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.
Reflections on the Miracle of Democracy at Work in the Greatest Nation on Earth
Open debate thread
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1,076 Comments
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Howard on monetary policy – the worm’s on mogodon!
Quick someone get some defib paddles. John Howard is in cardiac arrest according to Nine’s worm.
Similarly, Rudd might need some serious medication to scrape him off of the ceiling.
And so far we have only discussed economy!
17% interest rates just dont do what they used to as a cliche
the worm is ambivalent to the old 17% interest line…lol
Poor Janette. Howard just can’t get the worm up tonight.
When Howard speaks the worm flat lines. It not because they a re neutral it’s because they are asleep.
Howard has killed the worm is it dead?
It’s only an indication, not meant to be taken literally. I still say Howard’s problem is that he is being too negative and that’s why the worm is on a downer when he speaks.
These are marginal voters in charge of this thing aren’t they?
Let’s have a little balance here folks
Given how badly Howard’s attacks on Rudd have gone so far, I fear for the worm’s continued health when we get to the bit where the leaders question each other.
My god, Howard’s touching the 17% Keating/Hawke talking point, after Rudd already mentioned that it was 22% under Howard/Fraser.
Spears question asking for an apology for interest rates was ballsy. Howard’s claim that he accepts responsibility is just bulldust in it’s purest form.
Howard is full of shit. He believes in ministerial accountability????
Another perception from this debate, looking purely at the worm alone:
The audience in the channel nine studios is quite possibly mirroring the general public in that when Howard is speaking, they either don’t care and the worm stays around the zero mark, or they reject his attacks on Rudd.
When Rudd is speaking, the viewers like what they’re hearing, and the worm goes up. It’s very interesting to see this reaction live.
Mark, you’re right. The Wormers just aren’t reacting to Howard at all. No interest.
Great debate, Rudd is coming across very well.
Howard is out of ideas and tricks.
Can see why Howard did not want the worm, with Rudd it powers off for Australia’s future, with Howard its dive dive dive.
Rudd’s worm needs a space suit?
Howard is bereft of ideas and his message is falling on deaf ears.
The worm needs defibrilating. Intertest rates is killing it.
i love this worm, before rudd even opens his mouth it is on the 2nd top bar..
Someone resuscitate the worm!
Howards moment is coming…..wait for it – oooooooopppppsss!
“50
barbara Says:
October 21st, 2007 at 7:47 pm
Does anyone know how the worm audience was chosen?”
Howard’s Cabinet
charlie@105… thanks for that. I’m going to be lying awake tonight and twitching in horror at the thought.
I am a veterinary surgeon and I am expecting an emergency phone call about a worm that needs revival very soon (or sedation if Rudd is on)
Paul Kelly’s not convinced.. roflol
Go the worm!
A flatline is as good as downhill from Howard from Rudd. People don’t need to hate Howard to not vote for him. They just need to think he is no longer relevant.
Paul Kelly just threw a curveball at Howard, even the GG has turned on him!
Kina – LOL!
Charging…..
Clear!
*Thwap*
Howard’s problem is he comes across as a nasty person. A constant frown, contrasted to Kevin’s more positive facial expressions.
Objectively speaking, I’m quite impressed with Rudd tonight. He is usually very wooden, but he’s doing quite well. Again, a proviso that I think the debate’s are almost completely irrelevant in the general scheme of things.
I think the worm mainly indicates that people are fairly much sick of hearing the sound of Howard’s voice. Rudd is fresh young face. I suspect you cannot read too much into this very wide disparity. It’s a knee jerk reaction to the boring has-been versus the fresh face – but it far from necessarily reflects voting intentions.
OK I will try for some balance. Watching the ABC, without the worm, I think Howard is making his standard points perfectly competently. Before I get too carried away by the worm, I want to know how the Ch9 audience was recruited.
oops we crashed LP
What I was trying to say in 113 is that the audience is a microcosm of the electorate in that they’ve stopped listening to Howard.
He really appears droning, boring and carping by comparison to Rudd.
Paul Kelly questioning Howard now on his tax cuts and the effect on the economy.
Worm is just below neutral at best.
Is anyone keeping tabs on the number of times the phrase “working families” is uttered?
I know this might sound odd, but I really think Howard’s age is showing. His ‘ticker’ – as he used on Beazley – isn’t really there at all. He’s pausing so much that he sounds very unsure of himself except for when he’s being negative about Rudd or referring to the past.
Mr Speaker! Mr Speaker! I move that Mr Kelly no longer be heard!
That hand waving is a bit distracting on TV – probably quite effective for the auditorium, but 200 committed voters there.
barbara @ 123. As a psychiatrist I think you might also want to pack some Prozac for JWH and Lithium for KR.
Most marginal seat voters are about to switch over to Kath & Kim.
Not having the protection of a Speaker and having to actually answer questions is exposing him as an inadequate debater.
Rudd could start reciting the dictionary and the worm would move up
the worms hanging ten
Super H is looking uncomfortable !
Rudd should stick to the positives.
Better tell that worm to stop what it’s doing to Rudd’s leg; Howard’s feeling left out.
In case you missed it earlier today Rudd promised tax cuts for all worm australians, you can see it really paying off for Labor now.
Ok. Now I know why the Libs didn’t want the worm. They focus grouped it and realised that Rudd could get away with bagging Howard. Now the media know. They will go on the attack as well. Now the public and Labor supporters know the morale boost will be immense.
Dear god – Howard’s line that he wouldn’t ever consider re-evaluating the tax cuts is handing the ALP a great club.
I just don’t understand how it is that the wormers hate Howard going negative, but love it when Rudd goes negative. I wonder if it’s a tone thing – Howard really does sound like Grandpa Simpson.
LTEP – I agree, Howard looks decidedly shifty when listening to questions. No confidence, he will become more rattled as this debate goes on.
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