Tony Abbott exposed on two fronts

IN one fell swoop, Tony Abbott has managed to expose both his unwillingness to compromise and his fear of debating the economy.

The first is  a concern many voters have about the kind of prime minister he might be and the second plays into Labor's attack ads that he isn't fit to manage the nation's finances.

The Liberal Party wrote to the Labor Party, calling for a second community forum, this time in the crucial state of Queensland.

Labor rejected the offer, again suggesting a debate on the economy instead.

It was a classic case of both parties wanting to play to their strengths, both parties posturing.

When Julia Gillard offered to meet the Opposition Leader half way and hold a debate followed by a community forum - a show of leadership to be sure - Abbott refused, thereby exposing himself as uncompromising and unable to debate the economy.

When the Prime Minister initially called for a debate on the economy some weeks ago, she did so only because her campaign had lost momentum.

Labor claimed Abbott refused because he did not have the ability to mount an economic argument, but the more likely answer appeared to be that he wanted to maintain a small target and prevent Labor kick-starting its campaign.

Now I am not so sure.

I thought running from a second debate was a bad look even when there was a strategic reason for doing so.

Now, by not even being willing to have a debate in conjunction with the Liberal Party's much-sought community forum, Abbott has revealed himself to be truly worried an economic debate would expose his weaknesses.

Or he simply won't compromise because compromise is not his preferred course of action. Or both.