August 29, 2004
THEY’RE OFF!
Howard: election to be about trust (Sydney Morning Herald, August 29th, 2004)
The Prime Minister, John Howard, announced an October 9 election date today saying the six-week campaign would be one fought on the issue of trust.Announcing the election date at a press conference at Parliament House in Canberra, Mr Howard said it would be a decision for voters about who they trusted most to look after Australia and its economic future.
Right now the two leaders seem to be feinting with bromides about trust and the future, but this could be interesting and very close. Voting is compulsory in Australia and they have a preferred ballot (sometimes called an instant runoff) where voters rank their preferences. Early polls show Labor with a slight lead.
This is terrible news for Bush. Howard is one of his most reliable allies and he will go down in horrible defeat, about one month before Bush faces his voters. It will allow Kerry to prove his point that the US have no friends and that surrender to the islamofascists is the only way to rejoin the world community.
Posted by: Peter at August 29, 2004 12:07 PMPeter:
That's a very interesting take, especially considering that Howard hasn't lost yet, and is clearly competitive.
Also, I'd be shocked if even one American voter in a hundred:
a) knew that elections were taking place in Australia, and
b) cared, and
c) was going to cast her vote for the American President based on who won the Australian elections.
Michael:
Gee, and I thought the strong Conservative showing in the recent Canadian election was just the push the President needs to put him over the top.
Posted by: Peter B at August 29, 2004 1:49 PMYes, because without the Canadian and Australian votes, there's no way Bush can carry the electoral college... oh, wait a minute...
Posted by: Richard McEnroe at August 29, 2004 8:55 PM