Saturday, May. 08, 2010
3. Debating the Debates
The U.K.'s premiere televised election-campaign debates won't be remembered just for Clegg's attention-getting performances. Taking place over three consecutive Thursdays in April, they energized the electorate and drove the political conversation forward. Viewing figures were nothing short of stellar, with peak audiences of more than 10 million some nights. Heading into the third debate, pundits predicted that Cameron's lightweight performances up to that point might hurt the Conservatives at the polls, but his assured handle on the theme of the economy gave his somewhat flagging campaign a much needed boost. It may have taken Britain 50 years to catch up to America, but many Brits now hope televised debates are here to stay.