Malcolm Farr as seen by the Byron Bay Institute

"JOHN Howard rises with the competition and last night was vigorous and telling against a polished Kevin Rudd. "

"He was less nervous and better prepared than in those past debates with Mark Latham and Kim Beazley. "

"He still could not claim victory from the engagement, which was one of the most informative in the limited history of the election campaign event. "

"He was caught by nearly 12 years of history against Rudd’s crisp novelty value. "

BBI: How about the fact that Howard did not answer questions while Rudd did? Novelty value indeed. Check out the new Favourite Blogs page for comments on this article.

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The Daily Telegraph 18/09/07

"JOHN Howard's refusal to bow to Cabinet critics has paid off for the Prime Minister with a stunning recovery in the polls."

"A Newspoll survey published today shows the Government picking up four percentage points to get 45 per cent of the two-party preferred vote."

BBI: Many pundits say that the last poll (59-41) was the aberration and that these numbers show that the libs are still in trouble.

"The survey was conducted at the weekend after two weeks of public and private Liberal turmoil in which Mr Howard had asked Foreign Minister Alexander Downer to canvass senior colleagues on his future."..

"Mr Howard stayed put because he believed he would do better in the election than his likely successor, Treasurer Peter Costello and publicly said he was more popular than his party."

BBI: And they accuse Kevin Rudd of arrogance. I remember when John Lennon said the Beatles were more popular than Jesus. Some said that he had been arrogant then, but JWH takes the cake.

"However, the Newspoll, published in today's The Australian, shows little change in who voters would prefer as prime minister, with the previous poll, a fortnight ago, having support for Labor leader Kevin Rudd at 48 per cent, with 37 per cent backing Mr Howard."

BBI: But not to worry, John has the backing of his colleagues...

"..with Immigration Minister Kevin Andrews saying he was proud of the Prime Minister."

"Environment Minister Malcolm Turnbull dismissed opinion poll outcomes, saying, "He (Mr Howard) will lead us into the election. He will win the election.""

"Mr Downer said Mr Rudd was being a "stuntsman" by calling for an immediate election."

The Daily Telegraph 14/09/07

"THIS will be a triple-treat election with the choice of three possible prime ministers for the one vote."

BBI: Malcolm points out we`d get Kevin, or John and then Peter.

"Mr Rudd yesterday accused the Government of having a plan for a leadership succession, but not one for Australia's future."

"And the question for the Liberal Party now is whether this new gambit will prove to be absolutely brilliant or an unmitigated disaster."

BBI: Malcolm asks questions. Is this good electorally?

"Absolutely Brilliant."
"He was upfront and honest, and his statement has allowed him to compare his and Mr Costello's situation with that of former Labor prime minister Bob Hawke and his treasurer in 1990 Paul Keating."

BBI: Honest John maintains his reputation, apart from a few promises that weren`t core promises. Hawke and Keating didn`t reveal the secret Kirribilli deal they had made. Of course, Bob wanted to renege then just as Howard did with his agreement with Costello.

"Just last week when pressed on this issue he said: "Who says I'm going anywhere" after an election victory?"
"Within 10 days he had an attack of frankness and revealed - in fact, worked hard to make sure it was known - that he would not serve a full term."

BBI: Malcolm then goes on offering pros and cons regarding leadership ambitions, comparing Costello to Gordon Brown, and the brings up th PM`s age. And finally he sees the light. Not before us at the BBI, mind.

"But it's not the PM's age which is the barrier. It's his world view which has lagged behind on climate change, broadband, education."

The Daily Telegraph 1/9/07

"Labor Leader Kevin Rudd would like the perception to be abroad that Howard is afraid of facing the voters because he knows he would lose."

"What’s he scared of? Rudd is suggesting. Is he clinging on to power for power’s sake, denying the voters the chance to toss him out?
Of course he isn’t. Howard hasn’t made himself Prime Minister for Life and he has to call an election. And his three year term isn’t up for a while yet.
He is caught up with preparation for the APEC summit, and there is no way that he will start an election campaign while that is on."

"It’s damn rude to call an election when there is an official guest in the country. "

BBI: Howard hasn`t made himself Prime Minister for life? That`s a relief Malcolm, thanks. And it is damn rude to call an election when you have a guest, though not as rude as deciding to go to war without telling your colleagues or the countrymen you represent as JH did on September 11 some years ago.

MALCOLM FARR