I am amazed the Aust people appear to like Rudd so much.

If this popularity for the ALP holds up for another month or so, then it will be Abbott's leadership that will come under much greater pressure. That would also be amazing.

Hard life being a pollie, as nothing is never certain. It can all change in a matter of days.

Not to mention Howard's taxpayer funded jet shuttle taxi service....

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/archive/news/pms-jet-a-taxi-service/story-e6frf7l6-1111114449873

Chris,

I'm waiting for Abbott to say something of substance.

You know, the opposite of slogans and pamphlets.

The only reason he was allowed to coast is that Gillard was copping so much flack. Now Abbott is being called upon to sell himself and his party, the heat is on and Mr Abbott finds himself in unfamiliar territory.

Last night on 7:30, when asked how he will "turn the boats around" without Indonesian cooperation, all he could say (three times) is that "Howard did it".

That's it - no detail at all.

If he's the present under the Christmas tree, then I'm shaking it - and it appears to contain "nothing".

It's your choice folks:

One wears glasses and a smile
The other a sneer on his big-eared dial
One can talk and enunciate
The other's a bruiser who won't debate
We need a leader to see us through
But the question is -
Who, Who, WHOOOO?

A public debate between the two men would help.

Poirot, I have been saying for a long time people want a new vision in line with Australia's present problems.

It looks like they will be attracted by a more positive stance, even if this means that they are hoping Rudd now moves beyond rhetoric.

I suspect if Abbott does not step up in terms of a positive policy direction, then he will be in trouble.

At this stage, still too early to tell. All will be revealed when campaign gets underway once election is announced. However, the coalition would be sadly mistaken if it thinks it can rely merely on bagging the past, asylum seekers or the carbon tax. It will need to balance both the past and future in terms of policy reminders and direction.

It will be a dirty campaign; lets hope some policy choices also emerge

Chris,

It doesn't need to be a dirty campaign.

You're right that it is too early to tell.

I think, with the re-emergence of Rudd, the LNP strategists need to revise their game plan.

However, I'm not sure if Abbott is up to that scenario.