Rules of debate

October 15, 2007, 8:53am,  181 views

The Liberal Party has invited Kevin Rudd to debate John Howard early in the campaign on its terms. These include burying the “worm”, ordaining the moderator (David Speers from Sky) and having no audience participation.

Of course Labor will accept. Along with the election timing, Howard controls when, where and how he debates Rudd.

It’s partly mind games to give no response to Rudd’s request for three debates and use of “new media” such as the internet.

Debates rarely have a decisive winner. A major blunder though could derail a campaign, so they are largely about risk management, rather than seeking a knockout punch. The contenders play for a draw.