I'm only semi-watching but I think Nick is coming across better

 

Until now perhaps

Edited March 26, 201411 yr by G R I F F

I just picked up on it. I think Nick has by far the better points naturally but Farage's rabble-rousing ability is unfortunately not looking entirely toothless (what he's saying is bullshit but he knows how to sell his bullshit). The clapping for Clegg reassures me a little though.

I just picked up on it. I think Nick has by far the better points naturally but Farage's rabble-rousing ability is unfortunately not looking entirely toothless (what he's saying is bullshit but he knows how to sell his bullshit). The clapping for Clegg reassures me a little though.

 

I think they deliberately picked an audience with an equal number in favour of the EU and against it.

Edited March 26, 201411 yr by Danny

We've got about 2 months to sort out the rules of the Great Debate Drinking Game. To get us started -

 

Every time someone from the audience brings up tuition fees (I know it's a debate on Europe, but SOMEONE'S going to bring it up), take a drink.

 

Yep, called it.

 

YouGov says:

 

Nick Clegg = 36%

Nigel Farage = 57%

Don't Know = 6%

 

for their who performed better poll. I think it was close, but I'd tip towards Farage.

It's no surprise Farage would win the snap poll though - he's arguing the far more popular side. The real question is who won more out of those who went in undecided. I hope someone's actually polling that.

Second debate starting now on BBC2!

The problem for Clegg is he's recycling all his tricks from the 2010 debates (looking at the camera, the same speaking style, same mannerisms). And for most people, Clegg in the 2010 debates is forever associated with the "betrayal" that came in the immediate aftermath...

The problem for Clegg is he's recycling all his tricks from the 2010 debates (looking at the camera, the same speaking style, same mannerisms). And for most people, Clegg in the 2010 debates is forever associated with the "betrayal" that came in the immediate aftermath...

Which is a pity as most of what he is saying is right. Most of what Farage is saying is piffle.

Which is a pity as most of what he is saying is right. Most of what Farage is saying is piffle.

 

I thought Clegg was better last week really. He kept cool and focussed on the facts last week. This week he's seemed more irritable and has gone for more personal insults against Farage (which, even if most of those insults are true, it doesn't make a very good impression). The bit where he tried to accuse him of siding with Putin was particularly unimpressive and juvenile I thought.

Edited April 2, 201411 yr by Danny

Clegg seemed very repetitive when putting the arguments against Farage. He had a few very good points but I think he could have made more about the benefits of being in rather than focusing on 'it's not as bad as what Farage is saying and his dream of coming out is pure fantasy'. Which it is but arguing the negative never looks good.

 

Farage is a very good speaker and I'll bet he does well out of this. Clegg unfortunately was far better in the first debate.

I thought Clegg was better last week really. He kept cool and focussed on the facts last week. This week he's seemed more irritable and has gone for more personal insults against Farage (which, even if most of those insults are true, it doesn't make a very good impression). The bit where he tried to accuse him of siding with Putin was particularly unimpressive and juvenile I thought.

As Putin is probably even less popular with UK voters than Clegg himself, I suppose it seemed like too good an opportunity to miss.