Debates
The first of three candidates' debates occurred in Ottawa on July 26. The second debate occurred in Sudbury on August 17. The final debate was held in London, Ontario on August 30. While the third debate was a restrained affair the first two were marked by clashes between Flaherty and Tory as Flaherty accused his rival of not being a real conservative and being out of touch and elitest.
Final candidate speeches were made at the convention in Toronto on September 17. Flaherty made the unusual decision to actually deliver his speech in his home town of Whitby and have it broadcast live to the convention. This was criticized as being "gimmicky" and reminiscent of the disastrous Magna budget as well as demonstrating a hostility to Toronto. The criticisms of Flaherty's decision overshadowed the contents of his speech.
Read more about this topic: Progressive Conservative Party Of Ontario Leadership Election, 2004
Famous quotes containing the word debates:
“The debates of that great assembly are frequently vague and perplexed, seeming to be dragged rather than to march, to the intended goal. Something of this sort must, I think, always happen in public democratic assemblies.”
—Alexis de Tocqueville (1805–1859)