Is Abbott the new Clegg?

The hustings have started for the Labour leadership election and apparently Diane Abbott has been the clear winner in most of the confrontations.

It reminds me of the response to Nick Clegg's performance during the TV debates of the general election. Diane Abbott is also getting the most favourable media coverage, as did Clegg.

In the end this attention didn't bring great success to the Liberal Democrats (they lost six seats). Perhaps the same will be true of Diane Abbott, but somehow I doubt it - there is a feel of momentum in her campaign. It will be hard to keep that up until September, but she might just do it.