The great debate – Brown vs Cameron.

The breaking news this evening is that Gordon Brown is due to take on David Cameron in a live TV debate in the run up to the next election.

Many commentators are now questionning the Cameron’s wisdom in goading Gordon into having a live debate, and think that the Conservatives have more to lose than Brown has to win.

And I’d agree – especially if you analyse the skills of both debaters using Aristotle’s rhetoric:

- Brown is strong on Ethos and Logos.  He carries Ethos due to the gravitas of his economic wisdom and greying hair.  His Logos comes from years of crafting arguments in the Commons debating Chamber.

- Cameron strong on Logos, and brings some Pathos, but is weak on Ethos.  His Pathos comes from a connection with a certain audience – i.e. the middle classes – however, this isn’t particularly strong.  And he’s certainly weak on Ethos.  His baby-face, and evident lack of experience doesn’t go down well at all with a large tranche of voters.

So on the face of it, when analysing the skills of each debater, I’d say Brown has the upper-hand – and is likely to win.  Unless, that is, Cameron greys up a little, and suddenly finds 20 years of life experience.