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On
Wednesday night the five candidates vying to succeed Mike
Harris as leader of the Ontario Progressive Conservative
Party squared off in a debate televised province-wide
by CTV. Just as Jim Flaherty's ideas dominate the campaign,
so too last night did they dominated the debate. As one
columnist noted, it was "all about Mr. Flaherty."
The following are quotes from media commentary and reports
on Jim Flaherty's performance.
"Finance
Minister Jim Flaherty staked out his ground as guardian
of the CSR, whether on outlawing teacher strikes or jailing
the homeless as a last resort. A stranger turning into
the debate could have been forgiven, given the amount
of time it focused on his ideas and everyone else attacking
him, for thinking Flaherty was the premier and Stockwell,
leader of the opposition." (Toronto Sun, 02/28/02,
emphasis added).
"On
issue after issue - education, privatization, homelessness
- it was Flaherty grabbing centre stage, both figuratively
and literally." (Toronto Star, 02/28/02).
"Finance
Minister Jim Flaherty managed to pull off a remarkable
performance. He took control of the show. He was almost
like a traffic cop, directing the others." (Toronto
Sun, 02/28/02).
"Under
no circumstances could Jim Flaherty be called a centrist,
but it's a funny thing, suddenly he's at the centre of
the Ontario Progressive Conservative leadership campaign."
(National Post, 02/28/02).
"Despite
Ernie Eves's status as the frontrunner, it was the ideas
of current Finance Minister Jim Flaherty - including banning
teachers' strikes, jailing the homeless and selling off
liquor stores - the stirred the fiercest debates."
(Toronto Star, 02/28/02).
"But
now - with three weeks left before Ontario Tories choose
their next leader and, at least for a while, our next
premier - it's all about Mr. Flaherty." (National
Post, 02/28/02).
"Flaherty
solidly ahead in race for second place." (Toronto
Star, 02/28/02).
"Last
night's debate seems to have established Flaherty as the
leader in the race for second place - behind Eves - on
the first ballot when the Tories vote on March 23."
(Toronto Star, 02/28/02).
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