Key says he will only debate Labour leader Phil Goff and not the leaders of smaller parties. Goff says ok, if Key wont front up he wont either.

But hang on, hasn't Phil Goff missed an opportunity here? Should he as leader of the opposition insist Key take part in an election debate with other Parliamentary leaders, and insist to refuse is elitist and anti-democratic?

Is this a significant strategic blunder by both the Prime Minister and the leader of the opposition?