Canberra Sceptic

In April 1998 the ALP with Beasley had almost a two percent lead on the co-coalition and in a properly working democratic system should have easily won, having the support of the people.

In May 2001 Howard won with racist remarks about Muslims and the luck (for him) of the American disaster and the Afghan war. The next election Latham had serious skeletons in the cupboard, when these were exposed he lost his support.

A 1% or 2% change in one poll in not significant they are subject to error. A continued lead in many polls is indicative as is a 5% lead. ALP was consistantly ahead in polls before Rudd was leader.

Rudd is extremely capable having had a successful career first in the diplomatic service, then ran a consultancy. He is probably the most professional man we have had as an aspiring PM. He is not just a career politician as the others all are.

Yes Howard is a shrewd poli, but Rudd is also capable, he may well be Howard's match.

Labor has one Rudd,but the rest are duds.Perhaps Gillard and Garret the two GG's will bring us the Trojan Horse of socialism and obsessive compulsive greeny disorder that will bring us all asunder.

The public are tiring of the Coalition however Labor have but one shining star with no track record.

As I explained Rudd has a good track record not as a parliamentarian, but as something far more important, real world experience in the diplomatic service and as a private consultant. He understands China to the extent that he speaks their language - does Howard or even Downer have any of that?

As an engineer with an electronics background I can assure you that Senator Conroy is way ahead of his Liberal Party ministers in understanding the reality of modern electronic communications. And when it comes to economics there are far more important indicators than merely interest rates and bogus unemployment figures - education, the ability to think creatively, skilled management of workers, real government support for industry, the things that actually make the economy and which other countries do better than us.

The Howard government cut support for all of these but fostered a myth that they were actually good for the economy. The environment is also important, spoil that and nothing can grow and we starve.

Democratic socialism actually worked very well in Sweden, Netherlands, it is easy to criticise their performance at the moment but we should be envious of their manufacturing industry.