Well, it was certainly exciting watching the leadership debate, worm-free though it was.  I must say that on the whole, I think Howard blew it big time - it is doubtful that he'll want a repeat closer to the election.  Howard confirmed one of the most damaging perceptions of him and his government - stuck in the past, retrospective, with no new ideas. None of the policies he put forward did anything to displace that impression. His emphasis was on preservation, maintenance and restoration. Read more »