http://www.news.com.au/adelaidenow/story/0,22606,22632389-5014076,00.html

…most people won’t take in what they’re actually debating but will see Swan looking uneased and Costello laughing at him.

But I read that differently Futt Bucker. I see Costello swaying with that supercilious slightly mad drunken act he does when he craps on about facts and figures and how great the economy is going thanks to him and Swan being all humble, modest and earnest with brow perspiring to deliver the economic side of The Light on the Hill for the common man. Costello routinely treats Swan with absolute contempt and maybe that might not ride out that well with the electorate. Oh God here we go – Lateline and Costello is doing that predicting utter-disaster-if-Labor-gets-in act again…

I can’t believe Labor agreed to this and even if Swan were to “win” the debate I think this could get the Libs back in the game.

It’s on their terms; “It’s all about the economy”.

… even I think that this is going to be painful to watch.

Mick it’s great that you’re gonna take one for the team. I look forward to reading your report.

Hello! Spot on.

Cheers
BBB

This Ross Gittins article from today’s SMH hits a few nails very squarely on the head. Where are the bold initiatives ? Can’t the opposition do more than ensure 3-4 years of the same policies that we currently have ?

http://www.smh.com.au/news/opinion/a-smarter-vision-for-the-future/2007/10/23/1192941064156.html”

The debate will be meaningless if it becomes a passionless tit for tat fight about arcane financial and economic policies. I don’t care how articulute the debaters are this subject matter will be TV/viewer poison.
One benefit could be that we see and record (for prosperity – what is that these days ,30 minutes ?) the precise moment Costello ” jumps the shark” .

That’s right mick. Costello is taking a huge risk with this debate, more evidence of his giant ego. Notice how when he mentions Swan, he goes “Yes, I’ll be debating (pause) Swan (lifted eyebrow and upward inflection)?” As if everyone agrees with him that the very mention of Swan is enough to make everyone fall about laughing at how hopeless he is by comparison.

Unfortunately for Costello, we don’t all agree. As Slim said, Swan is a smooth and articulate operator, and the Libs are making a big mistake in dismissing him as a lightweight. Costello’s arrogance, and his awesome smirk, will take him down in this debate. Swan just has to mark time and let Costello do all the work in destroying himself. Nobody will give a stuff about the numbers.

It can only end in tears for Team Howard as Swan will be briefed by the best brains and economic wonks in the country. Costello will still sound like a smarmy university student politician with lousy debating skills beyond sledging and ad hominem attacks.

Desperate measures for desperate times.

Instead it will come down to 1) a few grabs on the News and Current affairs shows, 2) the worm and 3) the journo’s responses.

Costello’s leering sarcasm (Keating without the wit) will probably cost him the worms vote. The manner in which the media choose any clips, though, will determine how it is perceived more generally. Swan is likely to be less “theatrical” than Costello, which may reduce his impact when it comes to the evening news rehash.

The newspaper journos will probably respond pretty much in line with their current political proclivities.

Dave, I think there are loads of opportunities there for Swan to have a swing at Costello and it’s going to be hard for Costello to swing back without looking smug (crap, used it again).