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The Forum > Article Comments > Time to call an election > Comments

Time to call an election : Comments

By Graham Young, published 8/7/2013

Of course Kevin Rudd doesn't want a 'negative campaign', because then he'd have to justify himself. Instead he's trying to rerun the 2007 campaign.

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spindoc. I could have believed that you actually worked for St Kev... but you forgot 'Folks'

To Bilmc.. yes it does come from the Editor.. but he allows a wide range of opinion to be published.. where else could you have Graham and John Pilger in the same issue... Great Stuff !
Posted by Aspley, Monday, 8 July 2013 11:17:32 AM
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Political commentators tell us -
"Suddenly Mr Abbott faces an opponent far
more popular than himself. The Opposition leader's
assurd run to election victory has now been radically
challenged." Especially as polls now show a
"big bounce for Kevin Rudd..."
It seems that Mr Rudd is turning the "fear campaign"
against Mr Abbott, portraying himself as the face
of re-assurance and Mr Abbott as risk.

Lets take a look at events thus far:

We know that for almost 3 years Mr Abbott has used
a wrecking ball strategy designed to bring down the
government as quickly as possible.

One commentator
pointed out, " We would have enormous respect for an
Opposition leader who played a clean game. Who challenged
a government's policies and pointed out their flaws,
who provided alternative policies that won broad
support. Mr Abbott has not played that kind of game."

We are now being led to believe that
"Nasty, negative, nay saying
Mr Abbott, has become "nice" Mr Abbott in the dark blue
suit, white shirt, blue tie."

Has he really? Can he be trusted?
This is a man who's admitted on national television
that he has problems with the "gospel truth."

Of course the Coalition wants an early election.

The longer Mr Abbott has to wait, he will have to do
more than just keep beathing to become the next PM.
It is not enough to have the job presented on a plate.
Commentators tell us that -

"Clearly, there has been huge advantages while in
Opposition in offerning a small target to Labor, but to
carry that strategy any further now is to treat voters
with contempt."

"Throwing out a government is not the same as electing an
Opposition. The electorate, like nature abhors a vacuum.
Without detailed policies it cannot properly assess who
deserves to govern."

As for Kevin Rudd? We too need to ask ourselves - has the
man really changed? Has he become a more "consultative"
PM? Will he lead the nation in the right direction?
A public debate
between the two men would certainly help make comparisons
between the two.
Posted by Lexi, Monday, 8 July 2013 11:27:18 AM
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This survey of leading Australian economists suggests big ticks for Labor's response to the GFC...the main criticism being of Swan's insistence on a surplus "come hell or high water".

http://www.smh.com.au/business/brickbats-and-praise-for-labor-20130707-2pk5d.html
Posted by Poirot, Monday, 8 July 2013 11:28:26 AM
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It comes as no surprise that Liberals (including the editor of OLO) should want an early election. Abbott has been baying that tune since the last election because like all Tories he felt robbed of his God-given right to govern.

Now that the polls show a huge rebound in the Labor vote Abbott is terrified that the election win he thought he was sleepwalking to is now a lot less than the certainty he thought. Heaven forbid, he may actually have to produce some real policy alternatives instead of the mindless slogans we have been subjected to for the past three years.

It's a bit rich for commentators to be asking if Rudd has changed when the real question is whether Abbott has changed. He is a man with a self-confessed problem with the truth. He strenuously fought against RU482 when health minister. He is (again self confessed) an admirer of that Catholic reactionary Santamaria. Indeed, there is a veritable catalogue of issues that Abbott has avoided being scrutinised on because of the constant missteps of the Gillard-Swan government. Tony, those days are gone. If you really want the job then you have a task ahead to convince us. The polls suggest that the great majority of Australians are distinctly underwhelmed at the prospect of an Abbott government.

All the special pleading by Graham and his mates is not going to alter that reality.
Posted by James O'Neill, Monday, 8 July 2013 1:14:16 PM
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Have to agree with Lexi and James O'Neil.
They spell most of it out for mine; apart from the fact it has always been the PM's prerogative, when to call the election.
If the coalition want to go early?
Probably a good reason Kevin Rudd to delay as long as possible, and watch Tony Abbott squirm under the spotlight of increased public examination of him, as the "alternative" PM.
And he does need to give us his election promises in writing!?
A delay could work two ways, for or against Kevin 11. Particularly, when then coalition releases all the fearless and frank opinion of him, by former Labour politicians.
Obviously Kevin 11 commands the support of much of the younger less thoughtful voters and much of the blogisphere.
He also has probably lifted his prospects quite markedly, by backing marriage equality.
And he clearly is in campaign mode, without first going into caretaker mode.
And hey that's not the convention or cricket old chap.
But then, what has fair play and inherent honesty, or what the average mug voter out there in mugsville thinks, ever had anything to do with Australian politics?
When all that seems to matter for most pollies is simply winning; and or, just the three year election cycle!
Rhrosty.
Posted by Rhrosty, Monday, 8 July 2013 2:53:22 PM
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Luddy, please mate, "I can’t see why this wouldn’t be in Rudd’s interest, given that he is clearly a lot more astute than Abbott", you missed the last word of that CONMAN.

To that I will agree. The fact that the entire persona of the conman Rudd is itself a confidence trick is known to any who have eyes that can see. The image that appears on TV, sickening though it may be, is his idea of what people want, not what he has to offer.

I think it is great the pretender Rudd wants to go flaunt his success in front of the world, if for no other reason than to rub it into the witch. The longer he struts about like the preening peacock he is, the more people will remember what an absolute dud he was & is today.

Interesting to see he is now anti boat people, & carbon taxes, just like he was a Fiscal conservative before 07. I shudder to imagine what he would be if Oz was stupid enough to elect him again.
Posted by Hasbeen, Monday, 8 July 2013 3:32:55 PM
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