From the daily scrums after Question Period, here is Bloc Quebecois Leader Gilles Duceppe on Prime Minister Stephen Harper's performance Saturday night where he sang the Beatles' “With a Little Help From My Friends”
Reporter: What did you think of Stephen Harper's performance at the NAC Gala?
Duceppe: Well, I think he was a good singer. And now if he could start answering questions in the House he could be a good Prime Minister. It's not the case yet.
Reporter: But how do you think Quebecers will take to that?
Duceppe: Maybe he should go to Canadian Idol!
– my translation from French to English follows —
Reporter: But this is a man denigrated those who attended galas during the last election?
Duceppe: I think it's late for him to catch up. He can not fool people. It's one thing to go try to present a good image. It is another thing to have policies that go against culture….
–end of my translation —
Reporter: Do you think that playing a piano and singing a Beatles' song helps?
Duceppe: I don't want to discuss his musical talent. : I mean if he wants to dance next time, let him dance.
Reporter: As a strategy?
Reporter: Do you dance?
Duceppe: In private. But I'm in politics. I'm not a singer.
Reporter: His stand on arts and culture in the last election –
Duceppe: I mean that doesn't change an iota to what he said before and what he's doing now. I mean a lot of people could have talent and it's not the same as having policies and having – developing good strategy for culture all around.
David, Could you also please post Jack Layton's comments. I saw a brief clip on CTV where he congratulated the PM on his performance, and talked about how nerve-racking it is for a “private” performer like the PM or himself to appear in public.
It's probably the most generous I've ever heard Layton being about any of the other leaders, and shows a much nicer side to him than I ever suspected. Particularly compared to Ignatieff's rather mean-sounding comments.
Thanks.