Look, I wouldn't call this "U.S.-style", it's more a matter of development of society and development of an open media culture. Up to 10 years ago, Germany had 3 tv stations. Now, everyone has cable or satellite with dozens of tv channels.
The media is far more unbuttoned than it used to be. A tv station broadcasts the debate, they have a hot property, they want to expand the amount of time they have eyeballs watching their station. What do you do? You do audience participation programs before and after.
As usual, it will take 3 or 4 days, before the final consensus arises on the debate. I think the fact that it came out even, is a win for the challenger, Stoiber. The reponse to the flood is a temporary bump, because both parties would have to respond to the natural disaster. The economy is a deeper problem. Do people want slick and smooth or substance. It remains to be seen.