Cunliffe wins first leaders' debate

Labour has received a much-needed shot in the arm, with David Cunliffe coming out on top in his first head-to-head tussle with John Key.

The social media mob, polls and pundits all say the Labour leader carried the day.

One exception was host broadcaster TVNZ's own viewer poll, but that result was marred by a technical foulup with online voting.

Here's a quick snapshot of reaction.

Snap polls
True, all the "Who won?" polls are self-selecting, but the TVNZ result aside a clear trend emerged (and you have to bear in mind that Labour and David Cunliffe are both in the poll doldrums, meaning the Labour leader would have had far fewer hardcore supporters mindlessly voting for him regardless of performance):

TVNZ: Key 61%, Cunliffe 39%
Newstalk ZB: Cunliffe 73%, Key 26%, Undecided 1%
NZ Herald: Cunliffe 52%, Key 45%, Draw: 3%
NBR ONLINE (progress result): Cunliffe: 59%, Key 33%, Draw 8%

Pundits' picks
Rob Hosking, NBR: Cunliffe. NBR's politics editor the Labour leader was "clearly ahead but not overwhelmingly" and Key "curiously flat and un-energised"

Corin Dann, OneNews: Cunliffe. "David Cunliffe had the most to gain from tonight's debate, so it wasn't a surprise to me that he came out firing and really looked to take it to John Key. It was a risky strategy, but it seemed to work early on at least."

Fran O'Sullivan, NZ Herald: Cunliffe. "Key needs to show us he wants another three year term running NZ. But his body language detracted from his patient - if boring - policy explanations (what's with the hand in the pocket?) He was rattled when Mike Hosking quizzed him about an apparent plot by Collins loyalists to oust him as the price for a deal with Winston Peters."

Toby Manhire, NZ Herald: Cunliffe. "Cunliffe had reportedly been bunkered down for a day's prep, while Key was taking it easy, and it showed. Cunliffe stood legs apart, scowling, like he might just burst into Kapa O Pango (mercifully we were spared All Black metaphors); the PM leant, hand in pocket, as if waiting for a cab."

John Armstrong, NZ Herald: Cunliffe. "A narrow victory for David Cunliffe, but one which will be a huge morale-booster for the struggling Labour leader. It was his one chance to give hundreds of thousands of voters who have not bothered to listen to Labour a taste of what his party has to offer."

Audrey Young, NZ Herald: Key. "Key is so match-fit for the campaign, he made the debate look effortless and won the debate. Cunliffe was polished but not as at ease with his material as Key. He was over-rehearsed."

Duncan Garner, RadioLive: Cunliffe. "[I] give it to Cunliffe. Looked strong. Key too passive and slightly rattled."

Andrea Vance, Stuff: "From the Green room - Cunliffe in control & impressively calm but the interjecting is winning him no favours. Key oddly nervous and subdued."

Rachel Smalley, TV3/Firstline: Cunliffe. "Good performance by a confident Cunliffe. More assertive than Key. Cunliffe the winner? I think so."

Twitter feedback taster

Cunliffe was well-drilled and his taking-over was strategic. Got some good speeches in. I didn’t think Key was bad though. Oddly structured.

— Russell Brown (@publicaddress) August 28, 2014

I'd pick Cunliffe - Dirty Politics is hurting the famous Key ring of confidence

— John Drinnan (@Zagzigger) August 28, 2014

@dpfdpf I'm in Koru and enjoyed it. Very robust. I'd say JK was less effective. Unlike his Parliament performances.

— Don Christie (@normnz) August 28, 2014

Felt like Hosking's antagonism worked well for Cunliffe, gave him more speaking time

— Danyl Mclauchlan (@danylmc) August 28, 2014

@mizjwilliams based on expectations dc outperformed and pm disappointed

— pbmcbeth (@pbmcbeth) August 28, 2014

Did @johnkeypm actually outline a single @NZNationalParty policy? Offered no ideas, just criticised @nzlabour ideas. #LeadersDebate #votenz

— Paul Harper (@pauljmharper) August 28, 2014

I was also completely, utterly wrong with my prediction earlier that Key would bring his @CampbellLiveNZ style A game.

— Philip Matthews (@secondzeit) August 28, 2014

@mizjwilliams Cunliffe was better prepared but then became overly aggressive. The lack of structure meant it turned into yelling match

— Ian Havill (@iHavill) August 28, 2014

From inside the studio Cunliffe looked more relaxed of the two. He missed on KiwiBuild. But so did PM on tax cuts

— Felix Marwick (@felixmarwick) August 28, 2014

@CitizenBomber He did more than hold his own, he bought out the DC that members voted 4, kept calm, on message and was outstanding

— StephT (@st3ph007) August 28, 2014

 

That 75c sometimes-crashing TV One vote poll really makes a mockery of the whole thing #Vote2014NZ

— Robyn Paterson (@robynpaterson) August 28, 2014

Txt poll irony is, Cunliffe would be pinching himself were Labour to be polling as high as 31% right now.

— Garth Bray (@GarthBray) August 28, 2014

REMEMBER the #VoteNZ2014 poll only took into account people who are completely OK with paying 75c to send a text

— Elle Hunt (@mlle_elle) August 28, 2014

The text poll on @tvnz has to be a straight up joke - 75c? I don’t know anyone who would vote at that price yo

— James Hart (@JamesSentient) August 28, 2014

Of course JK would take out the TV One poll. IT WAS 75c A POP! Most Labour voters are busy spending that on milk and bread. #Vote2014NZ

— Tāmati Coffey (@tamaticoffey) August 28, 2014

Cunliffe won by being better than our impression of Cunliffe. #LeadersDebate #Vote2014NZ

— Christian Mair (@LuchaLounge) August 28, 2014

Given that most preferred PM polls have Cunliffe sitting at 10-15%, I think he should be pretty happy with 39% in a debate on true blue TV1.

— Di W (@di_f_w) August 28, 2014

Like who spends 75c on a txt these days? Who's making a profit there, the infrastructure to run the thing doesn't cost that.

— Sarah Wilson (@writehandedgirl) August 28, 2014

Crikey, David Cunliffe is very impressive. Looking calm, confident and assertive after his delay of chillaxation.

— Laura McQuillan (@mcquillanatorz) August 28, 2014

The minor parties leader debate is next up on Friday September 5.

Key and Cunliffe are due to go head-to-head again in a September 2 debate hosted by The Press in Christchurch (and streamed on Stuff). TV3's John Campbell wiill moderate a leaders' debate on September 10, then the two men will spar for a fourth and final time in a return to TVNZ on September 17. 

ckeall@nbr.co.nz

Follow @ChrisKeall