The nationally televised English-language debate Thursday was similar to Wednesday night's debate in French, with Harper, the minority Conservative leader, surrounded at a round table by Liberal leader Stephane Dion, socialist New Democratic Party leader Jack Layton, Bloc Quebecois chief Gilles Duceppe and Green Party leader Elizabeth May.

A night after the four opposition leaders took Harper to task for not voicing an economic plan, the Toronto Star said he was "more assertive" in the English debate.

Harper lashed out at Liberal Dion's assertion he was following the lead of U.S. President George Bush.

"We have not been following the same policies of the United States," Harper said. "The economic and financial mess in the United States is disastrous. The policies have been irresponsible. We've made very different choices in Canada."

NDP leader Layton was more direct in his criticism of Harper's unannounced economic policy, the Canwest News Service said.

"Either you don't care or you're incompetent, which is it?" Layton asked.