Election 2007 - Week 2

Weekend 2, 27-28 October 2007
Interest rates and Malcolm Turnbull grabbed headlines this weekend. Labor have Howard on the ropes over his promise at the 2004 election to keep interest rates at record lows. The suggestion that Malcolm Turnbull, in an attempt to improve his green cred in Wentworth, may have leaked the story that he urged the PM to ratify Kyoto has placed coalition disharmony in the spotlight. The Libs are spending too much time on the defensive as Labor continues to set the agenda. The signs for Howard get more ominous by the day. Verdict - a Labor win
Cumulative Tally - Coalition 3.5, Labor 7.5

Thursday 25 October, 2007
As expected the inflation results dominated the start of the day. However, Kevin Rudd's last minute decision to attend the 43rd anniversary of a Tasmanian senior citizens club soon shifted the story of the day. Apparently Rudd's arrival mid-way through the celebrations put some members of the seniors' choir off-side. Baritone David Vowles felt compelled to dish out the best abuse of the campaign thus far, calling Rudd and the Labor candidate for Braddon "ignorant bastards" for politicising the celebrations. It was a welcome distraction to an otherwise uneventful day.

However, the cut and thrust of politics was again put into sombre perspective this evening with the news from Afghanistan that another Australian soldier had been killed in action. I'd expect the campaign to be pushed aside over the weekend as the nation comes to terms with the loss of the second soldier in as many weeks in Afghanistan. Verdict - A draw
Cumulative Tally - Coalition 3.5, Labor 6.5

Wednesday 24 October, 2007
Today's campaigning was overshadowed by the release of the latest inflation figures. It now looks certain that the Reserve Bank will lift interest rates when it meets on Melbourne Cup day, Nov 6. It will be the sixth rate rise since the 2004 election when John Howard promised to keep interest rates at record lows. A rates rise so close to polling day would be disastrous for the government and could see the Labor party celebrating no matter which horse in first past the post on November 6. Verdict - A Labor Victory
Cumulative Tally - Coalition 3, Labor 6
One of Australia's best political journalists, Dennis Shanahan analyses the inflation figures for The Australian here.

Tuesday 23 October, 2007
It was a day when Labor's 'message' was disrupted by, of all people, Kyle Sandilands, and the day Kevin Rudd demonstrated that he is just like any other politician. For those who held Rudd up as an icon of progressive politics, today was a day they would rather forget.

On a morning visit to the Sydney studios of 2Day FM, Rudd was asked by Sandilands whether he was a supporter of gay marriage. He's not, and the media were pushing him from the moment he left the studio. He looked particularly uncomfortable when asked by journalists if homosexual couples should have the right to adopt a child.

What was supposed to be a relaxed pitch for 'yoof' vote very quickly became the dominant issue of the day and disrupted what would have otherwise been a Labor victory.
You can listen to the 2Day interview here:
mms://66.70.119.243/kj_071023_kevin_rudd1.wma

Verdict - a tie
Cumulative Tally - Coalition 3, Labor 5

Monday 22 October, 2007
Another positive day for Labor with Kevin Rudd enjoying the headlines after his performance in Sunday night's debate. He appears strengthened by the victory and was at his best when he challenged Howard and Costello to a joint debate. The big challenge for both parties will be keeping our attention as the long campaign drags on. It's been just over a week and already I have a stitch and a blister - the finish line seems painfully far away. Verdict - A Labor win.
Cumulative Tally - Coalition 2.5, Labor 4.5