"I think there are some areas that we can do better but we are not in the kind of economic crisis we have in the U.S.," said the Conservative leader, seeking to deflect ferocious attacks from four other party leaders.
The debate was the last big chance his opponents have to try to achieve a breakthrough ahead of the Oct. 14 Canadian federal election and to try to cut into the strong polling lead Harper has enjoyed since the campaign began on Sept. 7.
Thursday's English debate followed a French-language debate on Wednesday night but this time had to compete for Canadian viewers with the U.S. vice-presidential debate at exactly the same time between Sarah Palin and Joe Biden.
"Hang on, guys, guys," moderator Steve Paikin said during a noisy exchange when leaders were talking over each other. "I'm trying to make sure that Biden and Palin don't take our audience."
Because of his front-runner status, Harper drew most of the attacks, with New Democratic Party leader Jack Layton calling him "cold-hearted" and Green leader Elizabeth May saying his environmental program was a fraud.
His main opponent, Liberal leader Stephane Dion, angrily accused him of distorting the Liberal proposal for a new carbon tax accompanied by income tax cuts and subsidies.
"Don't believe this man. We don't need this kind of leaders any more," said Dion, sometimes struggling in English, not his native language.
Republished permission FOCUS Information Agency
Published by Mike Hitchen, Mike Hitchen Consulting
