As expected, social media was in full use at the Courier mayoral debate last Friday morning at the Mount Pleasant Community Centre. (Nice digs if you haven't been inside the new centre yet.) Those who followed the debate on Twitter know this, but if you want to find out what unfolded, the hash tag for the civic election is #vanelxn. Better still, watch the debate on our website at vancourier.com.
NPA candidate Suzanne Anton arrived first followed 10 minutes later by Mayor Gregor Robertson-both ahead of schedule. I like punctual people.
An energetic Anton arrived, grinning from ear to ear and introduced herself to Courier newsroom faces she was unfamiliar with. I must say the photos we run of Anton in the Courier do not do her justice. Robertson greeted people he knew and then looked a little uncomfortable before going to sit briefly next to Courier columnist Allen Garr. The mayor then also introduced himself to Courier faces he was unfamiliar with, including me. I liked that his "handlers" weren't orchestrating his every move.
As the debate started, I worried if the sound of fingers rapidly tapping out tweets was distracting the candidates. It appeared not to bother them. Or if it did, they didn't let on.
Speaking of not letting on, does anything faze Robertson? While he doesn't appear stiff and can answer questions articulately when keeping to the Vision message, the Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»mayor lacks sizzle. Where is his passion for politics? On every question he answered, he remained emotionally neutral, without the slightest hint of annoyance or joy spreading across his face. My face turns beat red when I feel someone is misrepresenting me because my blood is starting to boil. Is that man simply blessed with an inner temperature gauge that never fluctuates to reveal embarrassment, shame, anger or happiness?
He is an Earthling, right? I like my politicians with honest-to-goodness emotions that I can read. I pride myself on being an adept reader of people's body language and facial expressions. I can't read Robertson-at least not when he's in debate mode. Then again, he might read this and think, "Sheesh, I can't win with these people."
I'd like to see Robertson lose his cool. I'm not asking for f-bombs or fisticuffs or even any mean-spirited comments, but put some fire in that belly already.
Getting back to social media, I discovered that Anton possesses the magical ability to tweet without ever using a phone or a computer. Is she in possession of technology that is so advanced you only have to think and can send out a tweet?
I want some of that.
All silliness aside, I consider ghost tweeters a big no no for politicians. I'm sure it happens frequently, but when you're sitting in front of about 20 people engaged in a political debate and tweets are being sent from your account and it's obvious you're not the one sending them, the optics aren't good. It leaves the individual's followers wondering if any of the tweets are genuine. The last thing a politician wants to do is create any kind of doubt in people's minds. Doubt bad, authenticity good.
As the tweets flew, many of my bite-sized messages based on the candidates' responses were quickly retweeted. The NPA, in fact, was the only party retweeting me. Sigh, doesn't Vision Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»like me? Equally magical is NPA candidate and tweeter extraordinaire Mike Klassen, who declared Anton a winner without even being at the debate. "By all accounts @SuzanneAnton had Hizonner on the ropes at this morning's 1st Mayor's debate. Well done!"
Hold on a minute. I was there and I don't think anyone came out on top. Anton has genuine emotion, but somehow is incapable of using words "Yes" or "No." For example, "If elected, will you allow the expansion of gambling in Vancouver?"
It doesn't get any clearer than that.
If I understood Ms. Evasive's long-winded answer, she is in favour of more slots and a mega casino downtown, if there is public support. Say what? Didn't we go through this already.
I applaud the candidates for keeping the debate civil and respectful, but I have some advice (if I may be so bold):
Mr. Robertson: Put some passion into your politics. The impression you left-for me anyway-is you would have rather been elsewhere. And although you were lucid in most of your answers, a certain spark was missing.
Ms. Anton: If asked a yes or no question, answer yes or no. And stop letting someone else tweet from your account.
Twitter: @HughesFiona
