06 August 2010

BRASIL:1ST UPDATE: First Presidential TV Debate Called "Boring", Badly Beaten By Soccer.

LINK CHANGE/ M.PRESS/ 7 Aug./    The first presidential debate averaged a low 3 points in Thursday night ratings with analysts calling it "boring." A soccer match opposite it registered a 31!  The four main candidates participated in the first televised presidential debate as polls show the ruling party's candidate Dilma Rousseff, 62, recently pulling away with a double digit lead (10%) over former Sao Paulo governor Jose Serra, 68. Analysts say there was no clear winner in the first TV contest. A candidate must win the 3 October election by more than 50% or a run-off will be held four weeks later. Four more TV debates are scheduled.