A political science professor says the debate was a good place for the leaders to show their personalities.
Jim Bickerton, with Saint Francis Xavier University in Antigonish, said that’s a good thing.
Bickerton tells the Hawk, despite that, it doesn’t seem to have had much impact.
“The fact that we’re in the in the middle of the summer,” he said. “Most people aren’t really paying much attention to the campaign, probably working in the favour of the government at the moment.”
Bickerton said, out of all the major party leaders, PC Leader Tim Houston likely benefited most.
He said Houston is the least well known among the leaders, alongside the NDP’s Gary Burrill and the Liberal’s Iain Rankin.
“He certainly showed more passion and energy, maybe a bit too much adrenaline at times, but compared to the other two, especially compared to Rankin, who’s very low key.”
Bickerton said, regardless, it probably didn’t do much to affect the outcome of the generally ignored summer contest.


