During the week, I read a pathetic opinion article on the ALP finally offering a credible candidate to run against Paul Keating instead of the usual left wing wacko.

This opinionist claimed that the Asian's who dominate the electorate only vote for Howard as he is the Prime Minister. How nice to assume that Asian's would never vote for the Liberal Party. This writer seriously needs to learn of former NSW Upper House member, Helen Sham Ho who is a Chinese woman.

I also remember a bi-election where a former ALP politician kept telling ethnics that Liberals are hater's of ethnics to scare them into voting Labor. I also remember telling an Asian family that the Liberals have the only Asian in state parliament. They voted Liberal.

Spider,
I remember a certain politician who one said that the sight of Asian faces on the streets of Sydney made him feel uncomfortable.

He later voiced no objection to an inflammatory inaugural speech made by a certain Ms Hanson in parliament and went on to woo her supporters.

I think his name was John or Howard or something like that.

Wobbles,

Pauline Hanson did say some silly things however, if it is her maiden speech you're referring to, there is nothing wrong with it and nothing like portrayed by the Bolshevic media we have.

Rache: "I thought that this attack on Rudd was a cheap shot that won't amount to much in the long run..."

I agree, Rache.

Not only is it possible that it won't amount to anything in the long run, but if Rudd handles it well, it could even work to Labor's advantage.

John Howard has shown that he is a master of avoiding responsibility for his screw-ups. I can't recall ONE situation in which he apologised for something he did wrong. So if Rudd can cop this on the chin and apologise, then that's yet another point towards him as far as I'm concerned.

I'm not sure which state you live in, but here in QLD, Peter Beattie has screwed-up enough times to warrant an election loss many times over. But he's still the Premier, and in my humble opinion, this is not only due to a hopeless QLD opposition but the fact that he admits when he screws-up and apologises - and then we all move-on (most of us any way).

The fact that Howard can't even admit when he's wrong (let alone apologise) not only shows that he is less of a person, but it makes it easier for people to feel resentment towards him for issues that are well in the past.

So let them continue their personal attacks if that's all they've got left, it won't do them any good. Especially when it comes to those in the electorate who have the maturity to rise above it.

Many people are skeptical that Maxine Mckew can beat Howard in the upcoming election. But I'm not so sure. Let's take a quick look at the scenario...

REASONS WHY HOWARD COULD WIN BENNELONG:

1. He's a seemingly formidable politician who has managed to hold the seat for many years.

REASONS WHY HOWARD COULD LOSE BENNELONG:

1. Howard's wins in Bennelong have been increasingly marginal over the last few elections.
2. Polls have shown that the Bennelong electorate disagree with the Worstchoices legislation.
3. Polls have shown that Rudd is Bennelong's preferred Prime Minister.
4. Polls have shown that Labor is ahead of the coalition on a two-party preferred basis in Bennelong.
5. Maxine McKew is a trusted journalist and a fresh female face for an electorate who have consistently voted-in a man who is growing old and tired.

Yeah sure, polls are just polls and they often don't mean much. But it's food for thought anyway...

John Simpson

Rudd has apologised for what?

His error of judgement, his do anything say anything self-serving quest for support and political power, his seeking support in his then leaders backyard, his seeking support from a convicted felon, his debt to the convicted felon, his refusal to explain in Parliament when given the opportunity...?

Look Rudd really owes us all a straight up explanation of what was offered by Burke. None of us are simple enough to believe he met Burke, as he seems to think we'd believe, out of simple courtsey. Once at a friends house, maybe, but a second and third time at outings including a speech... naaaaah. What if one of those other two occassions was a fundraiser?

He needs to cut the spin and be staight up and down with us.

This is going to haunt him every time he comments on any subject in future...how? Everything whe says will be referenced by his opponents to a simple question...what are Burke's interests in this?

I think the current attack on his past actions is just another in the series and we can expect quite a few similar attacks. It is going to be increasingly hard for him to talk on many subjects. Three he cannot relish at the moment are Iraq, Water, and Health. Iraq because he cornered himself by not immediately stating a position on withdrawal, Health and Water because of his actions when he was the very decent Wayne Goss's main man in Queensland. He squashed the building of the Wolfdene Dam. Had that been built Brisbane's water supply wouldn't be threatened as it is now. He closed Hospital operating theatres up here earning the nick name Dr Death.

There is lots more similar events to follow.

I think the Labor Party need to reject him and replace him, sooner rather than later