The first leaders debate this evening between John Key & Phil Goff was an easy win to Key.
Phil started reasonably strongly but could only last about 5 minutes before he resorted to name calling, interrupting Key and the moderator.
This formula Goff stuck to for the full 90 minutes and it didn't work for him.
His media minder Brian Edwards clearly told him to be aggressive and engage with Key instead of the moderator and Goff managed to make Key look a bit awkward a few times as Key nodded his head politely to what he had to say.
After a while Key decided he wasn't going to turn to Goff in this manner and looked the better for it as Goff was found getting angry, butting in or smirking when Key was talking.
Key was confident where Goff was as convincing as Marty McFly's father in Back to the Future at times.
The Mr Angry routine just didn't do any favours for Goffy and he was left shouting in the wake of Key explaining policy while Goff wanted to talk over him.
The TV text poll rated the debate a 61/39 vote in Key's favour but I would put it at more like 70/30.
Buy Every Bastard Says No - The 42 Below Story, by Geoff Ross & Justine Troy & more @ Fishpond.co.nz
C c c Darren Rickard 2011
