I've done a blog post on it http://www.ambitgambit.com/2013/08/12/why-abbott-won-the-debate/, and while I think Abbott won the debate he could have lost by a little and still won.

Rudd obviously thought the debate could provide him with a silver bullet, but rather than that he missed Abbott, and came out looking a little shifty.

I can imagine all those Western Sydney types shaking their heads that he didn't seem to know about the Badgery's Creek Airport proposal.

So, no matter which way I score the performances, I see the outcome as damage to Rudd.

But that's just what I think.

as krudd NEEDED A CLEAR WIN*
and at best*..drew a draw..tony won

but of truth..
if they are our best..we all loose

playing safe ..will backfire
recall lathums absurdly aggressive handshake
or childish sin spin..kiddies over board..the times shape the man

till one or other..begins doing
as we saw jesus do..;ie helping the poor sick abused
overworked..overtaxed..over policed..

not just the swinger voter
or the fo-cuss group

Hi GY,

I think today’s highly orchestrated debates are just a big set up for the media “gotcha”.

It’s not surprising that the candidates are overly cautious. I did watch it but to me it was always going to be a Q&A in waiting. Not impressed with David Spears, never good when a moderator joins the fray.

Judging by the Sports bet odds this morning this did not go at all well for the ALP, they are now out to $5.50 with Abbott unbackable at $1.15. I guess that sounds about right to me.

Abbott seemed to have won.
But he was helped by Rudd.
The second Sydney air port remark was an own goal.
His now deputy has been working hard to get it done.
And NSW Barry O Farrell just as hard stopping it.
Rudd did not press home the 70 billion Abbott needs to find, based on Hocky,s words.
And Let Abbott get away with not talking about his green house gas reduction scheme.
Not over yet and no easy task for Labor, but I would have thought Rudd would have learned from Obama talking over the moderator and past his turn.
Like Obama he can come back and win but it will take more than last nights effort.

i agree with grayham/belly..the 2de airport was an own goal
till then kevin at least tried to debate..

but the moderator..fox/dude?..
wanted too much to be seen to be..in control

tony did appear to be more camera focused
but i watched the worm turn..[the people of the worm gave it clearly to krudd]

i would like to say i wont watch..the next one
but its like a train wreck..cause kevin GOT rushed into the election

un moderated..or of/to specific topic may be better
but these things are too formatted..and tony wont be risking that

krudd should have pushed more
to say WHO..will you sell nbn..to
how does the mining tax cut..help..the little guy

if only '500'..[250]..are paying juliars green c02 tax
how come millions..are feeling the pain

why didnt..low c02 users get the free tax credits
how come service access fee/charges costs the same for big ab-users..as the small user[50%..of my bill..is acces/gst etc charges]

there maybe a 2de..de-bait
but i will warrant..there wont be no third

Belly I think you will find Rudd did not mention any 70 billion, because old mate there aint none, he knows it, & talking about would make him look even more stupid than he did.

He can't talk about global warming, as there aint none. Hasn't been for 16 years & he damn well knows it. It was a hoax all along. Bring it up now & what is happening in Europe, with them all getting out of it as fast as they can run, will come to light, & make him look even more stupid than he did after his Copenhagen extravaganza turned into a catastrophe.

Mate he is a dead man walking, & good riddance to bad rubbish. It is all over, & I'll even bet you a day lily on it.

Even the great John Howard could not come back from where this fool has got himself.