Who is the most annoying political leader in Canada? After the wannabe leaders’ debate last week most Canadians have decided the answer to this question is “all of them.” I couldn’t agree more.
Two groups of Canadians were surveyed recently about their reaction to the debates, one in English and one in French. Apparently the results showed our country was thoroughly annoyed by all leaders and in both official languages. Well done, leaders.
Using a specially designed tool known as “Reaction Plus” viewers were shown clips from the debates and asked to rate their emotional reactions to what they saw and heard. They selected from a range of feelings such as interested, happy, disturbed and bored.
The audio and video content was rated on a second-by-second basis so it was easy to determine who said what to confuse, irk or frustrate the viewers.
When the results were tabulated even the experts were surprised by the unprecedented levels of annoyance expressed by both groups. Happiness and satisfaction were rarely mentioned and mostly, Canadians were not amused by the on-stage antics. No kidding.
The business as usual bickering by the Fab Four was annoying. Viewers were particularly annoyed when debaters interrupted one another or made personal attacks or accusations.
Overall Jack Layton was regarded as the least annoying although that isn’t saying much. Even so, some of his one liners were well received by the audience.
Alas poor Gilles Duceppe. His one liners were easily equal to those of his feisty opponent but unfortunately they couldn’t keep him from earning the dubious title of Annoying Man, 2011.
When he boldly proclaimed in English that Quebec should become a separate country M. Duceppe immediately became the most annoying political leader in the country. Somehow I think that was exactly the point he was trying to make.
For his part Mr. Ignatieff wasn’t found to be particularly annoying but he was quite able to match his fellow irritants in general, all purpose annoyance. Many viewers found his performance to be the least effective as well.
Right now you are probably getting a little annoyed yourself just hearing about how annoying everybody thought it was. Just bear with me a little longer. There are one or two more feelings I would like to share.
During the debates the mention of a Conservative majority produced high levels of annoyance and disturbed reactions (most notably among debaters Ignatieff, Layton and Duceppe I suspect). Also, during the French language debate Mr. Harper drew that same negative reaction.
Of all the people involved in the survey only 58 per cent had watched all or part of the televised debate. Coincidentally that’s about the same percentage of Canadian voters who showed up at the polls last time around. The result of this survey doesn’t bode well for the future.
However, it does raise a question about the other 42 per cent who didn’t watch. If you were lucky enough to miss the debates on TV what could possibly convince you to sit down and watch replays of that sorry event? There must have been plenty of coffee and crullers on hand.
I suffered through about half of the English debate before I was annoyed into changing the channel. I understand, accept and agree with the results of the survey.
I was saddened and dismayed by the lack of substance, truth, sincerity and above all the lack of common courtesy. The only Steve who even remotely displayed any Prime Ministerial qualities was the moderator Steve Paikin.
Elizabeth May, count your lucky stars you missed this one.
As the campaign has taken on a very nasty tone in the past weeks and especially since the so-called debate I can really understand why so many Canadian voters have become disengaged from the process. More and more I’m beginning to feel that way myself.
Based on what I’ve witnessed so far, these four angry men have little to offer me, my fellow Canadians or the country as a whole. I keep hoping one of them will rise above the fray and display some true leadership qualities. Gentlemen, is that really the best you have to offer?
Still, for the time being at least, I will hold my nose and try to cast an intelligent vote. It’s a crying shame my ballot will go to the one who annoys me the least.
Once again Canada, choose your poison.
Two groups of Canadians were surveyed recently about their reaction to the debates, one in English and one in French. Apparently the results showed our country was thoroughly annoyed by all leaders and in both official languages. Well done, leaders.
Using a specially designed tool known as “Reaction Plus” viewers were shown clips from the debates and asked to rate their emotional reactions to what they saw and heard. They selected from a range of feelings such as interested, happy, disturbed and bored.
The audio and video content was rated on a second-by-second basis so it was easy to determine who said what to confuse, irk or frustrate the viewers.
When the results were tabulated even the experts were surprised by the unprecedented levels of annoyance expressed by both groups. Happiness and satisfaction were rarely mentioned and mostly, Canadians were not amused by the on-stage antics. No kidding.
The business as usual bickering by the Fab Four was annoying. Viewers were particularly annoyed when debaters interrupted one another or made personal attacks or accusations.
Overall Jack Layton was regarded as the least annoying although that isn’t saying much. Even so, some of his one liners were well received by the audience.
Alas poor Gilles Duceppe. His one liners were easily equal to those of his feisty opponent but unfortunately they couldn’t keep him from earning the dubious title of Annoying Man, 2011.
When he boldly proclaimed in English that Quebec should become a separate country M. Duceppe immediately became the most annoying political leader in the country. Somehow I think that was exactly the point he was trying to make.
For his part Mr. Ignatieff wasn’t found to be particularly annoying but he was quite able to match his fellow irritants in general, all purpose annoyance. Many viewers found his performance to be the least effective as well.
Right now you are probably getting a little annoyed yourself just hearing about how annoying everybody thought it was. Just bear with me a little longer. There are one or two more feelings I would like to share.
During the debates the mention of a Conservative majority produced high levels of annoyance and disturbed reactions (most notably among debaters Ignatieff, Layton and Duceppe I suspect). Also, during the French language debate Mr. Harper drew that same negative reaction.
Of all the people involved in the survey only 58 per cent had watched all or part of the televised debate. Coincidentally that’s about the same percentage of Canadian voters who showed up at the polls last time around. The result of this survey doesn’t bode well for the future.
However, it does raise a question about the other 42 per cent who didn’t watch. If you were lucky enough to miss the debates on TV what could possibly convince you to sit down and watch replays of that sorry event? There must have been plenty of coffee and crullers on hand.
I suffered through about half of the English debate before I was annoyed into changing the channel. I understand, accept and agree with the results of the survey.
I was saddened and dismayed by the lack of substance, truth, sincerity and above all the lack of common courtesy. The only Steve who even remotely displayed any Prime Ministerial qualities was the moderator Steve Paikin.
Elizabeth May, count your lucky stars you missed this one.
As the campaign has taken on a very nasty tone in the past weeks and especially since the so-called debate I can really understand why so many Canadian voters have become disengaged from the process. More and more I’m beginning to feel that way myself.
Based on what I’ve witnessed so far, these four angry men have little to offer me, my fellow Canadians or the country as a whole. I keep hoping one of them will rise above the fray and display some true leadership qualities. Gentlemen, is that really the best you have to offer?
Still, for the time being at least, I will hold my nose and try to cast an intelligent vote. It’s a crying shame my ballot will go to the one who annoys me the least.
Once again Canada, choose your poison.
