PEOPLE’S National Party (PNP) candidate Lisa Hanna stole the show at Saturday’s political debates, according to some viewers, who also gave her party the edge over the ruling Jamaica Labour Party (JLP).

The overwhelming view among a number of individuals with whom the Observer spoke yesterday was that the PNP team — which also included Raymond Pryce and Dr Dayton Campbell — was better prepared for a debate.

However, Hanna (St Ann Eastern) stood head and shoulders above all with her “calm, clear delivery”, “in substance” and her “diplomatic demeanour”, according to the majority of the persons interviewed in the streets a day after the first of three televised political debates.

“I would say that the PNP was more prepared for a debate. And Lisa delivered the best,” said a sales and marketing representative who gave his name as O Campbell. “The candidates need to learn that there is a difference in how they look delivering and what they (actually) deliver.”

According to Campbell, the JLP’s candidate Warren Newby did not have a grasp of the issues and appeared nervous. Raymond Pryce (PNP, North Eastern St Elizabeth), he said, never displayed much substance; the JLP’s Marlene Malahoo-Forte (Central Westmoreland) was too arrogant and did not give sufficient answers to the questions; and the JLP Dr Saphire Longmore (Eastern St Andrew) was not “prepared at all” for the debates.

Said maritime student Aldreno Farquharson regarding Hanna: “The calmest person there who seemed prepared was Lisa Hanna. She was diplomatic and straightforward in most instances.”

Malahoo-Forte and Pryce, he said, were too aggressive, referring to their sharp verbal sparring during the debate, which got personal at one point.

“I hear Lisa clearly, what she was saying. If she gets the chance she will do what she says,” noted laundry attendant Cynthia Griffith.

Griffiths said Pryce was a bit too animated but “spoke logic”. She was, however, not impressed with Malahoo-Forte, whom she said appeared as if she wanted to fight.

A retiree, who gave her name as Ms Campbell, said: “I did not like Pryce’s behaviour. That type of politics must stop.”

“I think the PNP got the edge over the JLP because of the answers and Lisa Hanna was the strongest person. Newby was the JLP strongest candidate,” said hotel worker Sharon Powell.