This meant that both faced the same post-election choice.
'This is the most fundamental election choice that Scotland has faced for at least a generation.
Shorten characterised the election choice as "Malcolm or Medicare: you can't have both".
The consequence: a striking reluctance to level with voters about the post-election choice: for example, would the Conservatives reduce the size of the public sector beyond their current plans, or forego tax cuts if circumstances dictate?
But Labour said "the election choice is between Labour and the Tories".
However, it also works long before that post-election choice arises.
Taxpayers can therefore weigh the election choice based solely on whether the credit will be more beneficial on their 2008 or 2009 tax returns without worrying about whether different features of the credit will apply if the election is made to claim the credit in 2008.
Putting aside the surveys' accuracy, pollsters never ask about intensity: How deeply do the journalists believe in their election choice?
C1 Business Digest C1 EDITORIAL A22-23 EdiTheials: The civics of flu shots; an enforceable ban on bioterror; election choices.
Microsoft has until Business Digest C1 FASHION B11 EDITORIAL A24-25 Editorials: Peace across the Hudson; modest gains in Moscow; protecting parental rights; a dangerous masquerade; primary election choices.
While newspapers have always editorialised about election choices, I for one would want to see news coverage actually bring voters the facts so their voting decision can be well-informed.
