3 News holds leaders debate days before election

NEW ZEALAND HERALD: Labour leader Helen Clark and National's John Key played it safe and didn't go anywhere new when they faced off tonight in the second TV leaders debate.

For most of the time TV3's John Campbell was more excited than they were as he tried to trip them up over flip-flops and policy promises.

It didn't work because they were quick on their feet and they moved on to pick apart each other's policies in ways that they have been doing for the last three weeks.

Miss Clark accused National of selling state assets. Mr Key said he hadn't sold any.

Mr Key said Labour had nine years to make a difference and didn't do much. Miss Clark wheeled out the Government's record.

And they both claimed credit for visionary plans to protect New Zealand from the ravages of the international financial crisis.

If they're anywhere near right, no one has much to really worry about. Neither wanted to go near anything serious that might happen during the next term of Parliament.

But if these debates are more about presence than policies, then Mr Key again showed he could foot it with Miss Clark.

He didn't give any ground, tried to talk over her the way he did during the first debate and showed he had got his head around a lot of policy points.

Miss Clark was marginally more forceful and assertive about her determination not to let Kiwis down during tough times, Mr Key was more analytical with his plans for economic growth.

Labour's leader had to work hard on why she wasn't past her use by date and insisted her party had been rejuvenated.

Some of Mr Key's front bench were "about as fresh as an old snapper" she observed.

Mr Key doesn't have that problem, he can safely assure voters he's new and fresh, and he did.

Future coalitions presented the most promising field to Campbell to explore, but neither leader was prepared to put any cards on the table.

After the debate Mr Key told reporters he was sure viewers benefited from being able to hear "distilled" versions of National's policies, which was an optimistic take on the situation.

Miss Clark said she had the feeling National wasn't nearly as sure as it had been about being able to win the election.

Mark it a draw. This one won't be remembered for anything special.