Abstract
In New Zealand televised leaders’ debates in the run up to an election are a regular feature of election campaigns. In the past these debates have been seen as critical in the campaigns of which they were part. In July 1984, for example, the National Party’s Robert Muldoon, Prime Minister since 1975, jousted with David Lange, the leader of the resurgent Labour Party. In a famous moment during the debate, when Mr Lange was gaining the upper hand, the Prime Minister leaned towards the Labour leader and growled sarcastically, ‘I love you, Mr Lange’. It was a startling comment, and to many viewers depicted Muldoon and his party as tired and well past their use-by date. Lange’s party romped home.
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Notes and References
Richard Johnston (1998) ‘Issues, Leaders and the Campaign’, in J. Vowles, P. Aimer, S. Banducci and J. Karp (eds), Voters’ Victory?, Auckland University Press, p. 70.
Peter Aimer (1997) ‘Leaders and Outcomes: The Clark Factor in 1996’, in J. Boston et al. (eds), From Campaign to Coalition, Wellington, p.145.
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© 2000 Palgrave Macmillan, a division of Macmillan Publishers Limited
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Clark, H. (2000). The Worm that Turned: New Zealand’s 1996 General Election and the Televised ‘Worm’ Debates. In: Coleman, S. (eds) Televised Election Debates. Palgrave Macmillan, London. https://doi.org/10.1057/9780230379602_7
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1057/9780230379602_7
Publisher Name: Palgrave Macmillan, London
Print ISBN: 978-0-333-73263-2
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