Article content

There were no knockout punches, nor even many moments of high drama. All four participants, paradoxically enough, did themselves some good. But even so, on balance, it was Justin Trudeau’s night.

The Liberal leader came to the first debate of Campaign 2015, staged by Maclean’s and deftly moderated by the magazine’s political editor, Paul Wells, with a clear imperative: he needed to show he could match wits with Stephen Harper and Tom Mulcair and walk away from the encounter, while offering an approach to governing he thinks will appeal to more voters than the other plans on offer. He did that, time and time again. Just by virtue of the fact he acquitted himself honourably, following months of attack ads that billed him as a gaffe-prone bumbler, Trudeau won.

We apologize, but this video has failed to load.

tap here to see other videos from our team. Try refreshing your browser, or Michael Den Tandt: Justin Trudeau ekes out win in leaders' debate with no knockout punches, little high drama Back to video

Mulcair, the opposition leader and the man with the most wind in his sails poll-wise, had a slightly different objective: he came to introduce himself to English Canadians, many of whom don’t yet know him well, as a prospective prime minister, a moderate New Democrat who will not set his hair or the house on fire if he’s given the keys to 24 Sussex Dr. He did that. Mulcair also clearly was trying to, once and for all, put to rest his reputation as having a hot temper. If anything, he seemed preternaturally calm. But he was, certainly, prime ministerial.