Open debate thread

A thread for you all to discuss the debate as it happens. If you don’t like the company round here, there’s a live chatroom at Larvatus Prodeo.

Author: William Bowe

William Bowe is a Perth-based election analyst and occasional teacher of political science. His blog, The Poll Bludger, has existed in one form or another since 2004, and is one of the most heavily trafficked websites on Australian politics.

1,076 comments on “Open debate thread”

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  1. Howard just doesn’t get it . You can’t win by being negative and talking about the past. He needs to go positive and talk about the future.

  2. I’m impressed with Speers – he’s proving to be very impartial. I’m also convinced from this that Howard is much more popular than his front bench. He mentiones them, and the worm dives.

    Adam – I tend to agree that the worm appears to be a bit dodgy, in that it goes positive almost no matter what Rudd says, and the reverse for Howard.

  3. For their next show, I think the Chaser needs to send Chas in a worm suit chasing after Rudd to hug him.

    Astonishing – did Channel 9 just go to the local ALP branch meeting to scoop up a bunch of people?

  4. [ Does anyone know how the worm audience was chosen? ]

    200 invited by the Libs and 200 by Labor.
    .
    .

    Acutually ignore that. That’s the audience in the Hall not at Channel Nine. Sorry.

  5. Howard is incredibly shrill tonight -repeating negative ad hominem attacks and engaging in tired old cliches. He seems to be living up to his usual standards in televised debates

    Rudd got off to a slow start but he’s really performing well now

  6. What’s bad for Howard is that Rudds attack on Howard saying that 7 out of 10 in cabinet didnt want Howard to be there, the worm didnt drop from it’s high level.

    That is bad, bad, bad for Howard

  7. Dry econo-talk is bad for the worm on both sides. Services, Unions, the future, climate change is good for the worm. Anything Howards says is bad for the worm.

  8. What the hell? Rudd attacks Howard’s time as treasurer, and the worm goes up?!

    The Rudd answer about the union thing was well done. Howard’s response has had the worm marginally above zero, which is about as good as he’s managed.

  9. # 50 barbara Says: October 21st, 2007 at 7:47 pm

    Does anyone know how the worm audience was chosen?

    By invite. 50% coalition/labor.

  10. The 9 audience would be swinging voters – that’s the way its usually worked

    I’m greatly relieved to hear that. I’m not seeing the worm, but it sound like Nine have stuffed it up again.

  11. Worm out of control again. Every time Rudd talks – he seems to dealing with issues that affect families whilst Howard is just so negative.

  12. Rudd is constantly pushing the line that he’s been “across the country” and “talking to people”… He’s constantly saying this and thus reinforcing the perception that he is listening to the voters. It’s a very strong line to take and it’s winning the battle of the worm. Howard is not countering this approach and it’s going to cost him.

  13. Tha ALP tax plan is a winner if the worm is representative. Does anyone know if Crosby-Textor and the like do this sort of thing to roadtest their talking points? Because the disparity between the two of them with the worm-reaction is stunning.

  14. “80
    red wombat Says:
    October 21st, 2007 at 7:54 pm
    Rudds worm is on VIAGRA!!!!!!”

    That is the funniest thing I have heard in a while. Im sure Therese will be pleased.

  15. “72
    red wombat Says:
    October 21st, 2007 at 7:52 pm
    I lay odds that Janette come on stage and shoves Johnny off and takes over.”

    Stop it, your killing me.

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