The Election

[whitecrow]

As you all know, there is an Election going on where the swing electorates may, indeed decide who wins power. It's a nervous time of year, but I'm going to belittle it with a tawdry poll! YEEE-HAAA!

So, seeing as I highly doubt ANY of you know anythign about either candidate, I value your opinion more highly than any politcal editor! That's right, I'm just going to put their pictures and you vote on your gut feeling. But HURRY! The vote is on OCTOBER 9!

October?


What?

Shit yeah, there's an Australian Federal Election this saturday, we get to decide who runs OUR country.

Go forth and Plunder!
http://www.alp.org.au/images/tpl/latham_head.jpg - Mark Latham
http://www.idu.org/johnhwrd.jpg - John Howard.

[whitecrow]

Aww crap. I misspelt Latham's name.

[Diva]

I fixed the name, sweets. Do we get any background on the candidates?

[dynamitt]

My opinion... If Howard goes on RoveLive (a talk show similar to David Letterman show)on tuesday, then vote for Howard, if not vote for Letham :D

Im really glad I dont have to vote... and Im really looking forward to watch tv again without political commercial...

[whitecrow]

I fixed the name, sweets. Do we get any background on the candidates?


Nah, it's more fun this way, if I gave you background, you might sway one way or the other (be you left leaning or right leaning) I just want to see what your GUT opinion is. Afterwards, I'll add the descriptions :)

[Evilpoptart]

I went with the younger guy because they tend to be more Liberal when compared to a bald white male. And with the old guy looking consipated and having a name like Johhny Boy, you know he is southern aka redneck, and we know how religious they can be aka Conservative

Am I close?

[Lilith]

Going from photos, Latham looks like a lawyer weasel, and Howard looks like a fucking conservative. Of course, that's a really wild guess. And no, I don't like either of them.

[Bassmama]

LATHAM HAS NO FUCKING LIPS!!!!! I tend to not trust anyone that has no lips & a forced, fake looking smile. His smile does not go to his eyes.


Howard looks more honest & sincere- his smile is not forced (more natural) & even his eyes are smiling.

[whitecrow]

* whitecrow is loving this thread.

Aww you guys are great. Hang about, in a couple of days I'll tell you who's who.

[whitecrow]

Well the Election is over and the Bad Guys won, and it's a very sad thing. Unlike in the US there is no law for how many terms a leader can serve, and it's a problem. Many things are fucked up.

John Howard, the leader (and still Prime Minister) of the Liberal Coalition party, which - despite it's name - the conservative right. (Republicans for you yanks, err, American friends)

He returns for his record making fourth term in office with a 3% swing in his party's favour. The Liberal party will not only control the lower house (The House Of Reps) but for the first time since the 80's they will also at the same time control the Senate (upper house) which means all sorts of right wing nonsense will be passed.

This country will, at the end of this term have had a right wing government over it for 16 years, the second longest term after the Liberal stalwart, Malcolm Fraser.

Mark Latham, the "new blood" leader of the Australian Labor party (Our Democrat touchstone, for you 'mericans) will have to be content with minimising what damage he can. This will be the biggest and most important four years of his life, only a great term as leader of the opposition will see him succeed in 2008 and make him like hie Labor hero, Gough Whitlam.

It's a fucking shame this country has gone so right wing in the past few years and it'll get worse over the next four years before it gets better.

Fuck you, Australia.