It doesn't take long in politics for a line to become cliché.

Take this one, a staple of parliamentary debate for the first 18 months of Conservative government: "after 13 years of Liberal mismanagement, we're taking action to (insert policy or program here)."

Or that old saw, "Canada's new government," which went on for about the same length of time.

Well, on the NDP tour this campaign, the big Jack Layton line has always had something to do with the "kitchen table." As in, putting the issues discussed at the Kitchen Table™ ahead of those discussed at the board room table.

Layton used it all the time. All. The. Time.

So much, in fact, that it took just a week for reporters aboard Layton's plane to name the bird, "Kitchen Air."

And so, it was with bemusement (and trepidation) reporters listened to Jack Layton during the English language leaders debate Thursday night.

"Would Jack say it?" some wondered.

Well, yes. In fact, he did. But, just the once.

Just once.

It could have been so much worse.

— James Cudmore