Sunday, June 29, 2008

By-election 'sends message to Rudd'

Nationals candidate Darren Chester triumphed with 63 per cent of the two-party preferred vote in yesterday's poll, against Labor candidate Darren McCubbin's 37 per cent.
"I think it's an extraordinary result that you have a 7 per cent swing against Mr Rudd only seven months after he has won the election, which would be one of the largest swings against a newly elected government, I think, since Federation."
Rather surprising.  Just the other day I read a headline that the Coalition was preparing for the worst.  Whether this reflexes dissatisfaction with the Rudd government or just dissatisfaction with the current economic climate is a subject for debate. 
My assessment of the Rudd govt. is a bit of a mixed bag.  Their efforts to reduce government spending and inflation is commendable.  But their '2020 summit' and EU style Australiasian/South East Asia pact idea is just puffery.  Kevin Rudd's leadership style is also a mixed bag.  One minute he's dramatic and serious and the next he's acting a bit of a clown.
David Farrar said the Liberal leader Brendon Nelson was unelectable.  Granted Brendon does seem an unlikely leader, but that's why I like him.  He seems more genuine that Kevin.  David has declared his allegiance for Malcolm Turnball, which may colour his comments. 
 

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