This just goes to show the influence of polling on the political landscape.

When there is no news to report, just have a poll and the results then become the news.

Kim was (and still is) a decent and competent politician (if such a thing is possible) tbut nowadays politics is more like Australian Idol, where almost every nuance or statement is analysed, rated and polled.

Poor Opposition Leaders often make excellent Prime Ministers but we'll never know about Kim.

I think Kevin will do OK, but I think someone like Lindsay Tanner would have been ideal for the job.

Any consideration of ever trusting the ALP again disappears as I regard the State Labor Party and the antics[highly paid] the Labor members get up to. I wouldn't let them run a chook raffle , let alone a nation.
They are a bunch of overeducated wanna be's , not a genuine working man among them. Either that or they are union heavies looking for a soft ,well paid position. None of them give a damn about Australia or Aussies.I hope this Labor Party never gets it's hands on being government of this country because they will stuff it up just like they have stuffed the states.

Gosh mickijo seems to hate all things labor -

I actually wonder at mind sets like that - given the economy has been going gang busters for quite some time - and the states have a role in that like it or not - it does not make sense - even the liberals concede it took a labor gubment ( hawke , keating ) to free up the economy to allow them to do what they have done so far - you gotta wonder where the negativity comes from.

And then you have the assumptions about the capabilities - MJ ought to go through the CVs of all the pollies - few woulfd fill you with confidenec about their capactiy to hold down a real job - on either side of the house.

I note the mention of Tanner - I suspect he will get shadow treasurer - I have hear or seen any news yet but thats my guess

and on a side note in reference to Labor MPs antics - check it Santo Santoros $9000 a day 12 day junket to the US recently - I think he had to thank some one for something - now that is an "antic" if ever I saw one

All in all it wil be an interesting year

I congratulate Kevin on his appointment and would wish that he remains leader of the federal opposition for years to come.

Mickijo - while it's fair to say that that's the case with the state labor governments, I'm not so sure it's a fair call of Rudd...

Yeah, he comes across as being the overeducated toff sort, but look at his background and I think it would be fair to say he's worked his way up from blue collar beginnings.

Being overeducated isn't necessarily a bad thing if you also have experience of hardship and life experience to keep you grounded.

Plus, I think Rudd's toffishness as a diplomat in China would come in quite handy over the next few terms.

Col,

Have you read Rudd's maiden speech to parliament. Did you hear question time today?

Family values or Market values?

Industry Policy.

Some areas where there should be no market.

Did Howard look shaky? In my view yes. At last we have a fight.

Better look at your Bentley lease Comrade :)