They really are terrified of him.

[Kaotac]

The Libs really are terrified of Rudd, aren't they? They want him to step down over some lunches two years ago.
They just chuckled at Kim, but now that Labor has Rudd, they are are scared. Nothing against the man, but the prospect of either Beazley or Howard was depressing. But now with the chance of Rudd as PM, I'm excited. I'd still like to see Bob Brown as PM, but Rudd is deffinetly someone who I can happily vote for.

[Matilda]

1. It was a really stupid thing for Rudd to do though.

The whole country knew that Brian Burke was shonky, mixed up in all
sorts of shady deals while he was Premier, and he'd even done time in
jail for it. Rudd cannot pretend he thought the guy was an honest
broker, and unless he can detail what was discussed at those meetings,
a lot of people are going to be wondering whether it did have something
to do with a later leadership challenge. That's not a sin in itself,
but given the way Burke did business, unfortunately there will be a
question about what he might have offered to do for Rudd, and more
importantly, what he wanted in return. And you can bet that he wanted
something, because this man was always out for himself.

And Rudd can't go on denying that he had any leadership ideas in 2005,
because he was touted as a possible leader when Latham spat the dummy
in January, and took a while to make up his mind that he wouldn't run
at that time. That was common knowledge, and it's damaging for him to
say it wasn't.

I hoped that Ian Campbell's revealed meeting with Burke would shut the
Libs up, but his sacking (sorry, resignation) has taken the heat off
Howard again.

Why doesn't Labor start asking what Howard discussed with the Exclusive
Brethren - they're a nasty, shady lot, and always up to dirty tricks.
It's a case of pot and kettle, but they need to find something to turn
the blowtorch on Howard.

[gemini_liberal]

2. Storm in a teacup

Most people seem to realise that it was nothing worse than a case of bad judgement.

"I resigned so Howard could attack Rudd on this" is not exactly the cleverest line for Campbell to say on this, because it's revealing that it's nothing more than an attempt to score politically.

This is nothing more than political desperation. A weaker leader may fall for it, but Rudd ain't weak. Rudd can handle it...

[gemini_liberal]

3. Brown PM

"I'd still like to see Bob Brown as PM"

I wouldn't. If the Greens were a major party, they'd sell out and compromise like the bigger parties, in order to get and maintain power.

[Kaotac]

4. I know..

I'm not saying I want to see the Greens as the majority party. I'd just like to see Brown as PM. I know that doesn't make sense, but basically, I'd like to see Brown switch to Labor (will never happen) so that he has a shot.
I also wish the Democrats weren't in such trouble and that Stott-Despoia wasn't resigning. Would love to see her as PM too.

[Matilda]

5. In fact, Bob Brown would probably be at his most effective

as leader of the party holding the balance of power in the Senate.

As Gemini Liberal said, PMs are always forced to do deals with various factions, trading off a
favour for one group against something wanted by somebody else, so however idealistic they might be
(and that's rare by the time they get to the top), they have to compromise. Bob Brown would be no
different, however much he might wish he could be. It's rare for somebody to get total power, as
Howard has at the moment.

But if the Greens get enough people elected in a very close race, they'll be in a position to insist
on the inclusion of some of their policies in return for their vote, which will be needed by the
government of the day to get any legislation through. Bob Brown would become a very powerful
player, and would have to sacrifice very little.

I hoped it would happen last time, but because of deals done by Labor to preference Families First,
the Greens were shut out.

[Esra Star]

6. Horse trading on the floor of the house. That's why it's called

politics.
No one person has a mortgage on all the knowledge or good ideas.
I really just posted to get a different avatar on this thread.

[gemini_liberal]

9. We will assimilate your avatar into an avatar of the Australian continent!

Resistance is futile! :P

[Esra Star]

12. Ooh look! Here it is again. And my post number shall forever

remain greater than yours. So there (raspberry)!

[Aussie leftie]

7. John Elliott leaves a lot to be desired

and the Libs made him president of their party. You dont have to be a Rhodes Scholar to know that Howard is a very worried man. Obviously the mind games are working.

[Matilda]

8. And I'd still like to know what was said between Howard and the Exclusive Brethren.

They're every bit as shady as Burke, but less obvious.

[Matilda]

10. Newspoll out tomorrow (Tuesday) has Labor ahead.

Can't get any links yet, but Tony Jones referred to the Newspoll out
tomorrow that shows that the Coalition has slipped another three points
on a two-party Preferred basis. He didn't mention any other figures.
This poll was conducted on Friday, when the Coalition had been getting
stuck into Rudd for three days.

This was during an interview with Peter Costello (transcription not yet
on the ABC's website), in which Costello tried desperately to paint a
picture reminiscent of Labor's "faceless men" of the fifties and sixties
should Rudd gain power. He included Brian Burke and Paul Keating as
among those who would secretly be directing policy behind the scenes.
That really was a pathetic effort on his part, and if that's the best
the Libs can do, Rudd's going to come out of this okay.

[PinkUnicorn]

11. They are confused

Out of character for your typical Liberal politician, Rudd actually admitted that he had met Burke and answered journalists questions. If it had been Johnny Jackboot or Alexander Conehead, the refrain would have been the typical 'I didn't know', 'No one told me' or 'I can't recall'. By admitting it the slime machine has nothing to go on.

They also can't dig to deep into the Burke case, because actual facts of the case may come out as opposed to a generic 'He was corrupt' (he was jailed on travel rorting, which would be rather embarrassing for the Liberals to bring up).

[Matilda]

13. Labor support is the highest for 11 years.

Rudd has lost a few points as preferred PM, but still well ahead of Howard. His ten point lead was
probably too good to last, so it's no surprise.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200703/s1863765.htm

Of course the figures will continue to fluctuate, but I think the Government smear campaign is
running out of steam. They are beginning to look as if they're flogging a dead horse. Costello
had an air of desperation last night, and Tony Jones couldn't conceal his grin. Rotten leftie
commie pinko ABC!