Not much happens in Canberra during election campaigns.  But fortunately the national capital is right next to the sunny town of Queanbeyan, in the electorate of Eden-Monaro.

That’s the — yes, you know it’s coming, we can’t help but say it — bellwether electorate of Eden-Monaro.

In a sign the Government is not going to die wondering about the highly-marginal seat, Wayne Swan joined Mike Kelly at the latter’s office in the entirely insalubrious City Link Plaza in Queanbeyan this morning. You’ll recall one of Julia Gillard’s first public appearances as PM was with Kelly three weeks ago.  A relatively small turnout this morning — Michelle Grattan was the only doyen to have made the effort to cross the border into NSW — meant the only microphones on the podium assembled in the food court were from a major news network and an ancient iPod with an after-market microphone attached.

Nearly drowned out by the whirring of the nearby coffee machine grinding beans and steaming milk, Swan’s prepared speech was heard with barely restrained patience by the waiting journos, and with good reason. It was an amalgamation of all his party lines, from comparing the Opposition Leader to Richie Benaud (groan), to emphasising the benefits of Labor’s proposed small business tax cuts. At least he didn’t say “bellwether”.

Kelly, who apparently lunches at the neighbouring takeaway every day, appeared less media-savvy than the Treasurer. He too discussed concerns for local business in his electorate, but with far fewer pre-fab soundbites and a speech composed of genuine concerns for his electorate.

After being grilled by the assembled hacks — Swan came to life when given the opportunity to hammer the “taxes up under Abbott, taxes lower under Labor” line — the pollies bought coffees from the takeaway, with which Kelly’s team had carefully arranged things 24 hours earlier.  They then sat down for a completely natural, un- choreographed cup of coffee (payment graciously waved away by the takeaway proprietor), to just chat about issues. Don’t worry, Mike, just ignore the throng of journos surrounding us, and the microphones inches from our coffee.  Let’s just shoot the breeze.

Kelly and Swan later went for a streetwalk, and were accosted by a less-friendly small business owner, but that’s all part of the glory of confected media events.  About 150 others similar events are going on every day in electorates across the country, with the same fixed smiles and stilted performances for the cameras. Democracy in action.