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.
View all posts by William Bowe
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.
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.
whats the big deal with howard mentioning twice now that he has his cheer squad wih him?
Has the scale used for the worm graphic been flattened vertically, otherwise the contrast would be even starker!
is it just me, or is Howard sounding desperate and defensive? not a good look for a supposed statesman…
Rudd has a serious memory for figures….
Go Kev get stuck right in!
Here’s a tip – turn the sound off and just watch the worm. It’s great!
[ Does anyone know how the worm audience was chosen? ]
200 invited by the Libs and 200 by Labor.
This is just too funny. That worm hates Howard.
How about having a centipede.
7 out of 10. Pure Gold.
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?
[ 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.
Its a knockout to rudd, call in the trainers to carry Howard out.
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
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
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.
Go, Rudd, Go!!!
The wormers arent sucked in by all government being ALP
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.
# 50 barbara Says: October 21st, 2007 at 7:47 pm
By invite. 50% coalition/labor.
I lay odds that Janette come on stage and shoves Johnny off and takes over.
How about we apply the worm to journos questions – if the worm drops during the question, they get slimed?
How utterly ridiculous.
damn time difference. Debate not on Nine till 7:30 so I have to watch Sky. Therefore no worm 🙁
actually, read that wrong too. That was the hall audience.
Does anyone know how the audience controlling the worm was chosen?
The 9 audience would be swinging voters – that’s the way its usually worked
JWH’s tone is a bit harsh, Rudd more balanced. And JWH keeps hitting that microphone!
Good and clear response from Rudd.
Rudds worm is on VIAGRA!!!!!!
Woah… That tax refund went down well.
The worm needs oxygen at those altitudes.
I’m greatly relieved to hear that. I’m not seeing the worm, but it sound like Nine have stuffed it up again.
Kevin has pwned the worm!
Worm out of control again. Every time Rudd talks – he seems to dealing with issues that affect families whilst Howard is just so negative.
That worm will have an oxygen mask dropping out of the overhead cabinet soon
wtf is happening with the worm
howards on the nose
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.
the channel 9 audience must be made up of Rudds family. It loves him.
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.
If the worm is swinging voters, it’s behaving pretty much as the big polls, and the way Rudd has positioned himself suggests it should.
Worm’s only about 80% for rudd
LOL @ barbara
Don’t forget that Rudd is ahead and only needs a draw. Howard is behind and needs a win to create some momentum.
“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.
I think we need a larger scale for the worm – Rudd is bouncing off the roof!!
I can’t quite believe the worm.
It must be hard concentrating with the Smirk and Dolly in the front row.
“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.
Looks like Grumpy Grampa turned up to debate Uncle Kev tonight. No wonder the worm is ambivalent or negative towards him.