[ELECTION 2005] First Debate

Stipe Mesić (Stipe Mesic) and Jadranka Kosor had their first televised debate tonight at RTL Televizija.

It is too early to make some sort of coherent impression, but I would say that Mesić performed slightly worse than expected. He was too much on the defensive and failed to exploit many opportunities to connect Kosor with HDZ and shadier chapters of that party's past. However, he was very confident and very presidential in his answers which is something Kosor failed to do. She looked more like a nervous university student at oral exam than stateswoman. I don't think each of the candidates can claim victory. Both did well in keeping their base while at the same time failing to sway anybody's opinion. If I have to pronounce the winner, I would say Mesić on points.