Worst political mistake, possibly ever? Night News vol.1

Tonight begins night news. I will take the biggest story that is going on in the UK or any other European country where significant news is breaking early in the morning over there and late-night here. Basically if its big enough it will be a preview of something you'll probably read in tomorrow mornings paper or more likely read online like most people do now. Let me give you the cliff notes version of this story, apparently after the debate last Thursday night (this is the first time the UK has EVER had televised Prime Minister debates, I know I was surprised when I first heard that too) there was a Liberal Democratic aide who might have been talking to Nick Clegg on the phone and he left some important notes in a cab. If he were part of my campaign I'd fire his ass in a second. And well, just read... and this is the Sun, like our National Enquirer but slightly more credible. Here was the title of the article... LIB DEMS LOSE THE PLOT. Funny and accurate.

THE blueprint for Nick Clegg's top-secret TV debate strategy has been found in the back of a CAB.

It reveals the Lib Dem leader was painstakingly coached to copy David Cameron's style.

The dossier was found after last week's first debate - which boosted Mr Clegg in the polls.

It says: "DC (David Cameron) talks a lot in the language of values. We need to do this."

Notes ... Clegg urged to gloss over nukes policy

It also warns Mr Clegg to beware of getting caught out by the barmy Lib Dem policy to scrap Britain's Trident nuclear deterrent.

Fearing voters will spot the dangers of leaving us at the mercy of nuke-armed rogue states, the battle plan spells out in block capitals: "Avoid unilateral disarmament implication."

The dossier - bizarrely titled I'm Not Here Right Now - was left in the back of a cab on Thursday at about 10.30pm, soon after the end of the first election debate.

Last night the driver, who picked up the Lib Dem man from Parliament and drove him to North West London, said: "It's extraordinary that someone like him could just leave this stuff in a taxi.

"It's very sloppy to say the least and I thought people should know. That's why I've handed it to The Sun.

"The guy was on the phone during the journey and I think he was talking to Nick Clegg. He kept telling him how well he had done in the debate. He was quite theatrical in the way he spoke."

Dossier ... urges Clegg to copy Tory leader

The dossier was written by John Sharkey, chairman of the Lib Dem election campaign team and Mr Clegg's strategic communications adviser.

It includes blistering criticism of Mr Clegg's performance in rehearsals for last week's first debate - after which the Lib Dems soared in the polls.

He is accused of speaking too quickly, using too much jargon and being too hesitant. And he is blasted for being "offensive" by comparing assisted suicide to putting down a PET.

Mr Sharkey - ex-boss of ad firm Saatchi & Saatchi - repeatedly coaches his boss to try to appear "normal".

He is told to make himself more attractive to voters by distancing himself from Gordon Brown - who is to be characterised as "weird" and "old politics".

The document advises Mr Clegg to point out failings like " weird language, no real promises and lots of fudge". He is told to speak of opponents who do not live "in the real world" and who "don't understand".

Later he is told to "constantly stand back" from his Labour and Tory rivals. While the war book spells out a strategy of copying the Conservatives, Mr Clegg is at the same time ordered to try and rubbish Mr Cameron

Wealthy, public-school educated Mr Clegg is even told to launch a hypocritical CLASS WAR attack on the Tory leader. On the crucial question of whether the Lib Dems would do a deal in a hung Parliament, the leader is told to say "yes" - but only if his party's policies and values are put into practice.

Mr Sharkey reveals he is not happy with Mr Clegg's efforts on the hung Parliament question. "No convincing answers yet," he says.

Mr Clegg is even warned to stop falsely claiming Lib Dems were not tarnished by the expenses scandal.

Aides preparing him for the three TV debates - the second is tomorrow night - reveal themselves to be in a panic about his answers to even the most basic questions.

And his debating style is heavily criticised throughout the dossier.

The Lib Dem leader is told - again in capitals for emphasis - that he needs "more passion/conviction," to "speak more slowly" and that he is being "too repetitive."

Mr Sharkey also urges him to "look more relaxed" and to use "shorter, simpler answers".

He is also told to stop rambling - "Answer first... not discursive tour."

Mr Clegg is warned to make sure he interrupts Mr Brown and Mr Cameron and not to be hesitant about it.

Found in cab ... bizarre cover of Lib Dem dossier

The analysis also reveals how the Lib Dems stumbled on their leader's secret weapon during last week's debate - looking into the camera when answering questions.

"Addressing audience directly worked very well," Sharkey says.

The dossier reveals Lord Rennard was heavily involved in planning the Lib Dem manifesto launch, despite quitting as the party's chief executive last year following a row over his expenses.

Despite claims that Lib Dems champion women's rights, Lord Rennard demanded there must be a token female involved in the launch. In the event, there was just one woman on the platform.

Last night a spokeswoman for Mr Clegg said of the dossier: "It is private property and we'd like it back, please."

THE Liberal Democrat council in Nick Clegg's Sheffield constituency has formally asked the Government to let it give ALL asylum seekers the right to work there.

The Department for Communities and Local Government refused.

I don't know which mantra is best for this "the higher they soar the harder they fall" or "Rumors of my demise have been greatly exaggerated". Once the Thursday debates are over we shall know.