Mon, 21 Nov 2011 9:12p.m.
Opinion by Jeremy Elwood
TVNZ have had their go, so now it’s TV3’s turn to host a leader’s debate before the election. This may seem disingenuous because of the site I’m writing for, but all bias aside, I think TVNZ just got schooled.
First up, the studio and style difference was evident from the start – no “viewer’s questions” making it all into an extended episode of “NZ’s Next Top Politician”, and no audience bathed in what can only be described as cop lights.
Secondly, the leaders were allowed to actually debate, not just read prepared statements. John Campbell did a great job of doing what a debate moderator is supposed to do – bugger all. Just keep things on track, allow people to reply (mainly Key, to be fair) and otherwise let them go for it.
And go for it they did. Goff, quite frankly, had the best of this one. Key looked tired and annoyed a lot of the time, despite keeping his head better than he did in any previous debate – no Jerry McGuire quotes for a change.
The “worm”, unscientific as it is, also favoured Goff, except when he talked about the possibility of going into coalition with Winston Peters, where he took a big dive. It appears NZ First scare more than just the Prime Minister. Having said that, Key was more convincing on asset sales than he has been in the past, and won points in the latter stages simply by sticking to point.
The commentary was thankfully kept to the end, and although it seems a bit odd to have Paul Henry, a former National candidate, invited as an impartial witness, you have to get your money back somewhere, right? So, in conclusion, a good night for Phil Goff, and refreshingly the teapot tapes hardly featured at all.