The Australian reports that Newspoll has produced its second successive result of 57-43 in Labor’s favour. The Prime Minister’s approval rating is up two points to 68 per cent, while Brendan Nelson’s preferred leader rating is down two points to 12 per cent. More to follow.
We also have the weekly Essential Research survey showing Labor’s lead steady on 58-42. Also featured are questions on issues deemed important in determining vote choice, economic conditions, interest rates and China’s human rights record. The first of these provides at least some good news for the Coalition if you know where to look: Labor’s core strengths of health and education are found to have fallen in importance since January, while economic management and taxation are up (though so is environment). There is also an echo of the Gippsland by-election in the substantial increase on “Australian jobs and the protection of local industries”.
UPDATE: Newspoll graphic here. Brendan Nelson’s disapproval rating up from 42 per cent to 48 per cent.
969 Comments
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Criticised every single one of th 5 participents in Russia Georgia war in #640 , without any defendents of any of them A complicity of failure , with only a red Bear th winner
Also note there were some critics here on PB today wrongly claiming Kevin Rudd allegedley has no vision for Murray Darling water , and allegedly has done little Will reply to that , but surely isn’t invasion of Georgia how West and its intellegentsia’s “rationalized” Soviet Empire’s take over of Hungary etc etc A
A “price” in economic terms should be th minimum penalty for Russia by th West , otherwise what ‘message’ does it send , even amonst non aligned countries let alone alligned ones and speciicaly its internet informed readers
Diogenes @ 603 -
Judging by the American’s hysterical reaction, all of this came as a complete surprise to them.
And yet America’s greatest (just ask Downer) Secretary of State was in Georgia only a week or two before this all blew up. She must have been too busy playing that damn piano to notice.
And Speaking of the Idiot Son, I was fascinated by his lengthy thesis in the finer points of the Georgia-South Ossetia conflict in Rupert’s Sunday rag. Column after column inch displaying his vast knowledge of the subject, yet not a single mention of the real roots of the conflict – Russia’s determination not have have it’s vulnerable southern flank fall under NATOs spell, and its desire to gain an even greater strangle hold over Europe’s energy supply by controlling the one oil pipeline in the region that doesn’t cross its own territory.
But I’m sure it was just the subs stuffing up the editing, and not a display of Alexander’s ignorance/facts fudging to protect old friends.
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Al @ 605 -
I think it’s not so much a sign of a weak intelligence community in Washington, but a painfully weak presidential administration
Stupid quote of the year must be Rice’s finger waving reminder to the Russian’s that it’s no longer 1968 and they can’t go round toppling regimes anymore. I doubt the Russian’s were taking their cue from Prague 1968, but Baghdad 2003. What the fools in Washington (and, until recently, Canberra) don’t get is that when the powerful trample on the rule of law others tend to take it as permission to do as you do and not as you say. Which become doubly ‘inconvenient’ because you’ve lost all moral authority to then object.
Wonder if the Poles are having seconds thoughts about having so enthusiastically joined the CoW. Not only did they get screwed by Bush on access to Iraqi oil, but it’s given their former masters unfortunate ideas!
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Adam @ 622 -
Mad Mac would’ve told Sarkozy to stay home and sent in the marines.
While i hope that ‘Mad Mac’ never gets anywhere near the Oval Office, I agree on the suggested course of action, unless the Americans want to kiss the former Warsaw Pact states goodbye, especially those that have ethnic Russian populations and/or oppositions that are inclined toward dictatorship or peoples ‘democracies.’
Though I’d send in more than the Marines. A carrier strike group with the addition of a helicopter carrier or two on a um…goodwill visit
and maybe a spot of exercising with the locals, would give the Ruskies something to think about. Military, very, very dumb because bottled up in the Black Sea they’d be sitting ducks, but this isn’t about firing any shots in anger, just reassuring new friends.
President McCain?
How exactly does McCain get to 270 electoral college votes?:
http://pollster.com/
The current readership figures from Morgan:
http://www.roymorgan.com/news/press-releases/2008/787/
Thomas, I thought you were going to give us the bad news from NZ but at least their confidence levels are rising.
MayoFeral
#652
“yet not a single mention of the real roots of the conflict – Russia’s determination not have have it’s vulnerable southern flank fall under NATOs spell, and its desire to gain an even greater strangle hold over Europe’s energy supply by controlling the one oil pipeline in the region that doesn’t cross its own territory.”
That was in my original post #584 last nite , but been skirted around today and you’ve re emphasised it even more succintly Why USA could not see this coming when as per my $640 they’ve been illegally border crossing for months provoking does not inspire confidence in there strategic planing , let alone regard for soverveign Georgia
Agree with your last 2 paragraghs re possible goodbye ‘to former Warsaw Pact states’ , I called it “appeasement’ , and still do
ShowsOn
what Adam may hav meant is americans ar getting a choice between an oiliness Alexander Downer vs a Billy McMahon , dolly giving pretty speechs whilst Rome burns and Billy sending troops
654 Doesn’t look like ‘The Australian’ has quite reached world domination with those Mon to Friday figures.
Adam 648
I agree with you on Afghanistan/Pakistan. Southern Afghanistan will never be stabilised as long as new Taliban recruits and supplies can be ferried over the mountains. The training Mudrasses still exist in Pakistan after all. That means cleaning up the Pakistan army which in turn means dealing with Musharif.
As for McCain, I think his election as president is neither desirable nor likely.
TP
More people read the Adelaide Advertiser than The OO. That’s hilarious.
I heard the lovely Kate Ellis interviewed from Beijing by Roy and HG.
They wanted to know whether she thought it helped China run the Olympic Games given that it was a police state! She side-stepped it nicely.
They also wanted to know how much she was prepared to pay per Olympic medal. Given our fairly lacklustre performance so far, they reckon it’s about $14M per medal. They want her to have a probe into the team.
You can always tell when Mike Rann is in trouble because he threatens to lock people up. This time it’s Queenland farmers who he labels as “terrorists” and “treacherous to the national interest” (which he confuses with his own electoral interests) for stealing SA’s water.
Jail water thieves, says Rann
http://www.news.com.au/adelaidenow/story/0,22606,24185947-5006301,00.html
Interesting to see that Adam still thinks Obama can’t win. So I checked the betting; here is the latest:
Sportingbet – Obama 1.38 / McCain 3.00
Betfair – Obama 1.52 / McCain 3.25 / Hillary 50.00
I still don’t trust the Americans to vote for a black president in secret, but I hope Obama does win.
Well, this summarises it better. http://pollster.com/
Even if McCain wins ALL of the current “too close to call” states, Obama still wins. What chance is there that McCain will win ALL of the current too close to call states?
Both candidates are currently tied in Florida. If Obama wins Florida, it is impossible for McCain to win.
“You can always tell when Mike Rann is in trouble because he threatens to lock people up. This time it’s Queenland farmers who he labels as “terrorists” and “treacherous to the national interest” (which he confuses with his own electoral interests) for stealing SA’s water.”
Oh Dear, I hope he’s not coming to lock up the Former Liberal Leader Bruce Flegg who admitted during the last election campaign to having a large shareholding in Cubbie Station. Hope he’s sold the shares by now as he doesn’t handle angry Premiers well at all.
http://www.abc.net.au/rural/news/content/2006/s1724108.htm
Well ShowsOn,
4 states decide it:
Michigan
Ohio
Colorado
Virginia
Obama needs to win 2 of the 4 to win. He most likely will win Michigan so he needs to win 1 of the other 3 to win.
The odds reflect the probability in August of him doing that – as to November we will see…
Ron @ 656 -
Why USA could not see this coming
Maybe the State Department/CIA subcontracted the work to Alexander Downer. They probably looked at a map and figured Cyprus is virtually Georgia’s neighbour so he’d be able to keep an eye on things in his spare time. That’s assuming they weren’t confusing it with that other Georgia. You know, the one that commie Jimmy Whatshisname came from.
re possible goodbye ‘to former Warsaw Pact states’ , I called it “appeasement’ , and still do
It is. It’s not just that this will embolden Putin to put the screws on the other states, but it will make their citizens seriously think about voting for parties aligned with Moscow to avoid becoming collateral damage. The old slogan “Better dead than Red” was only popular where the likelihood of having to abide by the motto was remote.
Who, for example, would want to be a Ukrainian – the likely next domino to get the Putin treatment – ATM. Or a citizen of one of the Baltic states which have large numbers of unhappy ethnic Russians. Frankly, these have often been treated badly in recent years so would be ripe to be used as agitators.
Not surprisingly, the Ruskis are not amused.
“In reality this project has no relation to the Iranian missile threat but is aimed against Russia,” Interfax quoted the senior Russian ministry source, who it did not identify, as saying.
US missile shield aimed at us – Russia
http://www.news.com.au/adelaidenow/story/0,22606,24186443-5005962,00.html
MayoFeral
With Ukraine there is already a pro Russian eastern half , and there was a pro eastern half Presidential candidate with massive voting support Warnng signs ar there already and Georgia is almost ‘green’ light , if a ‘pretext’ or ‘provocation’
can be created
We rightly mention cossies lack of ‘ticker’ and commonsense , and regretably I see one r th other missing in bot Pres candidates , and with George Bush I wonder whether there has ever been a more incompetent President Rather worrying is how “rationalized” issue has been taken in West almost overall , as if Putin is fine
Here is an interesting exchange from the Senate Inquiry into Fuelwatch.
http://economics.com.au/?p=1710
What a ridiculous statement. McCain has plenty of ticker, he’s one of the most courageous men in American public life. Obama is a phony who stands for nothing, just an empty suit with nice words coming out. Anyone can buy a good suit and hire a good speechwriter. I would like to see a Democrat President, Gore or Clinton would have been fine by me, but Obama is just a fraud, and by November that will have sunk in among the key demographics in the key states.
So which states currently listed here for Obama is McCain going to win?
http://www.pollster.com/
(Hint: it will have to be some of the light blue ones, because even if McCain wins all the yellow ones Obama still wins).
I think McCain would’ve been a great President back in 2000, but since then he has flip flopped on nearly every issue you care to name, including courting religious fundamentalist wackos just to get the support of the Republican establishment.
Amigo Ronnie,
the Russians are simply returning the volleys to the US and the West.
Exhibit A: Dubya said said: “you are either with us or against us”. The Russia FM said: “US has to choose between Georgia or Russia”.
Exhibit B: Condie said this is 2008 not 1968. The Russians said what about 2003
Exhibit C: US missile shield in Czech, Poland and Eastern Europe against rogue states. So the Russians said you want a rogue state, so I give you one.
Exhibit D: NATO is bringing the Barbarians to the front of the Russian gate, namely Ukraine, Georgia. What do you expect the Russians to do. Open the gate to welcome the barbarians?
Exhibit E: The Russians are simply executing the Neocon Doctrine of “Regime Change”
Exhibit F: From Russia with Love with Shock and Awe.
Exhibit G: Those military planes with “humanitarian aids” that are pouring into Georgia. Are they?
The US has no moral high ground to lecture the Russians or the Chinese. Unfortunately, Georgia has become the pawn and get trampled on the ground.
BTW: For all we know PM Putin could have started with Rasputin and became a Putin after discarding the RAScal bit.
A propos of nothing, today is my birthday.
I have shifted from one demographic to the next.
No longer in the “35-54″ age group, I am now a member of the “55-and-over” age group.
After 55, apparently, they stop counting.
I presume this is because they reckon you could “go” at any moment. As in shuffle-off, kick-the-bucket, expire.
When my wife said to me “You are now officially an old man,” I retorted, “And I intend to remain a grumpy one. Possibly even grumpier.”
Peter Costello, expect no quarter from Bushfire Bill.
Age doth not mellow me. It only makes me crankier.
Youse have been warned.
Well, the huge problem is that Russia should be part of NATO, and not part of APEC, which was given away as a bizarre consolation prize at the end of the Soviet Union. Russia still thinks NATO is against them, when they should be part of it.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Have a great night!
#670 – [Obama is just a fraud,] – There is no truth in the rumour that AIC is one of Amigos in disguise.
I get my US poll data here:
http://www.electoral-vote.com/
I think McCain will carry all the states that Bush carried in 2004 except NM. I’d give Obama some chance in CO, IA and NV, but these are all small states. On the other hand I think McCain has very good prospects in MI and PA. I don’t think Obama has any chance in FL or OH.
BB, did ‘The Australian’ give you a signed, advanced copy of ‘Pete’s Follies’ to review for them in honour of the great day?
“George Bush I wonder whether there has ever been a more incompetent President…”
Maybe he achieved exactly what he intended to? Made a whole bunch of defence industry and oil industry friends very rich.
with all this talk of fighting perhaps both sides should have a quiet listen to this piece
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GlYynHmE8b0&feature=related
“ANZAC Legend Begins – And the Band Played Waltzing Matilda”
ps happy birthday bushie
I agree that McCain would have been a better Prez had he been elected in 2000 than he will be in 2009, but he is still vastly better than a windbag like Obama. He has convictions and the courage of them. Obama has neither. Note that my objection to Obama is NOT that he is too left-wing – although that may be one of the perceptions that will cost him the election. My objection is that he is a phony with no qualifications at all to be Prez.
That’s one of the more laughable descriptions possible about McCain. He has changed his position on so many things… conviction just isn’t in his nature any more.
Sounds like a description of our current PM!
Adam , I didn’t say that at all, suggest you reread what I said (plus add typo ommission of “o”) I said one lacks ‘ticker’ and one lacks commonsense Now I’ve previously mentioned th one lacking ticker is also a snake oil salesman and also flip flops under pressure
IF Putin attempts , what i suspect he’d like to do , and destabilises Ukraine and Baltic states in next 4 years , and THEN if he chooses to move , he will move on them (using “pretextes & provocatons”) , and will treat USA weakness of a snake oil saleman of no ticker with contempt , and further Putin will not know what th ‘maverick’ will do Glad I do not hav to vote for a oiliness Downer vs a Billy McMahon
Reagan weakened soviet Empire partly via its economic weakness , ironic that in new “enegy world’ where Russia has money , that Empire may return backed by enough enegy monies to finance its armies
with all this talk of fighting perhaps both sides should have a quiet listen to this piece
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GlYynHmE8b0&feature=related
“ANZAC Legend Begins – And the Band Played Waltzing Matilda”
ps happy birthday bushie
Do hey do a poll on committed people are to get out and vote on the day broken down by party? We saw a number of ALP? former voters not bothering to vote in the NT?
on how committed
What’s Rudd changed his position on A-C?
Good link Steve re 669.
It is amazing, the waste of energy from the liberals throwing mud at a service which provides consumers with information, all for cheap political points.
What hope for the fiberals when they’ve got Erica Betz asking the questions lol.
Gus
“And the Band Played Waltzing Matilda”
that Gus , is almost my favourite emotional song of our Diggers
Ah a post from A-C I see!
If you go to the zoo you are not to meant to jump the fence and join the animals A-C lol.
And the Irony of their WA leader pledging to retain it in WA if they win the Election.
The Fibs don’t know if they’re Arthur or Martha on this
Check him out on the WA Election thread – he’s out of his depth
Ron
had the pleasure many many moons ago to be Eric Bogles roadie for awhile
(think it was the kitchen renovation tour)
the best anti war song i have ever heard,was just telling mrs g how when eric played it live,nary a dry eye could be seen.
President Saakashvili of sovereign Country of Georgia said last nite:
1/ “I’ve staked my country’s FATE on th Wests rhetoric about democracy and liberty”
THAT message will hav been heard by all of Ukraine and Baltic States
USA lame response has been heard by all of Ukraine and Baltic states (& Russia)
Appeasement
2/ President Saakashvili last nite intepreted US aid operation of troops being sent by USA as a decison to defend sovereign Georgia’s ports and airports (where there ar presently no Russian troops)
IN RESPONSE
USA administration said “We will NOT be protecting th airports or sea ports , but we will certainly protect OUR assets if we need to”
Great , not even a financial penalty
and I hear those pleading words from a sovereign democraticaly elected President “I’ve staked my country’s FATE on th Wests rhetoric about democracy and liberty”
As Ron said above, the first casualty of war is truth. The propaganda from both sides cannot be trusted without independent verification, which makes Human Rights Watch, Red Cross etc very valuable.
HRW accuses Russia of using cluster bombs on a Georgian town, killing eleven civilians. Cluster bombs are considered a “no go” by most of the civilised world. This their first use since Israel, that other bastion of human rights abuses, used them on Lebanon in 2006.
Group: Russians drop cluster bombs in Georgia
http://edition.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/europe/08/15/georgia.rights/
Um, in 2000 I’d agree with you. Now he is saying anything.
You mean like the guy who has currently been president for nearly 8 years?
gus,
I love the song and I appreciate that it’s become an iconic theme, but No Man’s land is Bogle’s best song. Never fail to tear up when I hear it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-OjxMQHYo3U
Gus
#693
“the best anti war song i have ever heard,was just telling mrs g how when eric played it live,nary a dry eye could be seen.”
Was very lucky Gus , was in Melbourne at MCG on anzac Day , 88,000 people present , diggers from all wars parade right around ground , everyone on seats clapping INCLUDING all young peoples , and song ‘and band played watz sing matilda’ with its messages of pride and sadness and war futilitys , and for a crowd that was there to be happy it was a moment
ShowsON
yes , except more grades less ticker sweeter voice , like swapping bad orange flavoured icecream for bad baba flavoured icecream We ar lucky we live in ‘oz’ first up , and have a decent & responsible PM
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