Bloc Leader Gilles Duceppe says he missed last night's debate between the two U.S. presidential candidates, so he could get an extra bit of shuteye.

Tim Duboyce

But the 61-year-old Bloc leader denies he is feeling fatigued as he heads into the fourth week of the election campaign.

"I'd say I'm in pretty good shape. I'm very careful about what I eat and drink. No wine for the [election] period," he said.

Duceppe says he is taking no sides in the race for the White House. He says he doesn't care to interfere in a decision he believes belongs to Americans alone.

"We have to respect their right to make their choice, just as we expect them [Americans] to respect the choice of Quebecers" on election day, he said.

Duceppe told reporters there was another reason he went to bed too early to watch Barack Obama and John McCain face off on TV.

"This morning, I had to get up at six o'clock, for an appointment to get my hair cut."

"Does it look nice?" he joked, gesturing to his freshly trimmed silver locks.

— Tim Duboyce