Could I recommend the seat-by-seat profiles on the “marginals” on pollbludger.com – these are a series of vignettes from across the nation where the ALP candidate is diligent, competent and likeable, has a modest score of runs on the board, and is absolutely romping it in over the poor incumbent who has to eat Howard’s shit and respond to questions like “Mummy, who is that man with the brown teeth?”.

pablo, water is an issue though the winter rains have the water supply back up to 23.5% now. Also, the Mardi-Mangrove link will help greatly.

Andrew E, gotta agree with tig. That is one mighty fine take down of Neal. It will be interesting to see if voter dislike of Neal be a bigger factor that local issues/WorkChoices. It it will be an amusing sideline for the election.

Every morning that woman gets up and sprays herself with voter repellent.

Campaiging in that area unfortunately confirms your diagnosis. It is beyond depressing because the ALP should ‘own’ that seat and Dobell. Nothing could better illustrate the debacle that is the ALP than the state of both Party organisation (virtually none) and Party talent (ditto) in those areas. Luckily, the voters in that area are being organised, but not of course by the candidate, since that kind of work requires an ability to listen, to take people seriously, and to work hard. These kinds of attributes are simply not required of the spouse of a Minister of State and past State party secretary.

if there’s anyone who can make Jeanette Howard look warm and witty, it’s Belinda Neal. Every morning that woman gets up and sprays herself with voter repellent.

Now there’s a fine entry for my well-crafted scorn thread.

I think Jones was hit-and-miss as both politician and thinker, but he demonstrated the correct procedure (and an utterly human reaction) when confronted with Belinda Neal.

Shaun, I grew up in Kincumber and will bet you that even Jim Lloyd will be part of the Federal Parliamentary Liberal Party this time next year, no matter what else happens. Neal is the ultimate backroom hack that should not be allowed anywhere near punters, let alone have her mug on corflutes and HTVs. She’s like one of those ugly fish you find deep in the ocean but which can’t survive close the sunlight – let alone surfers and other species. Even Jeanette Howard does not coast along on her husband’s name and title like she does, and if there’s anyone who can make Jeanette Howard look warm and witty, it’s Belinda Neal. Every morning that woman gets up and sprays herself with voter repellent.

Robertson should be one of those seats (like Makin or Bonner) that are so squarely in the Labor column that the Libs should just let it go, but Lloyd’s hard work and tenacity should be enough to see him home. The Liberals’ machine on the Central Coast is one of their best in NSW: they are not geniuses but there are myths to be made by taking on Mrs Della Bosca and beating her in the face of (what is for the Liberals nationally) dire adversity.

Neal will get the blame, and she’ll deserve it: but if you thought there was some arm-twisting and skullduggery in getting Neal up, wait until it comes time to lay blame. The next state election is in 2011, after this Federal election and the next one. There are four Central Coast seats in the NSW State Parliament and Labor currently hold 3 of these. Labor’s ability to win Robertson and Dobell in this election, and the next one, and the State election after that, will be impeded by the scar tissue built up in the past year or so. Onya Bel!

Neal would only get up in 2007 if the swing was even greater than it is – 1975 in reverse – and even then she’d squeak in and be gone next time. If Belinda Neal is the answer, the question is too ridiculous to even consider when voting.

Let me guess where his preferences are going:
(1) Shooters, rooters and cooters party, (2) No Darkies party, (3) Banks are evil party.

Vote for Bird! If you don’t vote Bird, you’re a LYING to YOURSELF!

Amanda, I’m just waiting for the Australian branch of the Official Monster Raving Looney part to declare their candidate as a compliment to the LDP’s candidate.

Strangely though her partner is listed without any acknowledgement of his postion or role- just plain old John.
Bit like a situation where Maxine Mackew could list Bob Hogg as Robert I suppose.

Are any of the overlooked candidates running a spoiling campaign?