Dear Shadow Minister,

I hear you and Madonna King from the Murdoch press link Graham supplied also reiterated;

"The problem is that his public popularity is inversely proportional to his popularity within the party - and it is the party caucus, not the public, that determines the Labor Party leadership."

The public however does have a role in determining the leader since if the Party gives us one who isn't agreeable to us we might just take the reins of power from them.

And I am old enough to remember how absolutely despised John Howard was internally during his various tilts at the leadership. A certain intercepted telephone conversation by our former premier Jeff Kennett illustrated that impressively.

Sure I would have liked to see a Rudd who acknowledged his errors in judgement and missteps in people management but who would bother with a purely pragmatic version? He was who he was warts and all and there is a fair chunk of Australia who doesn't think he got a fair shot and resent the smugness of those who toppled him. If they are the ones who would be so terribly upset if he returned I don't think many of us would really care. 

Dear csteele,

I've just read an interesting article in
The Age. I'll quote a bit of it here:

"Despite the media's relentless speculation about
the PM's leadership and while holding a minority
government together during a period of major
reform the PM continues to be more popular then
her opponent."

Perhaps what we should be asking is not "Why would
they want Rudd back," but as The Age article asks:

"How much longer will the Coalition put up with
consistently unpopular key people such as Tony Abbott
and Joe Hockey when far more popular and competent
people like Malcolm Turnbull are binding their time
in the wings?"

The Age tell us that:

"The unpopularity of Tony Abbott and Co., will
probably make the Coalition unelectable
at the next election."

Therefore perhaps what we should ask as The Age suggests is:

"When will journalists pick up on this story and apply
some heat where it belongs?"

I do find these polls interesting Lexi.

When Yahoo!7 ran a poll last Friday, asking who was the preferred PM, Abbott V Gillard, the response was 35% Gillard, 65% Abbott. As this was probably not what they wanted, they then ran Gillard V Rudd, & Gillard got about the same percentage. You & csteele are a couple of the very few who want her.

If you continue paying so much attention to these lefty rags you will be lulled into a false sense of security, believing either Rudd or Gillard have some chance of reelection against Abbott. Still, it is probably good for Abbott if you believe that.

Personally I am starting think he is going to be one of our very best PMs ever, with the probability of exceeding Howard in length of time in office.

Lexi,

Quoting letters to the newspaper now?

I am sure that it is the fondest wish of Labor voters that Turnbull replaces Juliar, as under his tenure he pretty much let KRudd get away with everything. When Abbott came in KRudd crashed and burned, and the polls have gone from 54/46 to Labor to completely reverse.

Abbott is the preferred Leader within the coalition voters and caucus.

I would be happy for Krudd or Juliar to continue to lead Labor to defeat.

Hasbeen Yahoooooo is what it says, but it's always interesting to find something that agrees with yourself. Is that one vote one person or vote as many times as you like. There is a bit of chatter going on at the moment, about Turnbull. I think he may be feeling the depth of the water.

Dear SM,

I cited an article from The Age. And the PM is
the preferred leader. We shall see what happens
at the next election. In the meantime you can
speculate all that you like. The PM will get on
with doing her job.