Reflections on the Miracle of Democracy at Work in the Greatest Nation on Earth

Newspoll: 55-45

Sky News reports:

On a two party preferred basis, Labor’s support is up two per cent to 55 and the Coalition’s is down from 47 to 45 per cent. The survey, published in The Australian, shows the Coalition has lost two points in the primary vote down to 40 per cent, while Labor remains steady at 48.

UPDATE: The Australian’s graphic here. John Howard is down 3 per cent on both performance satisfaction and better prime minister.

558 Comments

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  1. 501
    blindoptimist
    Posted Monday, November 12, 2007 at 1:59 pm | Permalink

    lol

  2. 502
    Observer
    Posted Monday, November 12, 2007 at 2:00 pm | Permalink

    Students in rural areas need highspeed broadband internet.

  3. 503
    Pancho
    Posted Monday, November 12, 2007 at 2:00 pm | Permalink

    Vaile mentions communists (among the tripping over words). In the context of an ‘education revolution’.

    And the tyranny of distance. A nod to G Blainey. Very nice Vaile.

  4. 504
    Steph
    Posted Monday, November 12, 2007 at 2:00 pm | Permalink

    Vaile is like a charisma vacuum.

    Hilarious that they threw communism in there.

  5. 505
    vera
    Posted Monday, November 12, 2007 at 2:00 pm | Permalink

    I’m being hysterical maybe but you never know how low the Rat would go to swing it his way….
    How about he makes Keilty set up a phony assassination attempt on him and then blames it on Muslim terrorists, then gets the army involved so he can thump his chest and pretend to be the big Man of steel hero protector of Austrailia? That would bring out in people all the nationalistic redneckand racist traits (80% of the population IMHO) They wouldn’t care if they couldn’t afford to pay the mortgage or if they were paid a pittance and had no job protection, just give ‘em someone less fortunate to hate and it’d be all over. The Rat and his stinking majority would have triumphed over all that is good in this poor excuse for a country.

  6. 506
    BV
    Posted Monday, November 12, 2007 at 2:00 pm | Permalink

    If Vaile is boring you, he can be viewed in more entertaining circumstances via this link:

    http://youtube.com/watch?v=MopllDL-BpU

  7. 507
    Rates Analyst
    Posted Monday, November 12, 2007 at 2:01 pm | Permalink

    Vaille-ium hey?

  8. 508
    mark-sydney
    Posted Monday, November 12, 2007 at 2:01 pm | Permalink

    Can’t listen to Vaile without thinking of Annabel Crabb’s comment that when public servants show him documents they have to use big print and lots of pictures! LOL!

  9. 509
    John Rocket
    Posted Monday, November 12, 2007 at 2:01 pm | Permalink

    at this point, the only thing I worry about is the successful assasination of Mr. Rudd… that’s the only thing that could win it for the Liberals.

  10. 510
    John Rocket
    Posted Monday, November 12, 2007 at 2:03 pm | Permalink

    …the party faithful mindlessly clapping at every nothing at all … _that_ reminds me of communist country, Mr. Vaile!

  11. 511
    Observer
    Posted Monday, November 12, 2007 at 2:03 pm | Permalink

    You can have a road as long as you put flag poles in schools and put teachers on performance pay.

    I bet Fox likes the idea of putting trucks off the road – great business policy.

  12. 512
    BV
    Posted Monday, November 12, 2007 at 2:05 pm | Permalink

    Vaile keeps saying “bio fool”. Hehehehe.

  13. 513
    John
    Posted Monday, November 12, 2007 at 2:06 pm | Permalink

    Ashley @ 437
    I for one would be furious if all existing HECS debts were halved. Having worked during my degree to pay portions of it as I went, and since then having paid it off as quickly as possible so I can now save towards a house, a cancellation of debt on those who haven’t made that effort would drive me nuts.
    If you’re not going to do something useful with your degree then why should the Government and people who have jobs pay for it?
    But the Labor Party that has abandoned Compulsory Student Unionism isn’t about to lose themselves the election by indulging in this sort of retrograde socialism.
    On this launch, I thought Costello was fine but Vaile is making me yearn for the relatively exciting days of Tim Fischer!

  14. 514
    John Rocket
    Posted Monday, November 12, 2007 at 2:06 pm | Permalink

    gees, the claquers haven’t even got their timing rights…
    If you can’t organise the party faithful to clap at the right moment, how can you run the country?

  15. 515
    Pancho
    Posted Monday, November 12, 2007 at 2:08 pm | Permalink

    John Rocket, in their defence, Vaile is just reading straight from the page in a monotone. I’m not sure where they are really meant to clap…they certainly don’t.

  16. 516
    John Rocket
    Posted Monday, November 12, 2007 at 2:08 pm | Permalink

    … the nation’s foootcha…
    and yeah, Australia sure will ‘get it’ if these clowns are re-elected!

  17. 517
    Observer
    Posted Monday, November 12, 2007 at 2:09 pm | Permalink

    Yeh – On Nov 24 – I’ll make sure he gets it!

  18. 518
    Kate Ellis for PM
    Posted Monday, November 12, 2007 at 2:11 pm | Permalink

    AM Says: “The Nationals are now irrelevant they might as well just merge with the Liberals.”

    The Nationals have been irrelevant for years. The only reason they are still around is because state Libs in Qld are completely useless. May be after 24 Nov they will implode and then disappear completely in a couple of terms. I predict to represent all the rednecks up there some other far right movement like One Nation will be back in Qld to replace the Nats.

  19. 519
    John Rocket
    Posted Monday, November 12, 2007 at 2:12 pm | Permalink

    Please be upstanding for Howard eh?
    Maybe that’s what he was lecturing the fallen woman in the mall…?

    and Janette’s there too, but not shaking anyone’s hands this time…

  20. 520
    rossco
    Posted Monday, November 12, 2007 at 2:12 pm | Permalink

    I do the sky news polls for a bit of fun, can’t take them too seriously, esp as they never disclose how many have voted. Current poll asks if the govt can come from behind. 58% say yes! Don’t know what planet they are on but go to

    http://www2.skynews.com.au/
    to cast your own vote and bring a bit of reality.

    I watch Sky News regularly. Being in WA, I get national, US, UK and NZ news live, not on 2 hour delay. There is a lot of repetition but at least it is news, not fluff. Some bias during the election but no worse than the rest of the media, inc ABC.

    Since getting Foxtel we hardly watch any free to air, except for things like the cricket on Ch 9, but hey we get the domestic 1 dayers and international cricket on Fox sports

    As for jobs for Howard after the election, there is no need for Rudd to offer him anything. I am sure his business cronies will be lining up to offer him seats on their boards. Personally I would love to see him on the Telstra board so he can help them with their broadband!!!

    Can’t say I have seen much of the ads for any party. Spending too much time on the computer reading blogs such as this.

    Keenan in Stirling will definitely go down for the Libs.

  21. 521
    Observer
    Posted Monday, November 12, 2007 at 2:12 pm | Permalink

    Rattus Rattus has forgotten the names of $weetie and Vaile!

  22. 522
    Pancho
    Posted Monday, November 12, 2007 at 2:13 pm | Permalink

    He’s cracking and clearing his throat all the time again.

  23. 523
    AM
    Posted Monday, November 12, 2007 at 2:13 pm | Permalink

    Start the LIEOMETER and SPENDOMETER/BRIBEOMETER, Rattus is on now.

  24. 524
    dave
    Posted Monday, November 12, 2007 at 2:14 pm | Permalink

    Ahh the body language is not positive. The THUMPING is coming and they know it…..

  25. 525
    Pancho
    Posted Monday, November 12, 2007 at 2:15 pm | Permalink

    And now the dry mouth…cue tongue darts…

  26. 526
    BV
    Posted Monday, November 12, 2007 at 2:16 pm | Permalink

    And there he goes again with his promise to destroy the welfare state. That’s got to score lots of votes!

  27. 527
    Alex McDonnel
    Posted Monday, November 12, 2007 at 2:16 pm | Permalink

    Vera – 505 I don’t think anyone would believe howard if he pulled a stunt like that. A number of us predicted he might do it during APEC but The Chaser gang spoiled any chance for him. If Howard did try on a fake assassination attempt, somebdy from this blog would probably carry out the real thing!!

  28. 528
    Apes Rule
    Posted Monday, November 12, 2007 at 2:18 pm | Permalink

    I’d love Ruddy, in his launch speech,to link”relaxed and comfortable” to Keating’s image of Costello swinging in a hammock to explain rate rises .Get rid of the myth of his good management

  29. 529
    Yo ho ho
    Posted Monday, November 12, 2007 at 2:18 pm | Permalink

    John @ 513

    Fischer was the guest speaker at my graduation from uni. I’ve never been so happy and angry in the same day….

  30. 530
    AM
    Posted Monday, November 12, 2007 at 2:20 pm | Permalink

    Nobody can keep up with the Liberals or follow them, the keep changing their election message trying to be everything to everyone, people are really confused.

  31. 531
    Observer
    Posted Monday, November 12, 2007 at 2:22 pm | Permalink

    We want back the Universities that we used to have!
    Not much appluse for integrating Aboriginals – thats Liberals for you? Duplicitous one day – racist the next.

  32. 532
    Rates Analyst
    Posted Monday, November 12, 2007 at 2:22 pm | Permalink

    I note “Go For Growth” is back, front and centre.

  33. 533
    BV
    Posted Monday, November 12, 2007 at 2:23 pm | Permalink

    I note “Go For Growth” is back, front and centre.

    Yep, but it’s on the lecturn not on the background, so could be easily cropped out for later posting clips. Brilliance Brian L!

  34. 534
    AM
    Posted Monday, November 12, 2007 at 2:32 pm | Permalink

    Howard is a spent force, his speech is confusing, he stands for everything, but really stands for nothing, he is weak in character and lacks morals, he really does have the nature of the devil.

  35. 535
    Mark
    Posted Monday, November 12, 2007 at 2:41 pm | Permalink

    BushfireBill @ 469

    Just read your post and a most splendid one it is. Amazing what a nicotine deficit can inspire! Oui!

  36. 536
    Dangerous
    Posted Monday, November 12, 2007 at 3:19 pm | Permalink

    Site back up now? Bloody wordpress error…

  37. 537
    The Doctor
    Posted Monday, November 12, 2007 at 4:29 pm | Permalink

    The most apt campaign song for the Libs must be Barry McGuire’s “Eve of Destruction”!!

  38. 538
    Richard Jones
    Posted Monday, November 12, 2007 at 4:43 pm | Permalink

    Which reminds me, how is your freedom fight going Bushfire Bill?
    Yes I have had problems getting the site up today. You have to keep trying.
    John Howard must be in a total panic by now. Imagine if he was too grumpy in the mornings to have breakfast with Janette before, how grumpy he would be these mornings. It’s the last days now. Better enjoy the view of the Opera House while you still have it.
    Wouldn’t it be gracious of Kevin Rudd to make John Howard our ambassador to Washington?
    John would then be able to sit down with George W and have afternoon teas and they could commiserate with each other.
    Unlikely scenario somehow.

  39. 539
    Lefty E
    Posted Monday, November 12, 2007 at 4:47 pm | Permalink

    Jeebus! Check the gobsmackingly shameless me-tooism from Howard on Rudd’s home saver accounts, and education rebates.

    Its a straight steal!

    Guess the “me-too” campaign line is over; along with the ‘go for growth’ slogan.

    Pathetic effort, Rodent. Thats game over.

  40. 540
    passthepopcorn
    Posted Monday, November 12, 2007 at 5:10 pm | Permalink

    what’s the story with this shared equity stuff and capital gains tax?

  41. 541
    BV
    Posted Monday, November 12, 2007 at 5:12 pm | Permalink

    This launch was as credible as Vaile’s skateboarding

  42. 542
    Spiros
    Posted Monday, November 12, 2007 at 5:12 pm | Permalink

    “what’s the story with this shared equity stuff and capital gains tax?”

    Put your investment property in your kid’s name, and you don’t pay capital gains tax. They don’t even have to live in it.

  43. 543
    passthepopcorn
    Posted Monday, November 12, 2007 at 5:16 pm | Permalink

    thanks, spiros – but this sounds a little too bizarre even for rattus rattus.

  44. 544
    Spiros
    Posted Monday, November 12, 2007 at 5:18 pm | Permalink

    Rattus rattus is looking down the barrel at a healthy dose of rattus sakus. He will do anything.

  45. 545
    Posted Monday, November 12, 2007 at 5:20 pm | Permalink

    Does the recent trend to use mobile telephones exclusively for most telephone communication impact on the accuracy of opinion polls? For example, I use my landline only for fax transmission and to call internationally (until the last usually more mature relatives start using Skype). I don’t answer land line calls as I know it is either sales calls or not so urgent calls.

    Shouldn’t the pollsters systematically sample mobile telephone numbers as well as landlines? If they do, how do they resolve the interaction of the age of respondent and the use of mobile telephone? Who has time to hang around a telephone line and answer opnion polls?

  46. 546
    passthepopcorn
    Posted Monday, November 12, 2007 at 5:24 pm | Permalink

    so, parents use equity in their home when a kid buys first home (and the kid still qualifies for 1st h/owner’s grant?!), the parents are basically “silent partners” and then if/when the home is sold, the parents do not pay capital gains tax on their proportion??
    jesus h christ, that’s disgusting. rattus, you are a disgusting and desperate plague-carrying creature.

  47. 547
    Blair
    Posted Monday, November 12, 2007 at 5:28 pm | Permalink

    If the pollsters were having serious problems with the increasing number of people who don’t have landlines, you would have expected this to have shown up in the most recent NSW and Victorian state elections, but there doesn’t appear to be much evidence of this – my recollection is that the major pollsters weren’t too far away.

  48. 548
    Posted Monday, November 12, 2007 at 5:34 pm | Permalink

    New thread. Seat: Bennelong

  49. 549
    Greeensborough Growler
    Posted Monday, November 12, 2007 at 6:29 pm | Permalink

    passthepopcorn @ 544

    This rattus sakos, is it anything like rattus shittus?

  50. 550
    BrissyRod
    Posted Monday, November 12, 2007 at 6:43 pm | Permalink

    C’mon seriously, when is the REAL Liberal campaign launch??

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