Not a fan of the solo-panel Qanda's, no matter who it is.
Critics of the Rooty Hill debate (where Abbott put in his best performance of the campaign) said the audience were packed with Liberal stooges. You certainly can't accuse tonight's audience of that
Not to seem unkind, but jeez I wish some of those audience members would cut to the chase with their questions. The ABC should be helping them edit their questions down.
Abbott strikes me as much more down to earth than Gillard in these situations. Rightly or wrongly, there is no dissembling, you get the feeling he has the courage of his convictions, and is almost a bit too honest for his own good.
The Liberal campaign bosses obviously think he looks best chatting with the punters, so Gillard only gets her debate on the economy tomorrow if there's another town hall style debate on Wednesday.
The ALP's campaign launch has come and gone without the leaker delivering the coup de grace via Laurie Oakes on tonight's news as some cynics were predicting, and the Latham 60 minutes piece and Van Rudd Australian Story appearance didn't cause any further damage.
There has been little poll movement. 2PP it looks like 52-48 to the ALP, which would wash out as a 20 seat ALP majority. Short of boat people flaring up as a major issue in the final days, you would think that she should get home, but I'm still not brave enough to call it. I live in Sydney and know how palpable sentiment is toward the dreadful state ALP government we have here. It has to have an impact on Saturday. Also, I am not sure Queenslanders have forgiven Gillard for Rudd's knifing.
In a nutshell, you rather be backing Gillard, but an Abbott win is still possible.