When Brown argued that "The biggest beneficiary of the Conservative manifesto are the richest in this country" Once again, Clegg was on the sidelines with little to say.
When Brown warned against "same old Conservative party of the 1930's, 1980's, and 1990's," Clegg demurred.
A questioner asked what would be done about people relying on unemployment benefits, Brown's responded that the first order of business was to create enough jobs to provide employment. Cameron criticized "welfare dependency" by beneficiaries and Clegg said that welfare benefits promoting "greater dependency on state."
Brown said, "I'm interested in social mobility." Neither of the challengers had anything to say about that. It was as though the jobs and fairness they both spoke of had nothing to do with economic class.
Brown told Cameron and Clegg: "You're not telling us that a million people would lose coverage under both of your proposals." The two showed unity in their silence.
After cleverly branding the Liberal Democrats as something different, an alternative to the old parties, Clegg surged in popularity after the first debate. Brought down to earth after the second appearance and greater scrutiny, Clegg then revealed his true colors.
Proposing an alignment with the party of Margaret Thatcher and her latest political heir is a betrayal of the image that Clegg advanced from the start of his campaign.
In the Liberal Democrat's Manifesto, Clegg opens by asking this question: "Doesn't it make you angry that after 65 years of red-blue government, a child's chances in life are still more determined by their parents' bank balance than by their own hopes and dreams?" But when Brown said that he was "'passionate about opportunities for children," the Liberal Democrat offered little support.
How angry will the Clegg supporters be when he joins the enemies of the National Health Service, social welfare, and jobs programs in the midst of a severe recession?
A senior campaign official with Labour summed up what may be the outcome of this election.
Lord Mandelson, Labour's election strategist, immediately warned in a campaign memo that "voters who flirt with Nick Clegg are likely to end up married to David Cameron" guardian.co.uk April 25
END
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