View larger image Gilles Duceppe, leader of the Bloc Quebecois speaks at a news conference at the Economic Club of Toronto, Friday, Oct. 3, 2008. (J.P. Moczulski / THE CANADIAN PRESS)

Duceppe a hit with Canadian voters outside Quebec

Updated Fri. Oct. 3 2008 5:52 PM ET

The Canadian Press

OTTAWA -- They can't vote for him, most abhor his dream to break up the country and few understand the words that come out of his mouth.

Still, many Canadians living outside Quebec have warmed up to Bloc Quebecois Leader Gilles Duceppe -- and, if given the chance, some would even cast a ballot for the sovereigntist party chief.

Political bloggers in the rest of Canada have been piling praise on Duceppe's debate execution in both official languages. Some believe the veteran leader appears more genuine than his rivals.

Duceppe devotees across the country have even created online groups in his name.

A message on the Facebook fan group called "Gilles Duceppe Rocks My Canadian Socks!" says it's "for those of us who seem to be swept away with his Quebecois charisma, and would vote for him anyways, even though we may not agree with separatism; or those who love him for his politics as well as his charm."

"I would totally vote for him if he ran in my riding," Winnipeg resident Robin Dudgeon, the group's creator, said in an email.

"I feel that it is his sense of humour that really does it for me. All of the other leaders really don't have the same thing."

Dudgeon, a 20-year-old communications student at Red River College, said the group connected her with other Duceppe admirers.

"As it turns out there are a number of people in my group from the West who seem to like Duceppe as well," she said.

"To me Gilles is fascinating because he is charismatic and witty."

Among Duceppe's admirers is that literary lion of English Canada, author Margaret Atwood.

Attending a Duceppe speech in Toronto on Friday, Atwood said she would definitely vote for the Bloc if she lived in Quebec.

"Yes, absolutely," she said "What is the alternative?"

Duceppe, the longest serving of all federal party chiefs, grappled Thursday in his 13th career leaders' debate.

The 61-year-old grandfather won the Bloc's first seat in 1990 and rose to party leader seven years later.

His sovereigntist party runs a full slate of 75 candidates in Quebec, but it has never vied for a seat outside the province.

With no chance of forming a government, some critics charge that Duceppe has never faced the same pressure as his counterparts.

He has also never had to present a fully costed platform for the country.

But political blogger Paul MacPhail said Duceppe's allure draws from his performances during Question Period and in the debates.

MacPhail, a Conservative supporter, said Duceppe and Prime Minister Stephen Harper are the only leaders who regularly stick to the issues while the others blow a lot of hot air.

"I think he's an excellent debater. He's on his game, he knows what he's talking about whether you disagree or agree with him," MacPhail said in a phone interview from Charlottetown.

He said Duceppe would be a contender for his vote if the Bloc ran a candidate in P.E.I. -- and, of course, if he dropped the whole sovereignty thing.

"If he was federal, yeah, he'd be somebody that I'd have to consider -- if he wasn't, you know, for separation," MacPhail said.

Matt Addley, a Calgary resident, said he isn't scared off by Duceppe's drive for a separate Quebec.

He said he admires Duceppe's sincerity and agrees with many of the Bloc's centre-left policies.

"I would absolutely consider voting for Mr. Duceppe, not in this particular election, since I'm a huge fan of Mr. (Liberal Leader Stephane) Dion, but if I had had the opportunity in previous elections, I probably would have," Addley said.

"He has a fundamental respect for Canada and its institutions, (and) the fact that he believes Quebec would be better served as a separate nation does not detract from that respect.

"He sincerely believes that separation is best for his people, and that's a position I can respect as long as he is respectful of federalists."

Even the unflattering news photo of Duceppe wearing a hairnet after touring a cheese factory in his first campaign has boosted his following outside Quebec.

Toronto resident Hillary Nalezyty said the "crazy photos" only add to Duceppe's character. She said she has always been intrigued by his combination of "wit and recklessness."

"He is lively and animated and yes, I do want to see if (he) comes up with a wacky comment or rebuttal during a debate, which is sometimes why I watch," Nalezyty said in an email.

The 29-year-old isn't sure he would get her vote if the Bloc ran in her riding, but said there is no denying he displays "honesty rarely shown by politicians."

"As far as I'm concerned, no current federal leader has the same `moxie' as `my Gilles.' He keeps things interesting."

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