[NYTr] Howard declared clear loser in Australian election debate

[All the News That Doesn't Fit]

The Independent - Oct 22, 2007
http://news.independent.co.uk/world/australasia/article3084297.ece

Howard declared clear loser in Australian election debate

By Kathy Marksin Sydney

The Australian opposition leader, Kevin Rudd, was declared the clear
victor after a televised election debate last night, turning up the
pressure on Prime Minister John Howard ahead of polls on 24 November.

Political analysts and body language experts said Mr Rudd, the Labour
leader, gave a better performance in what is expected to be the only
head-to-head debate of the six-week campaign.

They praised his responses to questions on interest rates, tax policy,
education, climate change and Australia's military involvement in Iraq
– even complimenting his choice of a charcoal and pink striped tie.

Mr Howard – in a sober blue tie – lauded the economic achievements of
his government, scorning Mr Rudd's claim to be an economic
conservative, calling him "an election-eve convert to responsible
economic management".

Mr Rudd said: "I've put before the Australian people a long-term plan
for the nation's future. I fear Mr Howard's put before them a
short-term strategy to win the election."

While Mr Howard stressed his experience, analysts said he had been too
negative, concentrating his efforts on attacking Labour. They said Mr
Rudd was more convincing and had come across as personable and
enthusiastic.

The latest polls show the Liberal-National Party coalition narrowing
the gap with Labour. Mr Howard has won at the ballot box twice before
after being declared the loser in debates.

During the 90-minute debate, Mr Howard said low-income earners facing
higher power bills as a result of the quest for cleaner energy would be
given assistance. He also said he would use his close ties with the US
and China to press for action on climate change.

Mr Rudd, 50, promised to ratify the Kyoto protocol on greenhouse gas
emissions, withdraw Australian troops from Iraq by next year, cancel
industrial relations reforms and invest in an "education revolution".

Both men pledged last week to deliver multi-billion dollar tax cuts.

One betting agency, Lasseters Sportsbook, said last night that the odds
on a Rudd win had shortened.