TV Debate - who did best?

[JustineMumsnet]

So there you have it. History in the making; the UK's first live Leaders' election debate. Who do you think did best? Has it confirmed/ clarified your choice or even changed your mind?

Let us know your thoughts in our third election poll and you could win £50 in Boden or Amazon vouchers.

Thanks,
MNHQ

well i thought tonights debate was very interesting, makes me think that Nick Clegg shouldnt be written off as potential PM.

GB was the daddy.

Nick Clegg was great in patches, but cheesey overall.

David Cameron was orange and insubstantial. He was also mono-faceted relying heavily on anecdotes.

NC came off best I think but hasn't changed my mind when it comes to voting.

I also though Nick Clegg was impressive. Gb stayed the same in my estimatio really - still comes across as genuine and comitted but very tired. David Cameron seemed the most petty - attacking GB all the time and spouting meningless PR stuff.

See you're still lumping all us over-50s together.....

Vince Cable was best.

Definitely.

I have always leaned towards Lib Dem.

After all the DC and MN business, I thoughthe may be an OK person. Tonight convinced me otherwise. He came across as such a fake man who only talks about being concerned. He mentioned so many names and made so many apologies, but there was no feeling there. It was just words to make him seem caring. Poor show from him IMO.

GB is GB. He will never change!

Clegg did the best job, I think. Had a degree of charm and charisma, which the others lacked (whether you actually want charm and charisma in a leader is a whole other debate), responded clearly on the whole. His crack early on that the more GB and DC squabbled, the more they sounded the same was well-made.

GB had been told to smile, I reckon - a shame the smiles looked a tad like he was mocking the others. It was all a bit patronising elder-statesman.

DC stilted, a bit wobbly, too much note-writing and too little looking at the others in an engaged manner. Seemed the most nervous.

Gordon was by far the best lots of content not slick but good policies.

I would fill these surveys in, but don't like disclosing household income on them.

I listened on the radio and thought that GB came across as very even and calm. Meh to the other two, got a bit bored with NC pointing out that the other two were trying to knock lumps out of each other (note to Mr Clegg, that's how it works). Nice trick remembering questioners names though NC

Not so much the debates, but what's making my head hurt is labour wheeling out ALISTAIR CAMPBELL and MANDY to spin the outcome. Is this the best Labour has to offer? Really???

Gordon Brown was the most assured and the least patronising and also the least cosmetically enhanced.
A rugged honesty which quite frankly worked for me.

i missed it. can it be seen anywhere else?

Definitely not DC, which surprised me. I've just listened to someone say that DC was 'outstyled' by NC and I'd have to agree. Still GB on policy. Not hearing anything substantial in DC's policy at all.. it came off as so much public school rhetoric.

GB pissed on the other two. He performed much better than I thought he would. He was calm, self-assured and backed up his spiel with hard facts. He is the only one who sounds even vaguely convincing when talking about economic recovery.

DC was very disappointing. Flimsy, insincere, defensive.

Clegg did exactly what I thought he'd do. He came across as a nice bloke with some good ideas, but it was all a bit 'student debating society' for me. He is lightweight compared to GB.

I liked the way that it was done. I thought that Nick Clegg came out best.

Nick Clegg was the strongest of what was a very sterile debate. There needs to be less rules and more interaction between the leaders and audience. Thank God for Qustion Time.

Oh and style wise Nick Clegg won again as the slickest with the nicest tie.

Agree with fabhead

For me it was (in order) NC, GB, DC.

GB's courting of NC made me giggle a bit, especially when NC looked as though he didn't know anything about it.

Of all possible outcomes, I'd like to see a Lib/Lab coalition and I think the debate confirmed it.

Nick Clegg had a good night - now I will defintely be able to spot him in an identity parade, though hopefully won't have to. And with Vince as chancellor - not a bad double act.

Gordon still gets my vote - not a face for television but a brain I will happily continue with.

As for Cameron, my disdain for his organge, air brushed, insincere, toadying... I find everything about him and his stance on everything offensive.

Not exactly a floating voter me...

Nick Clegg apparently came top in the online poll after the broadcast. No surprise given his performance.

GB and DC fought amongst themselves most of the time.

Too much arse licking the people who asked the questions and not enough nitty gritty facts for my liking.

orange, but organge not beyond him...

I'm astonished anyone would think GB won that.
The prepared soundbites (Alastair, Mandelson) re the airbrushed posters.
The "I agree with Nick" moments.
He is an embarrassment as our premier officer of state, no matter what you think about policy. Can we really not get any better than this?!

NC was excellent, very calm and in control. Also came across as one with authority. But then, I am biased as I am his wife's Biggest Fan due to the fact that she refused to be trotted out to cheerlead her gurning husband, unlike the other two. I was alsoseriously impressed by him remembering the names of the audience members.

DC a bit too oily and a bit too Tory.

GB just lacked conviction to me.

Still not voting for any of the above though.

GB gets my vote.... but i didnt like his tie!!!!!