Dear Poirot,

It is interesting that the best all the Abbott supporters
can come up with is more of the same tactics of nastiness,
negativity, fear, and hate, instead of discussions on
policy. But then I guess they don't
really have anything to discuss. Condemnation is the
best they can come up with. Nothing new to see here.

BTW - Labor has risen vastly in the polls in every state
since last night. I believe the Morgan poll tells us that
there's very little difference between the two party
preferences now. And it's still a while until the election.

Interesting.

Lexi, "And it's still a while until the election"

That is the problem for Rudd. That the 'bounce' in the polls is only for the short lived honeymoon period.

So you agree though that the previous abuse heaped on Rudd by Gillard, Swann and Co was wrong? Rudd is a saviour whose policies were right all along and he should never have been knifed by Jools?

Poirot,

'Why won't he tell us what it is?'

I had you as knowing a bit more about the political game. Why would he give a sucker an even break? What opposition gives out their policies in time for the government to steal them or discredit them with their superior access to the vast resources of the public service.

It's simple tactics, but you disingenuously argue it has something to do with a lack of policy.

It's like assuming that an army that hasn't attacked yet has no ammunition, and asserting they should just wave a bloody big flag to show the enemy where to shoot.

Dear onthebeach,

Your reference to Julia Gillard's "knifing" Kevin
Rudd suggests that she came to power illegitimately.
This is not true.
It ignores the fact that there was widespread
dissatisfaction over Mr Rudd's leadership with the
Labor Party as polls began to slide. Julia Gillard
spoke to Kevin Rudd face to face about her intention
to challenge, after being approached by several concerned
members of caucus. Mr Rudd resigned and Julia Gillard was
elected unopposed by her Parliamentary caucus. There was
nothing illegitimate about the process. She became
leader because she gained support of the Labor Party
caucus. Everything else is innuendo and smear tactics
and should be ignored.

Dear Poirot,

As political commentators, including Mr Rudd, point out:

"Australians need to know precisely why they should vote
for Mr Abbott and the Coalition. This requires work,
not glad-handing, nor empty rhetoric."

"If Mr Abbott believes he leads the next government-in-waiting
then it is incumbent on him to enunciate the policies and
the vision that drives them."

"Clearly, there has been huge advantages while in Opposition
in offering a small target to Labor. But, to carry that
strategy any further now is to treat voters with contempt."

Throwing out a government is not the same as electing
an Opposition. The electorate, like nature, abhors a vacuum.
Without detailed policies it cannot properly assess who
deserves to govern. It's time for that to occur from
Mr Abbott and his Party.

Pjack,

Please produce even one fully costed Labor policy, one that has even closely approached predicted expenditure.

Poirot,

"That may be fine for those of your ilk, but some of us see only vacuous sloganeering, platitude, negativity and invective." That sounds like Rudd or Juliar.

Lexi,

Juliar got a 5% jump after knifing Rudd, this had dissipated completely by the election

Lexi sweetie, you say Australians need to know precisely why they should vote for Mr Abbott and the Coalition, which is interesting.

However Australians already know precisely why they should NOT vote for Mr Rudd.