Rudd will be forever tarnished by dallying with the person who has , twice, tried to destroy the Labor Party. This time Bourke has taken out so many ministers, there are few left to keep the flag flying.
Kevin Rudd is making Mark Latham look like a kindy teacher.

mickijo

Close...but comparisons to Latham make Yountg Kevvy Rudd look like a kindy pupil.

Miacat.

Surprisingly I find myself agreeing with you on a need for a change in direction. But it is my opinion the Labor Party and the media, with their selection and fawning devotion to whichever labor 'Messiah ' is currently in vogue, keep letting us all down. And that results in us all being left with virtually no choice but John Howard...now while I think John Howard ok, I am cognisant of the fact he doesn't appeal to the vast majority of Australian voters...

My point being Rudd, or Beazley or Latham just couldn't and cannot ever expect to garner the necessary support among ordinary voters to topple him. That is simply because ordinary voters recognise their obvious shortcomings The same shortcomings which the selection processes and the uncritical and sympathetic free ride they get in the media tend to ignore.

Howard and Co are able to zero in on those shortcomings to great effect. We saw that with Beazley and Latham and we are seeing the same with Rudd. Why do the Labor Party keep putting up dud candidates? You'd think they would learn from their past mistakes?

If the Labor leadership selection processes focused on weaknesses, leaders would be chosen not just because of their electrol appeal but also because of their inherent suitability.

Media scrutiny of Liberal leadership aspirants is quite searchingly critical and any shortcomings are revealed long before selection for leadership and often unsuitable aspirants are well and truely sorted out and their aspirations for leadership are scuttled. The same never happens with Labor leadership aspirants...they tend to get a free ride and virtuallly never 'suffer' searching or critical examination in the media at any time.

We witness the results come election time...Labor federally is often trounced because of their suspect leadership.

Keith,

Ian Campbell resigned which was the right thing to do. Now that he has revealed the reason of this meeting with Burke and fallen on his own sword, the Howard government can claim it was an innocent mistake while putting the flame thrower on to Kevin Rudd who is avoiding all enquiries of his meetings.

Sooner or later, the truth will get out and if Rudd allows it, this information would most likely be released shortly before the forthcoming election. Howard is an intuitive politician. These people are hard to beat and Rudd is now handing him all the cards.

Storm in a teacup or what? Rudd met 30 people, one of them Burke, and the Liberals think they can get some leverage out of it. Isn't it a joy to see them squirm? The election's 8 months out and they reckon this will influence anyone? We know they take the electorate for idiots but posters here saying the same thing don't have that excuse.

As for Maxine having foreknowledge of this little 'incident' earlier in the week - shame on whoever suggested this. Predictable, but dumb.

I agree Bennie,

that McKew would have anything to do with the death threats is just plain ignorant, and insulting to her demonstratable integrity. It says a rather lot about anyone who would actually believe this.

also, regarding the 'storm in a teacup' we are yet to see just how much the public actually cares about all this.
I doubt they care very much at all.
Howards tricks are getting old.

Howard making Campbell fall on his sword?
I have a feeling that sword was made of rubber.
He didn't exactly look too distressed when he 'resigned', he could barely contain his grin.
Post election, if Howard gets back in, whats the odds that Campbell gets a rather rosy reward for his 'loyalty' to the emperor?
Howard has already said that there is no reason why Campbell could not return to a front bench position.

The governments tactics here, I believe, will be seen through by the majority of the public.
Doesn't mean they won't stop trying- I have a feeling we are going to hear this tune all the way to the election.

It is almost comical- if it wasn't so disgusting.
Howard and the boys getting all indignat about political integrity.
Howard is the liar we love to hate, even among some of his supporters that I know.
He rules by the hip pocket, not the heart, not by his integrity.

Every time Kevin Rudd steps in front of a camera his basic honesty shines for all to see.
However much more mud will be slung before the election if Howard intends to win he should call it now time will let Rudd's honesty be measured and not found wanting.
Bored? watch Parliament this week or any time it is on the speaker is a grin!