But Berlusconi's old arguments still resonate with many voters: that the coalition of six parties that Prodi heads is unstable and cynical; that past center-left governments spent a lot and did little; that the left is beholden to the Communists, who are part of their coalition.
"How is he going to get anything done when he will have Communists in his government?" Berlusconi asked.
Prodi hit back that Berlusconi had not lived up to his promises; had governed in a way that benefited him personally; and lacked the "seriousness" to be a suitable leader of one of Europe's leading nations.
Some Italian commentators have complained that the race, for all the serious economic problems Italy faces, has failed to come up with new ideas or new faces. Indeed, the debate on Tuesday had more than a whiff of the past in it: Berlusconi and Prodi had debated, if in a more free-wheeling form, in 1996.
Prodi went on to win the race, but his government was toppled two years later.
Mannheimer said he expected the undecided voters to make up their minds in the last days of the race, making the second and last debate on April 3 the decisive one.
RSS