Prime Minister Kevin Rudd's glowing endorsement of New South Wales Premier Morris Iemma places him on shaky ground. The Iemma government is defying Labor policy and pressing ahead with the sale of the state electricity system despite strident opposition from branches, the unions and Labor rank and file.
It could be inferred that Rudd also has no inclination to follow the policy of his party, and it is certainly dangerous to support a premier whose government is on the nose with the voters. This state government has a sad history of bungled projects, corruption - and arrogance.
Kevin Rudd brought Labor to power nationally by virtue of his aura of invincibility. Kevin 07 was - in the minds of many voters - the man of fresh ideas who offered an answer to the many problems facing this country.
Two of his promises struck a rich cord. He promised to reduce the price of petrol and to bring the sharp rise in grocery prices under control.
Now safely in office, he has reneged on those promises. They were impossible anyway - as any thinking person would know - but Rudd's cloak of invincibility has slipped - as was illustrated by a near seven percent swing against the government in a recent by-election.
Rudd is vulnerable. He lacks a strong supporting faction in a party of many factions and he only holds the prime position because of his hold on public opinion.
If the Rudd approval rating starts to fall the sharks will circle and other faction bosses with big ego's will be waiting in the wings to assume his mantle.
Rudd is safe for the moment, but he will need all his skills to stay at the fore front of public opinion - and supporting a loser like Iemma is not going to enhance that expectation of sound judgement !
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