Essential Research: 54-46 to Labor

Labor maintains its wide lead in an Essential Research poll that also gauges opinion on party polarisation, same-sex marriage and foreign leaders.

Primary vote numbers will have to wait until the full report is published later today, but The Guardian reports that the latest fortnight rolling average from Essential Research has Labor maintaining the 54-46 two-party lead it opened after a one-point gain last week.

Among the other findings:

• Seventy-one per cent agreed both sides of politics should meet in some place called “the middle” more often; 45% said they would consider voting for a party that sat in it; and another 45% (or perhaps the same one) agreed that Australian parties were “too ideological”, compared with 37% who perceived no substantial difference between them (I assume these two were separate options to the same question, although this is unclear).

• Yet another question on same-sex marriage finds 61% supportive and 26% opposed, and 50% supporting a binding plebiscite compared with 23% for a vote by parliament and 9% for a non-binding plebiscite followed by a parliamentary conscience vote.

• Questions on foreign leaders found 51% had a favourable view of Justin Trudeau, which would be an impressive result for a Canadian Prime Minister on name recognition, never mind approval. Angela Merkel on 43% and Emmanuel Macron on 41% both rated higher than Theresa May on 33%. Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin both rated 16%, and 6% had somehow formed a favourable view of Kim Jong-un. All of these numbers will become more meaningful when we see the full report, which will hopefully also include results for unfavourable.

Author: William Bowe

William Bowe is a Perth-based election analyst and occasional teacher of political science. His blog, The Poll Bludger, has existed in one form or another since 2004, and is one of the most heavily trafficked websites on Australian politics.

1,344 comments on “Essential Research: 54-46 to Labor”

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  1. If Frydenberg sincerely believes that unique habitats can be replicated in a new area, he knows nothing.

    https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/jul/20/fresh-legal-challenge-looms-over-adani-mine-risk-to-endangered-finch?CMP=share_btn_tw

    A fresh legal challenge could be brewing for Adani’s planned Carmichael coalmine. New advice has found the federal environment minister’s approval of the mine may have been unlawful in light of new scientific evidence of its impacts on the endangered black-throated finch.

    As a result, the Australian Conservation Foundation (ACF) has asked the federal minister for the environment and energy, Josh Frydenberg, revoke the approval and ask Adani to resubmit its plans for consideration.

    The Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act says the minister must not act inconsistently with any official national recovery plan for an endangered species when approving a development. In addition, one of the conditions on the approval of Adani’s mine specifically stated that the company’s management strategies must be consistent with the recovery plan for the black-throated finch.

    But according to legal advice given to the ACF by the Environmental Defenders Office (EDO) Queensland, new scientific evidence shows the approval of the mine by the former environment minister Greg Hunt was inconsistent with the recovery plan.

    The plans also rely on new habitat being created, despite the experts saying such a feat has never been achieved.

    In addition, they say the mine will destroy the most important remaining habitat, which will not be able to be offset.

    Finally, they concluded that errors were made in the calculation of the offset habitats required, and they didn’t take into account the reduced value of the offsets caused by their fragmentation.

    “These dodgy figures dramatically underestimate the impact of the mine on an endangered species and significantly reduced the amount of land Adani had to provide compensate for its impacts,” Stasak said

    “What is clear is that this mine will clearly have an unacceptable impact on the black-throated finch. Everywhere you look Adani has cut corners in a desperate bit to get this mine up.”

  2. Good morning Dawn Patrollers.

    John Warhurst writes that Turnbull needs to be more like Keating and less like Menzies.
    http://www.smh.com.au/comment/republican-prime-minister-malcolm-turnbull-unwise-to-say-hes-an-elizabethan-20170719-gxec6t.html
    As republican-Elizabethan Malcolm Turnbull gazes at his broad church, Mungo MacCallum reminds him that Menzies was a big “C” Conservative.
    https://independentaustralia.net/politics/politics-display/mungo-maccallum-turnbulls-broad-church-elizabethan-small-l-liberals1,10516
    Here we go! The lawyer for one of the US police officers involved in the shooting death of Australian Justine Damond says it is “certainly reasonable” his client feared he was the target of an ambush.
    http://www.smh.com.au/world/reasonable-for-police-to-fear-ambush-lawyer-says-after-justine-damond-death-20170719-gxeqva.html
    Paul McGeough is asking the right questions.
    http://www.smh.com.au/world/justine-damond-death-minneapolis-authorities-are-not-joining-the-dots-20170719-gxeij8.html
    It seem the police shooter has quite a bit of form. Google.
    news/nation/justine-ruszczyk-not-the-first-woman-her-killer-failed/news-story/d6d220ffa6eec282d86c8ed52ef560de
    Australia’s foreign spy agencies could gather intelligence on “classes” of Australians involved with terrorist organisations to help stop lone wolf attacks or help the military target terrorists, under recommendations from a high-level review. I thinks it’s called “profiling”.
    http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/call-for-increase-in-spy-powers-against-terror-20170719-gxen8f.html
    Abbott’s back on home soil and doesn’t waste any time putting the boot into Turnbull.
    http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/call-for-increase-in-spy-powers-against-terror-20170719-gxen8f.html
    Tony Abbott says he has a duty to speak out and the Liberal Party will only be able to retain government with a two-pronged strategy of tackling rising power prices and ending the power of factions within its ranks. Sure, Tone.
    http://thenewdaily.com.au/news/national/2017/07/19/abbott-stokes-liberal-rebellion-demand-party-reform/
    James Campbell writes “Anybody who saw Peter Dutton’s performance on the ABC the other night attempting to sell the government’s plan to create a new super Home Affairs Minister would have come away wondering — whatever the merits of the plan — if he is the man for the job.” Google.
    /news/opinion/james-campbell/opposition-to-super-ministry-for-peter-dutton-puts-its-value-in-doubt/news-story/7fc9a5e2c5a22579974374f68eb67f01

  3. Section 2 . . .

    The announcement of a new Peter Dutton-led “super ministry” will extend the scope of government sanctioned abuse of power, so far perpetrated against refugees, to all Australians, writes Sarah Smith.
    https://independentaustralia.net/politics/politics-display/peter-duttons-super-ministry-extending-the-scope-for-abuse-of-power,10515
    Greg Sheridan is quite scathing on the new Home Affairs decision. Google.
    opinion/columnists/greg-sheridan/duttons-super-ministry-wont-improve-australias-national-security/news-story/3d5161a451eb954840577acf35861357
    Are we headed for an Apple vs Potato war over encryption?
    http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/apple-flies-in-top-executives-to-lobby-turnbull-government-on-encryption-laws-20170719-gxebvn.html
    A Senate inquiry has been told of the potentially tragic consequences of Australia’s lax building laws, with experts warning it is only a matter of time before a Grenfell Tower-style tragedy unfolds locally. Dodgy sprinklers, aggressive profiteering and a lack of regulation were highlighted in evidence to a Senate inquiry investigating non-conforming building products in Sydney on Wednesday. All the CFMEU’s fault no doubt.
    http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/thousands-of-low-rise-australian-apartment-blocks-at-risk-of-grenfellstyle-fire-senate-inquiry-warned-20170719-gxe78r.html
    Nick Miller says that the UK Home Office is a curious model for our new super-ministry. He says The UK’s Home Office isn’t the product of ground-up design, but rather the end product of decades of scandals, splits, forced mergers and half-baked reforms. This makes it a courageous choice of model for Australia’s new super ministry.
    http://www.smh.com.au/world/uk-home-office-a-curious-model-for-malcolm-turnbulls-home-affairs-ministry-20170719-gxe228.html
    The SMH editorial goes to the very high number of unoccupied and under-occupied houses in Australia.
    http://www.smh.com.au/comment/smh-editorial/full-house-of-solutions-needed-on-affordability-20170719-gxeatg.html
    Andrew Bolt at his whingeing “best”. “What a coincidence. The ABC steps up its war on Christianity just as Cardinal George Pell returns to Australia to face court over alleged historical sexual offences. Pell strongly denies those allegations and we cannot discuss them.” Google.
    /news/opinion/andrew-bolt/losing-faith-in-the-abc-over-attacks-on-christianity/news-story/99d48aa4961063465be75f77e31ad27a
    A group of House Democrats are seeking information about Ivanka Trump’s security clearance after her husband and fellow White House adviser, Jared Kushner, failed to report dozens of contacts with foreign officials, including meetings with Russian officials, during last year’s presidential campaign.
    http://www.huffingtonpost.com.au/2017/07/19/democrats-call-for-fbi-review-of-ivanka-trumps-security-clearan_a_23037696/?utm_hp_ref=au-homepage
    Stephen Koukoulas on the dangers of the Aussie dollar going up again.
    https://thekouk.com/item/520-the-downside-of-the-aussie-dollar-going-up-again.html

  4. Section 3 . . .

    Judith Ireland on the extent of loss that the resignation of their two best performers means.
    http://www.smh.com.au/comment/losing-ludlam-and-waters-no-joke-for-the-greens-20170718-gxe1ci.html
    Ian Holland calls for the overhaul of Section 44 of the constitution.
    http://www.smh.com.au/comment/section-44-of-constitution-must-change-after-larissa-waters-scott-ludlam-resign-20170719-gxea86.html
    The Liberal Party really attracts some nice people!
    http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/refugee-and-fracking-activists-a-bunch-of-cockroaches-says-liberal-pursuing-senate-vacancy-20170718-gxdxqb.html
    Like Alan Tudge! Australians will be urged to embrace a new direction in fighting poverty as the federal government warns that another boost to the nation’s $160 billion welfare bill will not fix the problem, clearing the ground for tougher social security policies instead. Google.
    /national-affairs/welfare-spending-not-the-answer-says-alan-tudge/news-story/855dfad6999cee026a9429744c3d0f6d
    Greg Jericho tells mortgage holders not to panic.
    https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/commentisfree/2017/jul/20/dont-panic-the-rbas-35-rate-goal-doesnt-mean-your-mortgage-is-about-to-rise
    Are we headed to be using our thumbprints to validate certain financial transactions?
    http://www.smh.com.au/business/banking-and-finance/could-thumbprints-substitute-for-pins-visa-thinks-so-20170718-gxdtu0.html
    Why has the conservative class become so dependent on the politics of race?
    https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/jul/19/why-has-the-conservative-class-become-so-dependant-on-the-politics-of-race
    High energy costs will underpin a drive by the new owner of Arrium to generate its own power at its sites, where possible. Makes sense.
    http://www.smh.com.au/business/arriums-new-owner-sanjeev-gupta-plans-to-invest-to-overcome-high-energy-costs-20170719-gxeec5.html
    George Monbiot writes about totalitarian capitalism’s assault on US democracy.
    https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/jul/19/despot-disguise-democracy-james-mcgill-buchanan-totalitarian-capitalism

  5. Katharine Murphy‏Verified account @murpharoo · 3m3 minutes ago

    The Rudd interview with @RNBreakfast gives listeners a little glimmer of insight about some prime ministers and their *legacies* #auspol

  6. Section 4 . . . with Cartoon Corner Part 1

    Analysts have forecast higher dividends for BHP shareholders and capital returns after a positive production update from the world’s biggest miner on Wednesday. And bout bloody time!
    http://www.smh.com.au/business/mining-and-resources/bhp-lifts-iron-ore-production-analysts-flag-higher-dividend-payouts-20170719-gxemat.html
    Institutional investors and superannuation funds face franking credit losses of “epic proportions” unless the government deals with the adverse effect of the interplay between a lower corporate tax rate and dividend imputation, experts warn. Google.
    /news/policy/tax/investors-to-lose-dividend-tax-credits-in-epic-proportions-under-taxcut-plan-20170718-gxddvp

    Cathy Wilcox with some perspective on citizenship allegiance.

    Ron Tandberg sums up the justification for the new Home Affairs ministry.

    Mark David is trying to come up with an appropriate title for J Edgar Tuber.

  7. Section 5 . . . Cartoon Corner Part 2

    Paul Zanetti continues to have a go at the Greens.

    Glen LeFevre has come up with Dutton emojis for all occasions.

    Reg Leahy weighs in on the Justine Damond killing in the US.

    Alan Moir on Dutton’s perfect qualifications for the new job.

    A cracker for Jon Kudelka on Dutton’s appointment.
    http://cdn.newsapi.com.au/image/v1/ebf953f5f6e4f9f8bf72e73d8c21ead8
    More brilliant work from David Rowe.

    David Poe uses Goya’s “Exorcism” on the Greens.
    http://www.smh.com.au/photogallery/federal-politics/cartoons/david-pope-20120214-1t3j0
    Mark Knight devastatingly contrasts the fortunes of Dutton and Brandis.
    http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/opinion/latest-mark-knight-cartoons/image-gallery/3a75151fbab76180dfd2225950ca23da

  8. This is a good point.

    Alan Jones‏Verified account @AlanJones · 1d1 day ago

    Forget Ludlam and Waters- what about politicians born in Australia who show no allegiance and sell everything to overseas interests? #auspol

  9. Dan G:

    Western Australia
    Monday to Friday: 8am to 9pm.
    Saturday: 8am to 5pm.
    Sunday: 11am to 5pm.

    You are quoting trading hours for the Perth metro area. As I said, if you live outside specific areas the trading hours are different. This is from the WA Department of Commerce:

    Non-metropolitan areas

    Local government authorities outside the Perth metropolitan area can apply to Consumer Protection to extend the trading hours for general retail shops in their district beyond those stipulated in the Act.

    https://www.commerce.wa.gov.au/consumer-protection/retail-trading-hours

    Our local government uses this provision for long weekends and christmas/new year period so all shops can trade on Sundays. This Sunday for eg not being a public holiday Coles, Woollies, Dan Murphys and large retailers like Target are not allowed to open.

  10. Thanks BK
    Shorten needs to put the kybosh on this Dutton power grab. No need to worry about appearing soft on terror and all that BS. He’d have the support of half the right wing commentariat.

  11. As Malcolm Turnbull hit out at the party’s “incredible sloppiness”, The Australian has learned Senator Di Natale, the son of Italian ­migrants, and Tasmanian Greens MP Nick McKim, who was born in the United Kingdom, are awaiting official documentation to prove they are not dual nationals.

    I thought McKim tweeted documentary proof the day Waters announced her resignation?

  12. What strikes me as especially tragic about the shooting of Justine Damond by the rookie cop, with a history, who refuses to make a statement, is that she was a rescuer – yoga teacher, meditation, healer, helper of ducks cross the road – who was naive enough or so lacking in local street cred as to go it alone into the American night. I’m not blaming her; we all take our local sensibilities with us when we travel or move to a new place.

    ‘Samaritanism’ can be a risky business, which is not to say it is not the honourable path. (not sure how many nots I need, but you get the drift)

  13. Terror tactic 101 – flush ’em out. Dutton turns off power, water, sanitation, phones et al to some compounds at Manus to force refugees into a transition centre.

    “Manus Island is due to close by the end of October. I’ve been very clear about that and that is what we’re going to achieve” said the Monster.

    “I’ve been very clear about it.”

    So that’s alright then. I speak therefore you do.

    https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2017/jul/20/power-and-water-cut-off-for-refugees-on-manus-as-dutton-confirms-closure

  14. Morning all

    I listened to an interview this Morning on mmm radio. Eddie McGuire and his co hosts spoke with Peter Dutton. Have to say he was very relaxed and fluent in this interview and explained in quite detail the challenges and efforts put in place to deal with issues of refugees, terrorism, cyber security, drug crime, espionage etc.

  15. Itzadream

    Here in Australia, we don’t give a second thought to approaching a police officer at any time to speak our mind or seek help. Sadly this is not an approach we can take if in the USA. The gun culture demands shoot first ask questions later. Really sad state of affairs.

  16. The Australian sheeple empowered Dutton by letting human rights abuses continue unchecked on Manus. If they let this latest one thru, they’ll be the next to have their rights curtailed.

  17. Victoria
    It was a rhetorical question. Dutton is not going to admit any interest in GetUp as part of his broad new security portfolio, but they could conveniently fit the “profile” of a group aiding and abetting illegal immigration through protection of human rights.
    All power to GetUp in chucking the bastard out of his electorate.

  18. itzadream @ #1064 Thursday, July 20, 2017 at 8:26 am

    What strikes me as especially tragic about the shooting of Justine Damond by the rookie cop, with a history, who refuses to make a statement, is that she was a rescuer – yoga teacher, meditation, healer, helper of ducks cross the road – who was naive enough or so lacking in local street cred as to go it alone into the American night. I’m not blaming her; we all take our local sensibilities with us when we travel or move to a new place.
    ‘Samaritanism’ can be a risky business, which is not to say it is not the honourable path. (not sure how many nots I need, but you get the drift)

    I want to reiterate that the rookie cop, in not talking (he did issue a public statement) is doing what any competent lawyer would advise their client to do in the same situation: keep their mouth shut. There are some situations in life where you can only talk yourself into (more) trouble.

    He is entitled to due process of law and we should not interpret his silence as guilt.

  19. That Rowe cartoon is brilliant, and it could well be Waters holding the baby. I hadn’t thought of her when I first saw it yesterday.

  20. Joy oh joy! A TV channel owned by US televangelist Jimmy Swaggart (he of sexual misbehaviour notoriety) is now playing 24/7 on our free-to-air screens.

    My TV automatically adds new channels and while most of them are the dreaded shopping channels, a new appearance (in Canberra at least) is Swaggart’s channel.

    If only we could get access to useful overseas channels (like BBC, CNN, Aljazeera) on free-to-air.

  21. Dutton’s main theme.
    Peter Dutton “we have cleaned up Labor’s mess”.
    And made several more of your own, with added spite.

  22. Trog S

    i can’t wait to see the back of Dutton and the rest of the motley crew. But to date, Dutton has managed to consolidate his power with the full support of Turnbull. Of course, Turnbull has done so to protect his own job. This mob have no ethics

  23. Ugh!

    Jason Falinski‏ @JasonFalinskiMP 19h19 hours ago
    Born in Manly hospital to two Oz parents. I am not a Polish citizen and never have been @vanOnselenP

    IIRC he was on that list of MPs born overseas that was circulating the other day. How could you get something like that so wrong!

  24. Lizzie

    As per the interview I heard earlier, Dutton is playing for keeps. He has his eyes on the top prize. Meanwhile, Turnbull sounds like a blabbering fool

  25. Grimace
    He is entitled to due process of law and we should not interpret his silence as guilt

    Yes, and which I don’t. The local authorities are also expressing regret and his (current) silence.

    But that wasn’t my main point. I was heading down the path of when and how to offer assistance, and the hazards therein.

  26. Dutton has actually gained in his seat last I heard. I wonder if PHON support is lower than usual in similar seats given that Dutton appeals to the worst instincts of many such.

  27. Vic:

    It’s all very murky. But the Cyrpus docs provide much more detail on just how deep Manafort was in with the Russians.

  28. Trump’s Russia Disaster Worsens As Paul Manafort And Donald Trump Jr. To Testify Next Week

    Paul Manafort and Donald Trump will be testifying next Wednesday before the Senate Judiciary Committee as the Russia scandal is poised to dominate another week of Trump’s presidency.

    The bad news for Donald Trump is that the appearance of his son and former campaign manager before a Senate committee is guaranteed to keep the Russia scandal at the front of the news, and there is bound to be some interesting revelations coming out of that hearing as the dark Russia cloud that is following Trump is growing more ominous by the day.

    http://www.politicususa.com/2017/07/19/trumps-russia-disaster-worsens-paul-manafort-donald-trump-jr-testify-week.html

  29. A Senate inquiry has been told of the potentially tragic consequences of Australia’s lax building laws, with experts warning it is only a matter of time before a Grenfell Tower-style tragedy unfolds locally. Dodgy sprinklers, aggressive profiteering and a lack of regulation were highlighted in evidence to a Senate inquiry investigating non-conforming building products in Sydney on Wednesday. All the CFMEU’s fault no doubt.

    No, it’s John Howard’s fault. He was the one who unleashed the greedy animal spirits. He caused the transformation, with his introduction of the ABN and the glorification of the ‘Tradie’, from what used to be quiet, proud Tradesmen, plying their Trades which extended back to the era of the Guilds, and who saw their work as an extension of their good name and the reputation associated with their work…to the loud-mouthed, Ray Hadley listening, Ute-driving, environment tearing up, greedy loud-mouthed rip-off merchants, moving from one quick ‘flip’ or housing development to another. Ripping off the Subbies and the Apprentices they employ, if they employ any directly, allowing unsafe work sites to become the norm, withholding Super and other payments legally due, then, without a blush, Phoenixing their companies to evade the legal responsibility to do so when they are finally caught up with by the limp-wristed authorities.

    And they thus don’t see anything wrong with voting with the Big End of Town these days.
    Howard’s ‘Aspirationals’ my arsk! They’ve just transformed themselves from proud Tradesmen to greedy, loud, heartless ‘Tradies’ and Developers.

  30. Fox News Poll Humiliates Trump As His Supporters Are Fleeing Over Healthcare

    A new Fox News poll has Trump losing support among Republicans (-3), white men (-9), and working class whites (-11), which means that Trump’s small base of support is continuing to shrink.

    According to Fox News, “Approval of the president has mostly held steady among Republicans (down three points) since he first took office, but dropped 11 points among working class whites and nine among men. Meanwhile, voters think Russia interfered in the U.S. election (by a 55-34 percent margin), and five times as many think the Kremlin wanted a President Trump (65 percent) as opposed to a President Hillary Clinton (13 percent).

    Trump has a major problem on health care. By a margin of 59%-32%, respondents disapprove of his performance on health care. Fifty-four percent of respondents said that Trump isn’t on their side, and 51% described that the change that Trump has brought as bad.

    It isn’t the Russia scandal that is driving supporters away from Trump. It is healthcare

    In the long-term, the Russia may destroy Trump’s presidency, but if Democrats win back Congress, healthcare, not Russia will be the biggest reason why.

    http://www.politicususa.com/2017/07/19/trump-numbers-plummet-men-working-class-whites-supporters-flee-healthcare.html

  31. Victoria

    All this is more than depressing. It is disastrous.
    I can’t believe that relaxed, humorous Australia has morphed, however slowly, into this. Someone suggested that Centrelink might soon be under Dutton rule as well.

    Something’s gotta give soon.

  32. E

    The only polling on Dickson shows that Dutton is going backwards —

    ‘#ReachTEL Poll Seat of Dickson Primary Votes: Dutton LNP 35.4 (-9.2) ALP 29.2 (-5.7) ON 16.8 GRN 9.4 (-0.5) Other 3.7 Undecided 5.5 #auspol
    10:32 AM – 20 Mar 2017’

    …these figures are consistent with overall polls for Queensland federally —

    http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/queensland-government/galaxy-poll-finds-labor-leading-in-queensland/news-story/03fee4ae6ec6f3294d96001d5c259b68

  33. Luckily they can’t withdraw funding support for GetUp as they are self-funded.

    No, but they can try to make what they do and how they do it illegal.

  34. ..the high PHON vote might translate for a win for Dutton regardless, but there’s little evidence of his personal vote holding up.

  35. victoria @ #1069 Thursday, July 20, 2017 at 8:37 am

    Itzadream
    Here in Australia, we don’t give a second thought to approaching a police officer at any time to speak our mind or seek help. Sadly this is not an approach we can take if in the USA. The gun culture demands shoot first ask questions later. Really sad state of affairs.

    Yes, the US should really stop pretending that in many places they have police.

    How can you serve and protect something you are constantly fearful of?

    In a society where many of the population are armed is it really surprising that law enforcers behave like soldiers rather than police.

    An effective police force requires the trust and confidence of the Community, when this does not exist people feel the need to take matters into their own hands to protect and defend themselves.

    This then further undermines the police’s confidence when dealing with the Community and the police become just an armed security force.

    Add to the mix growing wealth inequality, racial and religious tensions you get an even more unstable environment.

    And where does all this start?

    GUNS!

  36. The mayor of Minnesota does give an interesting insight when she says you’ve got to remember that the US is a land of gun-owners. Police think very differently there. Australian cops would not normally worry about someone approaching their vehicle to have a weapon. In the US they would.

  37. Cat

    No, but they can try to make what they do and how they do it illegal.

    Yes, that’s a worry, after their attack on environmental groups and de-funding legal support.

    Will every democratic rally be set on by blackshirts???

  38. A new Fox News poll has Trump losing support among Republicans (-3), white men (-9), and working class whites (-11), which means that Trump’s small base of support is continuing to shrink.

    Can we assume that poll is reliable, being from Fox News and all.

  39. grimace @ #1073 Thursday, July 20, 2017 at 8:47 am

    itzadream @ #1064 Thursday, July 20, 2017 at 8:26 am

    What strikes me as especially tragic about the shooting of Justine Damond by the rookie cop, with a history, who refuses to make a statement, is that she was a rescuer – yoga teacher, meditation, healer, helper of ducks cross the road – who was naive enough or so lacking in local street cred as to go it alone into the American night. I’m not blaming her; we all take our local sensibilities with us when we travel or move to a new place.
    ‘Samaritanism’ can be a risky business, which is not to say it is not the honourable path. (not sure how many nots I need, but you get the drift)

    I want to reiterate that the rookie cop, in not talking (he did issue a public statement) is doing what any competent lawyer would advise their client to do in the same situation: keep their mouth shut. There are some situations in life where you can only talk yourself into (more) trouble.
    He is entitled to due process of law and we should not interpret his silence as guilt.

    Actually the Senior cop was the shooter, he has 2 years experience while the driver with one year was the “rookie”.

  40. Despite all the efforts within the Liberals to silence Abbott, it seems that he is remaining as loud as ever and has no intention of departing any time soon.

    His comments yesterday indicate that he, along with fellow travellers like Sheridan, are opposed to the super ministry that Turnbull has created for Dutton and will continue to create trouble for Turnbull. In turn, this may force Turnbull into even more extreme posturing on issues that appeal to those redneck voters who are being seduced by the likes of Hanson and Bernardi.

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