Thread by @ProfSmithSask

Just caught up on the debate and being as objective as I can: 1) Meili looked great, comfortable and on message. Granted that is a little easier as opposition, for a first time debater, there was no fear and he resonated with a comfortable relaxed performance. #skpoli #SKDebate

2) Moe looked less comfortable, but seemed to stay on script and certainly did stay on message. The adjective “strong” got a verbal workout today.

3) On the economy the Sask Party wants its job creation record to be the focus. While governments can’t take credit for all jobs, this record sounds impressive. But one has to question the job policies that led to this growth. Is it low business taxes and low minimum wage? If so

that’s a race to the bottom and not a strong economy. But regardless, that’s the record it wants to send. Meili threw some good points out to challenge the narrative that a “strong” economy doesn’t mean “strong for everyone.

Meili was at his best talking about issues he has spent his career fighting for: health, social services, upstream spending, and doing so in a way that is accessible and genuine.

Moe was less comfortable defending his record on non-economic issues, probably because that has never been something that defined his personal record or his government’s record. Talking up a highly criticized back-to-school plan as a success looked bad;

he looked more comfortable talking about the deficit.

I’m not sure anyone “won” the debate. I suspect if you have followed the leaders, you would not have been surprised. If you are just paying attention and don’t know the two leaders, I can’t think of a scenario where your opinion of Meili is worse. So Meili gets a bump.

Moe’s approval stays the same. He didn’t lose support, but he likely didn’t gain any. For Moe it is status quo.