19 May Listen with the sound off

Years ago, a neighbor dropped into Baddeck’s Alderwood Guest Home to visit Dolly O’Toole, a longtime Kempt Head resident who was in her 99th and final year of life. The TV flickered in the background, with the sound off, and at some point the visitor noticed that CBC’s First Edition had begun.

“Do you ever watch Parker debating with Harry,” she asked.

“Oh yes, never miss it,” said Dolly, who lived just down the road from me. She paused before continuing. “I don’t always bother to turn up the sound—but I can always tell who’s winning.”

This is my test for who’s winning a political debate. Voters may or may not be swayed by arguments and debating points, but they definitely tune in to get the measure of the candidates. Turning off the sound offers uncanny insight into how they are coming across.

By that standard, front-runner Darrell Dexter looked better than he sounded tonight, projecting moderate poise and confidence. Rodney MacDonald, too, has gained some measure of poise during three years in the province’s highest office. This was undercut by a tendency to smirk and a habitual lack of warmth. Stephen McNeil’s wiry  glasses added to a bookish appearance. He came off as stiff but genuine, qualities that may not serve him badly.

Nova Scotians remember with admiration another Premier whose initial appearance of stiffness proved to be a mask for rectitude.

Dexter frequently showed irritation at MacDonald, muttering that the Premier was not telling the truth, and knew it. At least it sounded like muttering. Apparently to prevent interruptions, the CBC kept turning off the mikes of candidates who did not have the floor. A mistake, in my view, perhaps required by the rules of the debate.

After one such back-and-forth, host Jim Nunn, who announced his retirement from the CBC tonight, chided all the candidates. “You’re breaking the rules your own parties established for this debate,” he said.

“Not all of us, Jim,” replied McNeil, who played by the rules.

At nine seats, I think McNeil is too far behind to vault into government in this election. But it’s a moment rancor-weary voters may remember.

Enough triviality. Content to follow.