises me the most is that I thought all questions were vetted by party officials prior to the interview. Parties would never hang their leaders out to dry by going into an interview unprepared. How could he not have understood the question?
  5. B M from Barrie, Canada writes: This wasn't a media scrum or impromptu press conference where a rogue reporter catches the leader off-guard with a tough question. This was a schedule interview approved by the Campaign staff.
  6. B M from Barrie, Canada writes: Edward Blitzer I don't believe the CTV ever said anything about 'not airing' the entire interview.
  7. Armins copy of Swank from Canada writes: And now all of the air is out of this Dion balloon.
  8. Dave Roberts from GTA, Canada writes: Dion couldn't answer the most important question in this campaign. The question was simple enough and Dion just didn't get it.
  9. spicydoc of the spring from Canada writes:

    Dion is now learning why Harper limits his media exposure and tells his people to keep their yaps shut.

    The media are a pack of jackals who pounce on anything that might create a headline or a stir.

    Harper's comment was bland, and simply meant to make sure that everybody would see the gaffe.

    Anyway, Dion flubbed and will have to roll with it.

    What I dislike is the LPC trotting out the 'hearing disability' nonsense. Dion was surrounded by multiple people shouting at each other during the English leadership debates, and heard everything. Besides, the debates were live.

    Playing the 'disability' card is basically suggesting that Harper is a bully who would punch someone wearing glasses (PS--he would).

    Bottom line for Dion--Welcome to the bigs. If you decide to control your media encounters and muzzle your people from here on in, we understand......
  10. P B from Vancouver, Canada writes: Its now obvious to everyone in Canada. Dion didnt have his script with him. Harper for PM - definitely now!
  11. Edward Blitzer from Camrose, Canada writes: B M of Barrie. You should actually watch the video then prior to commenting on it. From 0:48-0:57 the reporter indicates that the 'Liberal party was anxious that this exchange not be broadcast, and initially we (CTV) indicated that it would not be.'
  12. canadian forideas from Canada writes: Every single person taking advantage of a persons infirmity are cowards at best, and should not lead anything, not a business, not a church especially not a country.....
  13. B M from Barrie, Canada writes: It's truly unfortunate but whether we believe it or not, the media is controlling this election. Everyday the internet, newspapers, tv shows, and news broadcasts are filled with every little detail from the campaign. Information that has absolutely nothing to do with the issues or each candidates policies. There was Harper taking his daughter to school...how unfeeling he was for not kissing her goodbye There was clip after clip of each candidate calling the other a liar, or innept, and now this. The media goes out of ther way to create contraversy in this election. Look at the cost of the Afghanisting, the media portrayed it as a make or break issue for the Tories, yet nobody's talking about it today. Earlier this week, the sky was falling according to everyone but Harper, by Friday it's been announced we have the best banks in the land, the stock market has stabilized, a ton of new jobs have been created and the current government is taking steps to ensure our economy keeps ticking along. Just imagine if all we had to base our decision on was a parties political record and their current platform. Maybe Lizzy Mae was right. Maybe we have lost our way.
  14. B M from Barrie, Canada writes: Edward Blitzer, I stand corrected.
  15. a l from Toronto, Canada writes: The interviewer needs English lessons - not Mr. Dion. The question was 'If you were Prime Minister today, what would you have done differently from Mr. Harper?'

    That question would encourage English teachers everywhere to sharpen their red pencils.

    The fact that Steve is using this shows that he is desperate and that he will sink to even lower depths to gain power.
  16. gilles monenemie from Montreal, Canada writes: If harper had difficulty in french interview in the last election, do you think paul martin would have went after him?
  17. Shawn Bull from Canada writes: I could understand if dion did not understand the first time however they did three re-takesand asked him the question 5 times.

    It comes down to Dion was caught flat footed and could not answer the question. To blame it on a hearing imparment is an insult to our interligence. It was a really bad Dion moment.
  18. Non Partisan I AM Canadian from Canada writes: Yes; we certainly need a world leader who cannot understand basic questions from our closest allies and business associates.

    Ummmmm
  19. Jay B from Windsor, Canada writes: Ok, it's been several hours now, when will Dion actually answer the question? I'm sure it has been explained in both French, English and he's probably even seen it in writing... so instead of answering the question, he is attacking the PM and CTV. Another point, Dion said this is normal for interviews to start over and over again. So is it for all party leaders? How many Mulligans does the Prime Minister get? Does Jack Layton get to keep working on his answer in an interview until he gets it correct?
  20. Vern's Stained Shirt from Calgary, Canada writes: So, renowned anglophile Steppon Dedon has an 'inner ear problem'????

    This dork is so out of his league that he really needs to head back to his university this weekend, as his head will be on a platter Oct 16th.

    You Libbies really crack me up. What an ignoramus. Good think Lizzy is running a shadow campaign for him.
  21. B M from Barrie, Canada writes: a l from Toronto, Canada writes: The interviewer needs English lessons - not Mr. Dion. The question was 'If you were Prime Minister today, what would you have done differently from Mr. Harper?' What's wrong with the question? As per my psot above, thsi was a scheduled interview not some off-the-cuff press conference. I find it very hard to believe that the Liberal campaign people had not vetted the questions prior to the interview. If Dion was unprepared, blame his handlers.
  22. c rob from Halifax, Canada writes: YOU HAVE ABSOLUTELY AND FUNDAMENTALLY GOT TO BE KIDDING ME. Seriously, are you kidding me? This demonstrates that Dion cannot be a leader? How in the name of anything sensible does it do that? Murphy asked a question in a truly grammatically strange manner and we are surprised that it is not understood???? Look, I have watched Murphy's interviews and I have not been impressed by his treatment of any of the leaders, nor of the questions asked. It's that simple really. My issue is with CTV. Did they or did they not violate the rules of an agreement? That's what I want to know. Dion ANSWERED THE DAMN QUESTION once he understood it.
  23. Sy Borg from Regina, Canada writes: 'It happens many times . . . that we start we an interview [and] 'oh, there is a misunderstanding, can we start again?'

    'It's not live. We are doing that all the time.'

    Three points:
    1. If it was Harper fumbling in French, the Libs would do the same.
    2. The question was repeated a number of times & by more than 1 person - what if it was a live interview on the world stage?
    3. Its the type question any possible future PM should be able to answer.

    Anyway, Hi Ho, Hi Ho...
  24. PANIC! At The Ice Floe from Ottawa, Canada writes: He didn't understand the question at first and then it becomes obvious that he didn't have an answer.

    So, either the guy couldn't answer the question or he's incapable of comprehending the English language.

    Either way, he is not PM material.
  25. Carl Baldin from Canada writes: Trying to look at this objectively, it was really not that hard a question to answer...it's not a 'hearing problem'. If Dion can't answer this question, how is he going to manage with tough, pressing issues thrown at him everyday as PM!?

    He is a good man, but not up to the job of PM.
  26. canadian forideas from Canada writes: No excuse, any one taking advantage of an infirmity, should be disgraced,
    shunned and reviled!
  27. Ray Crawford from Toronto, Canada writes: The attempted coverup by the Liberals is revealing. First, it suddenly comes out that Dion has a hearing problem; then, it's the noise in the TV studio. Do these liberal humps really think Canadian voters are that stupid? The interview clearly shows that the Dion Liberals have no cogent strategy to deal with the disruption in the world's credit and stock markets. The only plan is to have some sort of vague consultation with financial leaders. That's it. Of course, Dion should be wearing a hearing aid during the aforementioned consultation; and, to be on the safe side, it should take place in a sound-proof room somewhere in the middle of Montana.
  28. Jay B from Windsor, Canada writes: canadian forideas from Canada writes: Every single person taking advantage of a persons infirmity are cowards at best, and should not lead anything, not a business, not a church especially not a country.....

    What infirmity? Dion heard the question, he heard it the first time, the second time, he heard it when his assistant explained to him; and he heard it the third time. As a previous post mentioned, he had no problem in the debates with 4 others shouting and talking at the same time... But in a calm interview where he had 3 chances to start over the interview, (he was even greeted 3 times as if it was a fresh question when it wasn't) he blew the answer because he has none.
  29. Bill Williamson from Canada writes: Whine LIEbies, whine! It was a simple, straightforward question. Your boy is just an idealistic academic doofus....can't relate to simple and straightforward.

    And some people think he should be Prime Minister? What a laugh!

    And, yes, CTV was right to show it, report on it. The man's running for PM! If he's got faults, voters have a right to know about them! And does this doofus ever have faults!
  30. Gerald G from Brampton, Canada writes: I believe it's called 'doing a Zacardelli'. Why did CTV change their mind on broadcasting this? Not explained.

    If May or Harper or Layton were clarifying a French question, I don't think this would have seen the light of day, and rightly so.

    Dion didn't understand the question, he asked for clarification, he got it, the interviewer said fine let's start over; so what`s the big deal?

    Dion answered the question, it's just not on the youtube clip.
  31. Midtown Bob from Toronto, Canada writes: To Mark S Noel et al:
    I saw Dion's interview with Peter Mansbridge earlier in the week. I was going to vote Liberal but SD also dropped the ball with that interview. Too many 'I will not answer that... ' type of answers or completely ignoring the question just to stay on message. PM evening bordered on badgering to try to get a straight answer out of Dion.

    Imagine what bad shape our country would be in if Dion and McCain got elected?
  32. A Chinaman from Canada writes: Dion is very lively in attacking Harper. He had no problem in hearing during the debate. All of the sudden, he has hearing problem, he has not idea and he hesitates. It shows that he has no plan. No plan, period. He is just another empty talker.
    He was completely confused during his interview. He doe not desert to be our PM or even the leader of the Liberals.
  33. B M from Barrie, Canada writes: Wake up people! Everyone of us understood the question. At least admit that to yourselves. I'd go as far as to say each one of us has some idea, no matter how off the wall, as to how we would have handled the problem if we were Prime Minister. Lord knows there were enough posts from armchair PMs the other day telling us waht should have been done. As I've said before, this was a scheduled interview. Dion's people had seen the questions and should have prepared their Leader better. If you want to blame someone, blame his handlers. Now, to make matters worse, they (the Liberals) are trying to play the sympathy card by blaming it on his hearing...shame, shame, shame. This man will do anything, promise anything, and blame everyone in order to get elected. It truly disgusting politics. He know's his job's on the line here, he's not that stupid.
  34. Shawn Bull from Canada writes: Tom Paine:'If you were PM today what would you already have done?' How could anyone already have done something as of today?
    -----------------
    Tom, can you honestly say that after repeating the question 5 times on 3 seperate takes Dion stil could not understand? He had no answer. End of story.
  35. James Cyr from Balmertown Ontario, Canada writes: Dion could not answer the question because he could not understand it. This is not surprising, given the apparent illiteracy of the questioner.
  36. Alpha Sigma from Canada writes: a l from Toronto, Canada writes: The interviewer needs English lessons - not Mr. Dion. The question was 'If you were Prime Minister today, what would you have done differently from Mr. Harper?'

    That question would encourage English teachers everywhere to sharpen their red pencils.

    The fact that Steve is using this shows that he is desperate and that he will sink to even lower depths to gain power.

    I find this gaffe more relevant to this election than a plagiarized speech from 5 years ago while Harper was leader of the opposition...who exactly is grasping at straws here?
  37. Counterspinner tells the truth from Canada writes: Did he have a hearing problem in the debates? No, don't think so..... obviously, dion can't answer a simple question to an issue that he is making a major issue in this election..... what a simpleton! He won't fool intelligent, educated voters - that's for sure. This brings up the burning question - why didn't the moderator ask dion this during the debates? I guess only easy questions were given to dion....
  38. My Girlfriend Stole My Prius While I Was Doing Coke from Canada writes: What would you have done differently?

    That was the question. He couldn't answer it.

    Liberals deserve a better leader than this.
    And god help Canada if Dion is ever made Prime Minister.
  39. Ted Harrison from Canada writes: I'm guessing that if he thought they were going to air rough takes he wouldn't have stopped, but simply assumed what was being asked and answered that. But the guy likes to be precise. I like that he is thoughtful - I personally don't think we have enough of that in many of our politicians. Not only that, Dion did restate the question correctly initially - if he was PM 2 1/2 years ago. Why did the interviewer not simply say, yes, 2 1/2 years ago? Dion appeared only to want to make sure the parameters of the hypothetical were clear, which is pretty reasonable since we're talking about an invented situation. This kind of interest in properly understanding a situation before running off at the mouth is a good trait, in my books.
  40. Shawn Bull from Canada writes: Harper can't be trusted from Canada writes: CTV Globe Media has PUBLICLY declared that they 'endorse Harper'
    -----------------
    So has the Toronto Sun, The National Post and the Economist magazine. The only newspaper not to endorse Harper is the Star and I think we all know who they are going to support.
  41. D Le5 from Canada writes: Wow we should simply halt the election now and hand it to Harper.
    Dion was doing a pre-taped interview..he stumbled and since it was not live kept asking to redo the shot. Seems underhanded to air such footage (CTV being sooo unbiased) - making news not reporting it.
    Dion admits he misunderstood the question in the interview. Stop the presses!!!
    Had this been the CPCs the cries of 'biased liberal media' would be top and centre.

    Grasping at straws over a minor flub. Good luck with that
  42. edda eisele from Canada writes: Dion could not answer a simple question? Now he is playing his being a bit hearing impaired? Can anybody imagine what would happen to Harper if he behaved this way? Dion heard the question there is no doubt about it, he just could not give an intelligent response. Pathetic.
  43. Skeptical Realist from Canada writes: Setting emotion aside, one has to wonder what would have happened if Harper was conducting a French interview on a French TV station in Montreal, and the same thing happened. Let's be clear, that interview, in its entirity would have been played over and over again on national TV, and it would be on youtube in seconds. All the other leaders would then be saying, en francias, that Harper cannot lead the country because he has troubles in French. This has nothing to do with a hearing disability. Dion did not understand the question, and if you look at the entire video you will see that he never did in the end. He was asked the question several times by the interviewer, and you can also hear someone (presumeably from his staff) tried to clarify things from the sidelines. He is running for the job of leader of this nation, not the leader of the Parent Teacher Association. He has to expect that blips like this will be seen as news. Suck it up princess.
  44. Blaque Jacque Shallaque from Canada writes: The only discrimination Dion is suffering from is the discrimination of low expectations.

    If Harper had made these kinds of gaffes, in French or English, it would have been the end of him.

    But then, Dion is not selling competence. He is not selling calmness. He is not selling leadership. He is just trying to sell the 'Liberal brand' whatever that is, and his taxation plan.

    No thanks, sir.
  45. John O'Cauley from Edmonton, Canada writes: I will probably not be voting Liberal but this interview and its handling has definitely turned me off Harper. I've seen the video and it really is not indicative of anything. These kinds of character attacks are reminiscent of the Reform Party when commercials made fun of Chretien's accent. When talking about takes 1,2,3,4 Harper should be answering why none of MPs speak to the media or why he doesn't have the courage to go on Your Turn with Peter Mansbridge or any other format where Harper would be forced to answer live questions from the public or might have to answer questions on his feet. If an interview was not being done live I don't see the big deal why anyone might take a few tries. If Harper had to answer in his 2nd language he might take a few tries too. I think this situation has really left me with a bad taste for Mike Duffy and Harper.
  46. Shawn Bull from Canada writes: Allison Sinclair from Toronto, Canada writes: There is a positive angle to this. It shows the Tories are absolutely desperate and are now stooping to Republican smear tatics to pull off a win. Sure sign that Harper's a loser, I'd say.
    ----------
    You mean like in the US when Republican Sarah Palin had a bad interview with Katie Couric and the Liberal opposition was relentless in their attack on her. You mean those horrible republicans?

    Dion could not answer the question.
  47. B M from Barrie, Canada writes: Typical Liberal mentality...blame everyone but yourselves for your mistakes. So much so that it's carried over to the Liberal supporters. Blame the question, blame the reporter, blame the CTV, blame his hearing, blame the language, blame Harper. Why is it everybody's fault but their own? This is the true Liberal strategy, finally laid bare for all to world to see. How absolutely pathetic. Your Leader screwed up, admit it, accept it and move on with your campaign.
  48. Cliff Gaetz from Canada writes: So...now Dion is atating that this happens all the time.
    How many left wing media outlets have also done retakes because Dion isn't able to answer a question.
    It is very easy in life to complain about the job others are doing as Dion has done for the past (2) years. It is another to be pro-active and make decisions as Harper has done.
    The odd thing about this interview is that Dion heard every other question...he simply had no answer for an unrehearsed question that required leadership...he didn't know what his handlers wanted him to say...hence no answer...and even after all the stoppages, he provided no direct answer...only some no-answer about meetings.
    No rather then accpet responsibilty as leader do...his team has gone on the offensive against the media.
    NOW...the important question to ask here is this...what kind of public reaction would there have been if this was a Harper interview...think about that for a second....
    The Left Wing media in this country would have denigraded him for years...now...why is the reaction to this not as strong....
  49. Ted Harrison from Canada writes: The Toronto Sun, The National Post and the Economist magazine are all pretty far right in their editorial stances. It's no surprise who they support. It would be surprising if they backed anyone else. Partisan media politics are alive and well. And the Economist is British - frankly I'm not going to base my Canadian vote on the preferences of a right wing British magazine.
  50. John Harris Stevenson from Ottawa, Canada writes: I think it's pretty clear what the corporate side of the CTV, the same company that owns this newspaper, wants to see on Tuesday: a Conservative victory. Not because it's good for the country, but because it's good for the corporation. In the face of a global economic collapse and environmental crises, this election is now little better than what is happening in the US presidential contest. Knowing that they are promoting policies that have already failed, the Conservatives fall back on false controversies and political attacks.
  51. Bosco . from Toronto, Canada writes: This was a fair question. Both Dion & Layton have hammered away at Harper's performance up to know as PM.

    So a simple question, 'what would you have done'? Duh.....

    This should be something that both he and Layton should be saying anyway, rather than just firing criticizm. They should both be saying I would have done this......

    If he gets elected who gets to prep his answers for questions, maybe that's the person who should be running.
  52. On-Line Reader from Canada writes: I always wondered if the 'C' in CTV didn't stand for 'Conservative'.

    Those with slightly longer memories than the media will recall the infamous interview in the 2006 election when Mike Duffy shouted down a Liberal aide who said he didn't want to talk about an 'over the top' TV ad they had produced and decided not to run.

    Unfortunately our elections are getting more and more like the U.S. elections all the time. Never mind the important issues, lets focus in on what the TV images look like! And I think CTV is leading the charge.
  53. Greg Out West from Canada writes: canadian forideas from Canada writes: Every single person taking advantage of a persons infirmity are cowards at best, and should not lead anything, not a business, not a church especially not a country.....
    ---------------------------------------------------------------
    It doesn't take away the fact thar dion should not be governing canada.
  54. Joe Canadian from Canada writes: Oh come on - if he couldn't understand the question - how could he possibly have answered it. At the level of government and you want to be PM you gotta be better than this. Too bad if some are taking shots at him - the liberals are past masters at publicly ridiculing other candidates.

    Conservatives are still the best choice.
  55. a l from Toronto, Canada writes: CTV will sacrifice journalistic integrity if its owners order it. Plain and simple.
  56. Darren In TO from Toronto, Canada writes: Question: Do you know what you hear when you see Dion trying to downplay this?

    Answer: Violins

    The man jumped on every opportunity to critcize Harper over how he is singlehandedly handling the entire world's credit crisis, yet the man doesnt have a plan except to make a comittee and wait 30 days????
  57. David Gehring from Kingston, Ontario, Canada writes: The question could have been reworded to ask 'if you had been elected Prime Minister 2 and half years ago, what would you have done...' instead of 'if you were Prime Minister today, what would you have done 2 and half years ago...'. I can see how this would have confused anyone whose second language was english, and only a passable english at that, although normally these questions are vetted through the candidate's staff before the interview is even held to avoid these stumbles. Dion almost had it right on the first attempt though, normally politicians reframe the question to fit their prepared speaking points. He should have simply said that the past can't be changed and here's my plan to address the future. Funny to watch nonetheless.
  58. Bruce Gerrard from Toronto, Canada writes: “In what is the first credit-crunch election in a big Western country, Mr. Harper's ejection would set a dispiriting precedent that panic plays better politically than prudence,&8221; the The Economist editorial says.
    I sure hope that the Chicken Little's do not win the day here. I still hold high hope for the Canadian electorate that they will give the Conservatives a Majority to govern and steward our economy and country through these difficult times.
  59. Bob Lawblaws from Canada writes: Typical 'Mike O'Duffy Factor' tactic - CTV is being highly unethical in releasing pre-interview tape to the Conservative party - tape that they initially agreed not to release as it wasn't part of the interview once Dion had asked to restart the interview.
    I'm sure that there have been many cases where Harper has made mistakes and restarted interviews and CTV did not release this tape to the Liberal party.
    In this case, CTV shows very clearly their partisan stripes and are complicit in the 'got you' journalism that they claim to hate.
  60. Homer S from Sprinfield, Canada writes: Dion for Prime Minister??????? People, wake up - give your heads a shake.
    Couldn't make a decision if his life depended on it. A simple, hypothetical question was put forth to him, and the look of a perplexed, confused individual was quite evident. For whatever reason, after repeated efforts to try and help, he still failed to answer the question. People, forget about what the CTV said or did not say(I think it was the right decision to release this). The bottom line is Dion, if elected, would look like a weak and confused leader on the international stage.
  61. Jake The Snake from Canada writes: Afterall what is the worse that can happen under a Harper government for CTV-Globe Media? Cuts in funding to the CBC. That would be devastating.
  62. Jay B from Windsor, Canada writes: So when the Media asked Harper about the falling value of the TSX and how he could comfort worried investors, he mentions that there are buying opportunities (fact) and the Libs say he is out of touch and insensitive. The Libs twist the response to make it look as if he's giving stock tips to the unemployed when he was asked about comforting investors about falling stock prices. How many 'do-overs' was the PM allowed to have?
  63. Shawn Bull from Canada writes: Ted Harrison from Canada writes: The Toronto Sun, The National Post and the Economist magazine are all pretty far right in their editorial stances. It's no surprise who they support. It would be surprising if they backed anyone else. Partisan media politics are alive and well. And the Economist is British - frankly I'm not going to base my Canadian vote on the preferences of a right wing British magazine.
    ----------------
    The point being Tom is, nobody has publicly endorsed Dion.
  64. Peter Werry from Calgary, Canada writes: Interpreting this is hard, but I think we can rule a few things out:

    1. Dion's impairment was not a factor. His impairment makes it difficult for him to decipher individual sounds from collective noise. There was only one voice asking the question.

    2. Dion apparently understood what was said, but perhaps was confused about the apparent mix of past and present participles in the question. This is understandable given that in English prose, it is proper to avoid this grammatical error. However, in spoken English, it often passes.

    3. Of all the interpretations of the question, we should expect that our leaders pick one of those interpretations and give an answer. It shows decisiveness. I think it was fairly obvious from the context that the question was raised that the interviewer was asking 'If you were in Stephen Harper's position what would you have done differently'. It's practically a gift of a question, setting Dion up to launch an attack against Harper. The interviewer just didn't want to seem like he was setting that up.

    I think the objection I have personally about Dion's response was less about the odd question and more about how he went about handling the confusion. He reminded me of some of the more abrasive academic types I encountered in my university years: People who are no doubt very intelligent, but lack any real leadership qualities.
  65. A Smith from Canada writes: I watched the video. He clearly heard the questions and the interviewer, so this has nothing to do with his hearing impairment. The question was clear. I understood what the interviewer was asking. Clearly Dion either didn't understand English or he didn't have his scripts and teleprompter. It's hard to say which one. But I think he didn't know how to answer the question. I was going to vote ABC, but clearly I am now voting NBC because Harper is the only decent leader running in this campaign.PS if you think English doesn't matter, then do you think Quebecors would vote for a candidate who couldn't understand questions in French? Most definitely not. It is very important.
  66. The Real PS from Canada writes: Tom Paine from Don't let Harper kick you when you're down - VOTE STRATEGICALLY - www.voteforenvironment.ca, writes: Notice the italicized words:

    'If you were PM today what would you already have done?'

    How could anyone already have done something as of today?
    .
    Because, Tom, as you grasp at straws, the question inferred that if he was PM today, he also would also have been yesterday and the day before.
    .
    Here's the problem Tom, suppose this had been the 'real world' and Dion was negotiating something critical for Canada, how many times do you think a foreign leader would rephrase the question
  67. Derek Holtom from Swan River, Canada writes: Harper has been critical of the media in the past, and many posters on here have said he's complaining for no reason.
    The situation appears to be reversed. Dion doesn't sound very PM like opening complaining about the CTV - especially when he did it on the CBC, the biggest Liberal boosters out there.
    Dion would have been better to not talk about it ever again. Now it's in today's news cycle, and it will be aired yet again.
    He bombed, pure and simple.
  68. Jimmy Kingcan from Toronto, Canada writes: Watch Jack move to the front while the toddlers squabble.
  69. Alice Shiv In from Toronto, Canada writes:

    D'Yawn is a joke. It's a simple question: 'If you were Prime Minister, what would you have done differently than what Mr. Harper has done?'

    The reality is that D'Yawn is an empty suit and had no answer. When he criticizes Harper he is only repeating what his LieBeral spin doctors are telling him to say.
  70. Nick K from West Coast, Canada writes: After the endorsement yesterday their media is now clearly biased. All interviews like that have restarts and it was quite convenient that Harper had enough time to hear about it to delay his flight to comment on it immediately.

    Anyone who speaks English as a second language, or those that have been around someone who has, would realize that the question wording wasn't clear and you can tell that by his responses. Listen to the time framing of the question. All the party leaders are probably tired as hell campaigning. Yes he fumbled a question from one reporter but there was an agreement to start again. It's just a clear example of how the media are trying to direct the election. If we were on track to a Majority Conservative government, they also wouldn't have shown this because they wanted to divert us away from it. Now they are scared now that Dion actually might get in as PM and that isn't quite how they want to spin it.

    Regardless this is a minor issue. He's out there doing interviews and taking off the cuff questions all the time. Harper isn't and is telling CBC how they will conduct their interview with him, along with telling his candidates to not attend their all candidates debates.

    Dion will listen, act and work with people. Harper will do whatever he thinks is right and the country can be damned.

    And remember, why are we even in this election anyways? Didn't we break a piece of legislation or something that the conservatives put a non-confidence motion on?
  71. Dan Shortt from Toronto, Canada writes: I think the question was awkwardly worded to start with, and that might have been part of the problem.

    I also think that if Stephane Dion has a hearing problem, it's time for him to think about getting a hearing aid.
  72. Lection Fever from coast to coast in, Canada writes: He STILL has no sensible answer to the question.

    He's an anchor.
  73. stan thomas from Toronto, Canada writes: Let me get this straight. He understood all the questions during the 2 debates. But when asked 3 times, the same question in the interview, all he could do was recommend his 30 day review and babble on about nothing. Its funny after all that he still couldn't figure it out and had to have his assistant come explain it to him. Luckily he's not making any decisions for this country and rightly so.
  74. Silent Majority from Canada writes: Dion steps up to the plate and strikes out; back to the farm team for you. Dion is totally out of his league.
  75. Steven Koning from Bloomfield, ON, Canada writes: Dion never did answer the question, the whole 'mis-hearing' ruse is just mis-direction from that simple fact. Dion fooled many with his Kyoto non-performance, but as has been said: 'You can fool all Canadians some of the time and some Canadians all of the time but not all Canadians all of the time', and Dion Quixote's time is up. On October 14 watch how the fertilizer hitStephane...
  76. WC Mitchell from writes: B M from Barrie, Canada writes: The one thing that surprises me the most is that I thought all questions were vetted by party officials prior to the interview. Parties would never hang their leaders out to dry by going into an interview unprepared. How could he not have understood the question?

    ------------

    B M, as I understand it only Stephen Harper has to vet all the questions that reporters ask him. A case in point is the set of interviews that CBC Newsworld held with each of the party leaders where only Harper refused to take unscripted questions from the Canadian public.

    The sooner Harper is removed the better for Canada so remember A B C 'http://www.voteforenvironment.ca/'
  77. c rob from Halifax, Canada writes: Did the CTV renege on what it agreed to? Did it? Answer the question please.
  78. Fall of Discontent from Ottawa, Canada writes: Dion is a complete FOOL.

    I watched the interview and then my daughter in grade school watched the interview. She wondered how anyone could not understand the question! It was simple English. No accent. It was clear.

    Any potential world leader who meets Dion will see the tape and laugh in his face.

    What a joke.

    I said that the Libs should have picked Ignatief instead. LOL
  79. Lection Fever from coast to coast in, Canada writes: Ted Harrison 'the Economist magazine [is] pretty far right'

    Really?

    It doesn't seem that way to me, can you make a case for this assertion?
  80. stan thomas from Toronto, Canada writes: Hearing aid, good idea. Unfortunately he's too indecisive to realize he needs one.
  81. Greg Out West from Canada writes: J L from Toronto, Canada writes: What's wrong with these losers running the Conservative campaign? Were they dropped as children? Did someone beat them everyday until they were 10? I just don't frickin get... how in the heck will such a stupid tactic help them?

    This is a pathetic non-issue!!!
    --------------------------------------------------
    I'm sensing some anger from the liberals as they see things slipping away. As for the question, plain and simple dion didn't have an answer so he played dumb. With all the yelling from dion about the economy you'd think he would have has an answer ready as you knew that someday someone would ask you what you'd have done differently. What a simplton.
  82. Sassy Lassie from Canada writes: Dion states Harper has no class, translation we the unwashed masses are to stupid and to poor to have an opinion that isn't state approved. Glory be for the CHRC shall show us the way to elitism. Sorry Mr. Dion but Class hasn't been an issue in Canada since we all are suppose to be equal in the eyes of the law, talk about a Liberal Elite Autocratic slip of the tounge.

    Dion has been standing before MSM for a week spreading lies and causing investor panic with his fear mongering and when given a chance to articulate the Liberal's Plan for the economy he can't answer the question coherently. So his solution to a crisis he invented is to hold a meeting with Prime Ministers (who knew we had more than one) and discuss a crisis he has no plan for.

    The Liberal Elites are finally showing their snotty high brow colors, we the dirty uneducated little people should really shut up and let our intellectual and financial betters in the Liberal Party lead us into poverty right?
  83. Addie Bundren from Canada writes: 'Canadians should weigh their vote carefully over the Thanksgiving turkey this weekend, Mr. Harper said warned, saying that Mr. Dion's refusal to delay his carbon-tax ...' Perfection would be nice, but I'll still read the Globe.
  84. Kay A from Canada writes: Oddly enough none of you saying it was a simple question seem to be able to quote the question correctly yourselves.
    Because it wasn't a simple question...it was very badly worded and confused tenses.
    Steve Murphy has just lost his chance for Lloyd's job that's for sure.
    He has a lovely speaking voice but low timbre is close to a mumble if you are not familiar with it (as I am...years of listening to him).
    I had always held the NS news productions in high esteem and thought they were a lot better (production values, news anchors) than the other provinces I have lived in...but this is a disgrace.
    Obviously Steve Murphy does not endorse M. Dion and let his personal feelings dictate his decision to release the out-takes. I guess they can toss that 'news you can trust' slogan out the window.
  85. canadian forideas from Canada writes: Cowards usually use tricks, like deception, to achieve their goals..
    Dion answered way more complicated questions, it is a ruse that is back firing big time, continue to expose yourself as cold hearted, and go nowhere......
  86. Prairie Boy from Canada writes: I saw the interview. Mr. Dion was asked the question three times. It was explained by a L sidekick. First he started to answer then said he never got it. When he did try to answer it he never had an answer.

    Whatever Mr, Dion's problem is, what was demonstrated was not something that would inspire me. You may not comprehend for whatever reason you choose but we do not need a leader that can't comprehend for whatever reason. A crisis doesn't care if you are affirmative action or not.. it is still a crisis and I would sincerly hope the PM could deal with it. If you were PM, what would you have done differently than PM Harper about the economic problem? Not a tough question to me.
  87. Alan Burke ClimateChange.dynalias.com from Ottawa - Support our troops - wear red on Friday, Canada writes: Earlier 'a l' said:

    ' The interviewer needs English lessons - not Mr. Dion. The question was 'If you were Prime Minister today, what would you have done differently from Mr. Harper?'

    That question would encourage English teachers everywhere to sharpen their red pencils.     '

    So let me ask, what specifically do you object to in the question? Is it the use of the subjunctive mood to express a hypothetical situation in use of the word 'were'? The same mood exists in French, probably more that it is used in English.

    Is it the conditional expressed by 'would'? Also quite clear in French.

    Please tell us what was wrong with the question (according to your red-pencilled English teachers) and why one who knows both languages would have difficulty in understanding the question. A 'hearing' problem just doesn't cut it.

    If you had been the interviewer, hypothetically, how would you have expressed the question differently? If you were now the interviewer, how would you, retrospectively, have chosen a different phrase, coming into the interview?
  88. Percy from NL from Canada writes: One leader is a media control freak and wants every possible question in writing before he will answer. He also puts a gag order on MP speaking to the national media during the election. And CTV considers this video of Mr. Dion misunderstanding a question to be news, particularly with what is happening right now in our financial lives? I can hear the backfire all the way out here on 'The Rock'. Truly pathetic journalistic principles, encouraging media control by our politicians over openness.

    As for the Conservatives reaction ... now there is desperation!!!
  89. paul gilliam from Gatineau, Canada writes:
    What a train wreck. CTV had no choice but to air the mistakes. When the 'would-be' Prime Minister can't answer a simple question, THAT IS the news!
  90. Lection Fever from coast to coast in, Canada writes: c rob Did the LPC renege on what it agreed to when it promised things to Canadians (GST, Freetrade, etc, etc, etc...) Did it? Answer the question please.
  91. Sweeney Todd from Oilberta, Canada writes: a l from Toronto, Canada writes: The interviewer needs English lessons - not Mr. Dion. The question was 'If you were Prime Minister today, what would you have done differently from Mr. Harper?'

    That question would encourage English teachers everywhere to sharpen their red pencils.

    ===========================================

    So, if the question that was asked was perfectly correct, from a grammatical standpoint, Dion WOULD have been able to answer it? C'mon...

    The interviewer isn't running to be leader of the country. Dual passport/Green Shaft/Kyoto boy is.
  92. joe schmitt from Canada writes: English is the language of commerce and negotiations world wide. Do we really want some buffoon as PM who can't answer a simple question such as that? This country can not afford another French lawyer from Quebec whos solution to the economic crisis is to implement another tax?!

    On a side note and putting the stupid Language Act aside, why do we devote 50% of debates, airtime, speaches, etc to French when only 10% of Canada's population speak it as a first language?

    How can anyone vote or endorse a fool that can't understand and speak the language the other 90% of us in this country do?
  93. Don M from Canada writes: Most of us know that if Dion becomes PM we will be back into spending and Quebec, Quebec, Quebec. When asked a simple question, (over and over again) and get that response, who has to think twice. We may not need a Harper majority but we most definitely don't want Dion to lead this country at this time.
  94. Anthony Prokopchuk from Winnipeg, Canada writes: Way to keep up the Conservative spin G&M. Maybe you should start writing your own stories and not plagiarize the National Post.
  95. Fall of Discontent from Ottawa, Canada writes: Who was Dion's advisor for the interview? Perhaps they should run for dear leader instead!

    Will Dion be continuing to ask over his shoulder a repeat of the question everytime someone asks him something?

    Dion was looking right at the fellow, less than 3 feet away. How could anyone NOT hear or understand, unless they really don't comprehend English?
  96. mike rii from toronto, Canada writes: Wow let's put this idiot in the international arena. He can ask different representatives around the world for a 'do-over'.

    PMs dont get 'do overs'. This guy can't even communicate with 85% of the Canadian population. Duceppe has a better grasp of the English language and he wants nothing to do with English Canada.

    Why people would vote Liberal in this election is beyond me. We're on the brink of a global depression and you want this guy in the driver's seat? Buckle your belts and put on your crash helmets, if you get your way.
    • Posted 10/10/08 at 10:08 AM EST | Alert