The lack of discussion of substantial issues was indeed disappointing. The party runs the debates, and the questions were sort of silly. Why should you be the leader sort of thing.
No questions about China, or Syria, emminent invasion of Iran, the role of the Euro, financial crisis of European banking, or even Canada-U.S. relations, let alone how to move towards justice for Palestine.
The ongoing civil war in Libya could have been raised, and would have embarassed the party. So what? The overall lack of substantial discussion hurts the NDP more than exposing its policy weaknesses to public discussion.
Overall the discussion was Mansbridge like in its lack of substance.
RDI and Newsworld are covering Whitney Houstons career. The RDI report played after the debate in BC talked about the debate being held in the future. The NDP story was on Romeo leaving the race, yesterdays news.