Martin Must Take Chances

In the lead up to any debate, we always hear talk of "knock out punches", but we rarely see it. The last great debate moment may well have been the Mulroney smackdown of Turner. Every since that debate, handlers have gone to great pains to make sure their respective candidates avoid obvious gaffes. The resulting debate performances are often times bland, consisting mostly of shallow retorts and benign exchanges. If Paul Martin hopes to snatch this election away from the Conservatives, he must be a risk taker. With any risky strategy, there is a chance for blowback, but the gains can be substantial.

The dynamic for this debate is interesting, and affords Martin a great opportunity. No longer is Martin the sole prey of the other parties, now the limelight will surely be shared with Harper. The Bloc is confronted with the possibility of Conservative pickups in Quebec, while the NDP are increasingly wary of what a rightwing government will mean. So, instead of three leaders lambasting Martin relentlessly, we could see Harper put on the defensive. Martin can take some cover with his rhetoric and must use almost offensive language to make any impact.

Canadians often say they resent negative campaigns and harsh debating. Martin can't approach this debate with any hesitancy. Martin must frame Harper as an extremist who doesn't reflect mainstream values. When Harper speaks of corruption, Martin must be forceful and use blunt language to show how his involvement has been distorted. When Harper speaks of average Canadians, Martin should remind voters that the current incarnation of Conservativism is the Reform Party in disguise. Martin needs to take chances with his rhetoric, raise the stakes and go for broke. Make it personal, light a fire under the press and force this election to be a watershed moment.

Harper approaches this debate with one goal in mind, emerge unscathed and move towards government. Martin can't allow Harper another opportunity to paint himself as a moderate and must expose him at all costs. If the Liberal handlers insist on presenting a kindly statesman, then Martin has surely lost. This debate must be viewed as a streetfight, wherein Martin may find unlikely allies to derail Harper. A small victory on semantics is meaningless, it must be a passionate, unscripted Martin that reveals his soul to a suspicious electorate.