Little has been achieved in the past few weeks of jousting and speculation. The period since APEC has shown only what we already knew – that voting intentions are only going to change during the intensity of the campaign, if at all, writes Howard biographer Wayne Errington.
MacCormack: Oratory the loser on a day of fumbles
After weeks to prepare, the Prime Minister’s performance at his election news conference was inexplicably poor. In his response, Rudd started poorly, too - stiff and stilted, writes David MacCormack.
Bahnisch: Galaxy Poll shows things will be close in Queensland
The Courier-Mail is this morning touting a Galaxy Poll which purports to show Labor winning only two additional seats in Queensland – Bonner and Moreton, writes Mark Bahnisch.
Poll history repeats – but which piece?
The government will be hoping opinion poll history repeats. But which piece of history? Which previous Newspoll graph can the government take heart from? Peter Brent investigates.
Razer: Rudd’s half-ars-d web presence is good strategy
On Facebook, MySpace and his own Kevin 07 site (which is rather more web 1.5 than web 2.0) Kevin Rudd offers the name of his family cat (Jasper) but is yet to become fluent in internet cant, writes Helen Razer.
Sparrow: Can Howard break away from the culture wars?
For too long, Howard’s been pandering to a disreputable posse of intellectual thugs. Howard can’t win unless he breaks with these people. Yet they’re his oldest and most loyal allies. Quel dilemma, writes Jeff Sparrow.
Abjorensen: What fate John Howard?
John Winston Howard has a thing or two on his mind at the moment, quite apart from being Prime Minister of Australia. He is fighting not one, but many battles, writes Norman Abjorensen.
Rundle: Never mind the narrative, feel the vamp
Day Two of the election John Howard had to have (possibly after checking with constitutional lawyers for any get out) and News Limited is already in full spin mode, from both those with a modicum of respectability (Paul Kelly), to the ratbags (Piers Akerman), writes Guy Rundle.
How to put the heat on the Perpetual bad boys at Gunns
Whilst executive chairman John Gay is the ugly and public face of Tasmanian pulp mill proponent Gunns Ltd, the pressure is about to start spreading to a few more well-known institutions, writes Stephen Mayne.
Your Say: Daily Mail readers' feedback: Comments, corrections, clarifications, and c*ckups
Gunns pulp mill … name the shadow ministry … more election speculation … getting sick of the horse flu … thumbs up for autism funding …
After lunch in Wentworth, Turnbull calls for the cheques
As you read this, Malcolm Turnbull is winding up an interesting lunch with some leading members of his Wentworth electorate: top of the list of topics was the Pulp mill decision and, of course, financial support, writes Glenn Dyer
What’s with all the AFL secrecy?
In researching a story about Chris Judd and the AFL Salary Cap, Crikey contacted the AFL to try to obtain information regarding the particulars of the cap. Surprisingly, the simple request was refused, writes Adam Schwab.
Media briefs and TV ratings
Kochie defends Idol against TT … Why is JB Fairfax drawing director’s fees? … Last night’s TV ratings.
ISS strikes, Murdoch editors fail independence test
After building and controlling News Corporation for 55 years, Rupert Murdoch is now facing a serious longer term challenge to his dynastic ambitions courtesy of the position proxy advisory powerhouse ISS has taken backing a proposal to give all shareholders the vote, writes Stephen Mayne.
Tony Wheeler: Why we should still travel to Burma
Don’t go to Burma – say some Burma activists, but who is it that’s phoning back and emailing the stories from within the country? asks Lonely Planet founder Tony Wheeler.
Never mind the advertising, here’s the mail drop
Virtually every Coalition seat held by 10 per cent of less is being treated as if it’s in play. If you live in one, we’d love to see what you’re getting.
Operation Raw Deal: The biggest drug scandal yet to hit sport
In the United States they are declaring it potentially the biggest drug scandal yet to hit sport - an international investigation code-named Operation Raw Deal that has seized massive amounts of anabolic steroids in many countries.
Millionaire Factory in high stakes Murdoch slug-fest
The starters guns was fired yesterday in what should be the defamation battle of the year as the $21 billion Macquarie Bank empire takes on Rupert Murdoch’s $70 billion global media conglomerate.
Let’s not forget Gitmo
Once upon a time Australian journalists, politicans and lawyers were outraged by the treatment of detainees at Guantanamo Bay. But now that both Hicks and Habib are safely back in Australia, Gitmo has lost its sex appeal as an issue in this country.
Tell us this Kevin, what’s the tax on a loaf of bread?
On one level, Rudd’s slip yesterday was just an upmarket “What is the price of a loaf of bread issue”. But on another it’s a slip that strikes at the Labor leader’s entire political persona, writes Christian Kerr.
An election timing hint?
You can read what you like into this email distributed to the NSW Liberal Party faithful yesterday:
Tips and rumours
While NAB is rumored to be circling the carcass of Northern Rock its highly rewarded mortgage managers at Homeside have been given instructions to dump any troubled or difficult clients. Reports of widespread termination of facility notices have been received by financial counsellors, particularly where the mum and dad borrowers have been talked into signing […]
Memo MacBank staff: thanks for the profits
In recent months Macquarie Bank employees in AWAs have been forced to work public holidays, weekends and late nights with no compensation. No wonder they are posting record profits — on Friday they received an email thanking them for their contribution…
‘Bringing some of our troops home’ … Bush begins US exit
In the life of all free nations, there come moments that decide the direction of a country and reveal the character of its people. We are now at such a moment … President Bush addresses the nation on Iraq.
