Monty Python-esque All-Candidates Debate

Here they go again. This week there was a "debate" among local candidates here in Ottawa West-Nepean that was nothing more than a contest between Conservative (Baird) and Liberal (Pratt) candidates to see who can behave the worst. Sounds like they both won.

Their clumsy tactics remind me of an old Monty Python skit. This is the one where a "Mr. Hilter" is running for a council seat (UK version of a municipal election) as the first step to world domination. Hilter, played by John Cleese as I recall, bears an uncanny resemblance to you-know-who, and who, perhaps, did not die after all. In one of his clumsy campaign tactics he gives (shouts) a street-corner speech to a bemused crowd of several passers-by. Circulating through the "crowd" is Graham Chapman dressed as a common citizen but bearing a striking resemblance to a certain former chief of propaganda. As Hilter makes a nonsensical campaign promise Chapman whispers to one of the listeners, "he's right you know."

Unfortunately that's far too similar to what happened at the all-candidates debate. At least those two contendors filled the audience with party shills who would applaud or cheer whatever their candidate said and try to shout down the other candidate. I wonder how many regular citizens were among the 300 in attendance.

Do they honestly believe this crap furthers their causes? All I've heard in response to this event is disgust or disinterest. I suspect only partisans were satisfied with the evening.

These antics make Baird and Pratt look like buffoons. Perhaps that's what they are.