Quirky body language during leaders' debate sets Twitter alight
'The meme possibilities in this debate are huge'
There were flailing limbs, zippy one-linersand plenty of intense television-camerastare downsasStephen Harper, Tom Mulcair, Justin Trudeau and Elizabeth May faced off in the first leaders' debate of the 2015 campaign.
While the leaders' sparred,people took to Twitter to highlightthe best and worst moments of the debate.
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Almostas soon as the debate began, people started commenting on the leaders' body movements. Many tweeted abouthow theleaders were staring down the television cameras.
Though Harper and Trudeau were alsoguilty of camera staring,Mulcairmight have gotten the most online reaction
The meme possibilities in this debate are huge. Harper's cut-eye, Mulcair's bug eyes. Do your thing, Internet. #macdebate.
—@TeachRandom
Thomas Mulcair has been taught to 'smile with his eyes' And when he does it's terrifying. #macdebate #canpoli pic.twitter.com/ElnyyUwcpk
—@UinvitedU
Mulcair keeps smiling with his eyes and it makes me worry he will strangle me #macdebate
—@markcritch
Others wondered why Trudeau was using his arms to talk so much.
why are trudeaus hands moving so much... he literally looks like he is waving away flies. #macdebate
—@MorganCrockett
#macdebate somebody tie down Trudeaus hands, making me nauseated
—@JosephSears1
Trudeau has been doing to much boxing, he's moving his hands too much #macdebate
—@tehWrightstuff
Harper and'Let's be clear'
Each of the leaders' had signature quips they brought out many times throughout the debate. Conservative leaderHarper is already well-known for using the phrase, "Let's be clear." Some decided to create a drinking game out of it.
And for tonight's drinking game... every time someone says, "Let's be clear" - #macdebate
—@MKutney
"Let's be clear!" #8 Everybody drink! #macdebate
—@WayeMason
That "let's be clear" thing is a real verbal crutch for Harper. #macdebate
—@RosieBarton
"Let's be very clear,'' says @pmharper, ramping up his "let's be clears" #macdebate
—@nutgraf1
Others used the phrase to poke fun at moderator Paul Wells.
Let's be clear...this moderator sounds like a real party animal. #macdebate
—@ChristaMarshal1
May started off many of her rebuttals by saying, 'With all due respect' but Twitter users pointed outthat didn't necessarilymean'respect.'
"With all due respect" = I'm about to insult you. #macdebate #leadersdebate
—@zachristy
Love the line by @ElizabethMay "with all due respect, Mr. Harper" meaning none #macdebate
—@mrdfleming
Trudeau's signature quip:Yelling 'That's not true' several times at Harper. Some thought it was the most heard phrase of the night.
Key phrase of the night? "That's not true, Mr. Harper" #macdebate
—@ShanesaBeach
If I hear @JustinTrudeau say "that's not true Mr. Harper" or "Nobody believes you" once more, I'm moving to Alaska... #macdebate
—@CharterLaw
Most commonly heard statement from #macdebate "That's not true Mr. Harper".
—@A_DoubleB
Mulcairchose to focus on himself. His signature quote was about fighting for Canada 'his whole life.'
Why the "I have fought for Canada" rhetoric, Mr. Mulcair? #macdebate
—@kathleenaikens
"I have fought for Canada my whole life," says Mulcair. #macdebate pic.twitter.com/MjDLggCoPY
—@blinkwriter
There was also a lot of weirddiscussion about the number 9, prompted by Trudeau's response to aquestion from Mulcair about the threshold for recognizing a vote for Quebec's separation.
Number 9. #macdebate pic.twitter.com/gV1KEEEDrG
—@Raging_Fem
TRUDEAU HITS MULCAIR WITH THE NUMBER 9!! #NINE pic.twitter.com/BJsyscY63s
—@Tor_Grit
When Trudeau don't give you his number #9 pic.twitter.com/jb62OLqRQg
—@SafeeyaEf
So what did people think?
Thursday's debate, hosted by Maclean'smagazine,was the first not to be organized by the broadcast consortium, of which CBC is a member. Some liked the debate and the revised format.
Overall #macdebate was quite good. Didn't enjoy everyone speaking over May, and moderation was lacking.
—@parismarx
@MacleansMag great format #Macdebate tonight. It allowed for a good healthy debate. Everyone had a fair shot.
—@Harnettshow
Othersthought it lackedmoderation...
One of the worst debates Ive seen, no moderation, #macdebate not worth the time, Ill go back to watching Futurama
—@phoefgen
This is the worst episode of Jeopardy I've ever seen #macdebate
—@Hutch_Hogan
And Jann Arden just found it downright boring.
Canadian politics- yawn.
—@jannarden