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I think most people would agree with the winner, wouldn't they?\xa0

Andrew Webster deserved the Dally M Coach of the Year. \xa0\xa0

But back here we seemed to call it for Chris Hipkins.\xa0

I'll come back to that, but a couple of broadcasting notes for TVNZ, given Newshub's effort last night was in a completely different league.\xa0

- Get an audience that reacts because it brings life to a broadcast\xa0

- Get a moderator with a personality and some energy. At times Paddy Gower is a mile over the top and says a lot of random stuff. But he is engaged, he is having fun, and he wants to get the most out of every moment.\xa0

It is, and has been, in many respects the difference between TV3 and TV1 for years.\xa0

So, to the winner and I have a couple of questions;\xa0

Was Hipkins declared the winner by the so-called experts merely because he was more lively than debate one? And was a winner declared because people seem to want to have a result?\xa0

It's sort of like going to the doctor. It doesn't matter how innocuous your issue is, unless you get a script for pills or potions you feel ripped off. So who spends that long watching two men argue if we can't decide who won it? \xa0\xa0

The point being is Hipkins, if you want to give him the prize, simply argued a lot, at times, for the sake of it.\xa0

In arguing a lot, do you help your cause or are you simply looking to deflect away from your case and try and put the spotlight on the other bloke?\xa0

I am not saying he didn't win. But, to be honest, I am not sure I learned a lot.\xa0

They will both sort feral cats. Hipkins had a road cone in his student flat. Neither had taken MDMA.\xa0

The one prime ministerial moment I will give to Hipkins is when he refused to hand out knighthoods, saying it's not something a Prime Minister does in public. It's the difference between a person with the job and the responsibilities versus everyone else who can say what they want. \xa0\xa0

And that, I guess, is the trouble with debates. It's hard to find the balance between the stuff that needs debating, like the economy, and the stuff that doesn't like 'gotcha' questions and knighthoods.\xa0

The other point is this - are these things material? If you give the win to Hipkins does it move the needle? Will we see the gap close in the next poll? Given it's 10 points, do you save your hide and party with a debate?\xa0

I don't think so. And given there are two more debates, what the hell do they cover?\xa0

We know their favourite beaches, books and drug habits. Is there an original question left to ask? \xa0\xa0

Will you be back for more?\xa0

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