Australia Poll Rivals in TV Clash

As the election approaches, Australian Prime Minister, John Howard, and his opponent, Labor leader Kevin Rudd, have faced each other in a TV debate. In the live, 90 minute clash, the two sparred over economic policy, climate change and troop levels in Iraq. Both politicians grew more irritable as the debate went on but neither was able to land a knockout blow. Opinion polls put Mr. Rudd ahead of the long-serving Mr. Howard at present.