Why is Abbott so scared of Rudd?

[i-need-a-martini]

His overall dimeaner this past week has been interesting. He certainly looks anxious.

So why not take Rudd on in a debate as Rudd suggests? It might be a good opportunity for Abbott to promote his policies.

http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/political-news/abbott-ducks-rudds-call-for-economy-debate-20130630-2p4...

[cherry*135]

I don't think any politician on any debate answers any questions unless the questions are screened first and they already have the answers ready.

?:|?:|

What about when they travel around and meet and greet constituents? People ask questions then & the PM or Opposition leader have to answer those off the cuff...  like when TA made a big gaffe when he spoke to Australian soldiers overseas, with what he said about the soldiers who had died in service.

Does Tony Abbott understand how the economy works?, a lot of politicians don't.

[i-need-a-martini]

I am missing half the posts on here. 😉

But in response to newstart through am3 - of course the questions should NOT be screened first. A

debate is meant to be open. It gives the debaters a chance to sell themsleves and what they stand for. It gives us the opportunity to see how they REALLY handle themselves without a script and without their minders/scriptwriters/spin men to pull the strings.

Free debates are an absolutely essential part of political campaigning.

And Rudds point is very valid - much of the Liberal Party's criticism of the Labor govt has been based on economics. So why would Abbott shirk debating a topic that has consumed him for the past 3 years?

[cherry*135]

TA was down this way recently where I live. He spoke at an invite only public forum in Nowra.

..  fronting a tightly controlled community forum.

[zanadoo_56]

I think he's gone from a sure-fire election win to a probable-win-but-not-by-much. 🙂

No wonder he hasn't been saying much.

[i-need-a-martini]

TA was down this way recently where I live. He spoke at an invite only public forum in Nowra.

..  fronting a tightly controlled community forum.

He only ever talks to Liberal minded crowds. It's a very odd way to convert voters.

[poddster]

Martinus, do you mean answer questions without being backed up by fact? 

Do you really think that any politician has all the factual answers stored in their head?

The problem is that most of the glib pollies pluck an answer out of the air and then in hindsight try to make the situation fit the answer.

Aka Krudd

[poddster]

Martinus, cast your mind back to Labor/Union gatherings. were they not preaching to the brainwashed and converted? Also by invitation only

[icyfroth]

Here ya go Martini in case you have this poster on ignore:

Why is Abbott so scared of Rudd?

 On what do you base the assunption the he is?

I'd like to know your answer to that too pls.

[poddster]

Thank you Icy 🙂

[**meep**]

Where is NW? We could do with an update on the betting odds for the election.

Is the boycott over already? 😮

Geez, time flies.....