Farage Beats Clegg Convincingly.

[Gromit]

Who'd have thought it?


At the General Election televised leaders debate, Clegg did very well, probably beating both Cameron and Brown. Now in the EU debate, the underdog Farage has won both debates. I must admit the result surprises me.

[Jomlett]

Now the first polling reaction is coming in. YouGov's snap poll gives the debate to Mr Farage by 68% to 27%, a larger margin than last week.

[Ken4155]

I watched it and noted that Farage regularly got applause whilst almost everything Clegg said was greeted in silence. I must admit that if the time comes when we are asked whether we wish to remain in the EU or opt out, i would have to do some extensive studying before making up my mind. A lot of what Farage said, tonight, had me nodding in agreement, but that's not to say i take everything he says as true fact. What p**sed me off a little, was Clegg's closing minute. He seemed to infer that if we agreed with Farage, then we are a bunch of nationalistic homophobes who spend our days wallowing in nostalgia!! The cheek of the man.

[ichkeria]

Farage is an impressive performer in debates. Just depends whether people but his rather dubious arguments. I could say Farage won a debate against a weaker opponent whilst not agreeing with what he actually said for one moment

[askyourgran]

For some reason Clegg leaves me cold, he seems to have no real grasp of anything.

[Ken4155]

Forgot to add that, if and when the time comes, my vote in the referendum will not be dictated by which party i usually vote for in a general election. Which, i am sure, is how some people will vote.

[New Judge]

If that were the case, Ken, the result would be a resounding “Yes” to stay in. Far more people vote for the three main parties and all of them, despite the occasional bluster from some of their leaders, are desperate for the UK to remain a member.

I surprised that you’re surprised, Gromit, and more surprised you describe Mr Farage as the underdog. Mr Farage presents a sound argument backed up by facts. Mr Clegg presents a garbled argument, based on considerable self-interest and backed up by insults.

[Gromit]

In the unlikely event the British public get an in/out referedum vote, I hope Clegg isn't part of the staying in charm offensive.

I always thought the LibDems were in trouble come the General Election, but on this showing, the public have lost any affection for Clegg.

[New Judge]

And quite why they ever showed any is beyond my understanding. But, of course, he did perform well in the Brown/Cameron/Clegg TV spectaculars.

[Gromit]

New Judge,

Farage is prone to gaffes and is known to be a bit dodgy on facts and detail. Where as Clegg was supposed to be good at televised debates. So I percieved Farage as the underdog.

[seadogg]

Pleasure for later as we have been out, but its more difficult for Clegg now he is defending than it was at the last election. Farage is a good demagogue but what lies behind him is the frightening bit. Facing a man who must know that he and his Group of MPs may disappear in the next General Election Farage couldn't lose.

[ChillDoubt]

Farage Beats Clegg Convincingly.
Who'd have thought it?
--------------------------
Quite a few of us actually:
http://www.theanswerbank.co.uk/News/Question1324553.html

Predictions of Farage being underprapred and lacking resources beyond a fag packet proved somewhat foolhardy, eh?

[New Judge]

Yes Farage is prone to the odd gaffe (as are most politicians who don't rehearse too much), Gromit, but he's fairly sound on the basic important stuff.

Clegg suffers in EU arguments because he mistakenly believes that the scaremongering drivel he spouts is actually true. It's always difficult to convince people that incorrect information is true. He further suffers because, as has been mentioned, he treats anybody who disagrees with his views as contemptible idiots and dismisses their genuine concerns by insulting them.

Particularly as far as UKIP policies go this will prove a costly mistake and with any luck we’ll see the LibDems MPs holding their 2015 AGM in a phone box in one of their constituencies (hopefully not in the Hallam area of Sheffield).

[ChillDoubt]

Underprepared, even.......

[jomifl]

Strange, as I saw it Farage blustered as usual and just used his emotional arguments and justified none of his statements. It is sad that so many people who can read have been taken in by him. I thought Clegg just edged it despite repeating himself several times. The studio audience applauded Clegg's serious points although Farage's joky points were also applauded.
Cr@p standard of debate.

[Farriercm]

Liked The Bit when Clegg said that Farage was enjoying his Tax Payer Funded position in Brussels, Wonder who Pays Cleggs Salary?.

[jomifl]

Clegg's point was that Farage bites the hand that feeds him, whereas Clegg licks it.
Farage doesn''t do what he is paid to do which is to turn up and vote.

[jomifl]

NJ, I'm not sure what your definition of scaremongering is, Farage does nothing but scaremonger.

[DTCwordfan]

Agree with jomifl - were there two separate programs as to this on the google-box?

[New Judge]

Quick examples of Clegg scaremongering (not from tonight’s debate):

“3 million UK jobs depend on our membership of the EU”

“If the UK withdraws from the EU it will lose its trade with Europe”

“Inward investment to the UK will dry up”

“Businesses from outside the EU only trade with the UK because of its EU membership”

“All British ex-pats will be thrown out of other EU countries in which they have settled”

I could go on.

[askyourgran]

Does that mean all foreign ex-pats can be thrown back into their own country?