Anna Bligh For Premier

[Calliope]

Before we judge her too harshly in this situation, let's remember that she has had a huge responsibility on her, has had to be on top of various situations all at the same time, be constantly in front of cameras and available to press and radio media, and has probably had damn all sleep.

I have genuinely been impressed by the way she has managed this disastrous mess and how she has mostly struck a good balance between human empathy and objective competence.

I don't know anyone who has judged her harshly. She has done a very impressive job considering all the dead weight she has to carry and the need to balance her support between metropolitan and remote districts trying not to appear to favor one over the other.

Do you really think the dentist would have done better?

I can't recall saying or inferring this.

 

[ColB]

I didn't see that interview but suspect such a comment might have been made in an attempt to gather herself together if she'd just succumbed to the verge of tears. I can think of plenty of instances in my own life when to cover emotion I've said something I later thought was pretty dumb.

Before we judge her too harshly in this situation, let's remember that she has had a huge responsibility on her, has had to be on top of various situations all at the same time, be constantly in front of cameras and available to press and radio media, and has probably had damn all sleep.

I have genuinely been impressed by the way she has managed this disastrous mess and how she has mostly struck a good balance between human empathy and objective competence.

Do you really think the dentist would have done better?

Originally posted by Julia 29 December 2010 QLD Flood thread
I'm sure everyone is aware of the disaster that is affecting much of Queensland at present. Much inconvenience for most of us, but huge loss for many whose homes and businesses have been inundated.

Reason for the thread is my utter disgust that Premier Anna Bligh, as a result of huge public pressure via the media, actually dragged herself back from holiday to swan about in a chopper today and declare open the "Flood Appeal", magnificently begun by the massive donation of the government of a whole $1 million!!!

How obscenely disgusting. This paltry sum is probably less than is being spent with the fireworks in Brisbane on New Year's Eve.

No wonder she has an approval rating of about 27%.
It wouldn't even be that much if the opposition had anything to recommend them.

Mmmmm! Swinging Voter Julia??

 

[Julia]

Mmmmm! Swinging Voter Julia??

Actually, yes, I am, both re state and federal elections.

Your quoting of my two different views is a bit silly, really. She clearly didn't treat the situation as seriously as she should have at the start. However, since then she has well and truly made up for it.

I stand by what I said in regard to her behaviour at the time I said it.

 

[Calliope]

I think this puts Ms Bligh's television performances in perspective. Personally I cannot stand the woman, and I would need more than a few staged television appearances to cause me to vote Labor.

Bligh was praised both for demonstrating Queenslanders' strength in adversity, and later for her emotion when she broke down at a press conference.

All of this, to me, is bizarre. Are we so shallow that the television performances of politicians during a disaster should cause their promotion or demotion? ...

A politician's role in disaster management should not be demonstrating sufficient empathy, but to put in place policies that mitigate the disaster in the first place or prevent it happening again.

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/new...during-disasters/story-e6frg6zo-1225988003775

 

[It's Snake Pliskin]

...and the policies are?

 

[Calliope]

I have also revised my opinion of Campbell Newman, who I have never liked; he deserves heaps of praise for his no-nonsense let’s get on with it attitude.

It's good to hear from you again Daisy. If my memory serves me correctly, you were the one who so aptly described Quentin Bryce as a "stick insect."

I think you are spot on about Campbell Newman. He is not on about being liked. He has avoided the empathy and the platitudes and concentrated on practical measures on cleaning up Brisbane's mess. His background in engineering and the army stands him in good stead.

Bligh's background is the usual Labor politician's; union activities and government jobs.
She courts popularity by showing empathy and mouthing platitudes. She is obviously good at this and her approval is rising.

 

[Logique]

An amusing and perceptive post Calliope

 

[pixel]

Sadly, this was an opportunity for both Julia and Tony to drop the crap and show us who they really are and what they are made of and in my estimation, they both failed abysmally.

They did, Daisy. They just did

 

[moXJO]

If leading the state was all about how well you come across on tv, then Bligh would scoop the award. The way everyone is talking, it seems it is.
I bet KK in NSW is praying for rain.

 

[sails]

If leading the state was all about how well you come across on tv, then Bligh would scoop the award. The way everyone is talking, it seems it is.
I bet KK in NSW is praying for rain.

Although she was slow in the beginning, I'm impressed with her eventual ability to handle this crisis and will give credit where it is due. However, it doesn't undo the state problems created under her management.

It seems that we have to be in a state of disaster for Anna to shine. What happens when things get back to normal - do we go back to the old spin and funny games again?

I would hope KK isn't wishing this awful disaster on her electorate simply for her own political future...

 

[sails]

While Anna Bligh eventually handled the flood crisis well, how she handles the aftermath and recovery will show whether she reverts back to the old habits of spin and excuses.

$84m has been raised so far in the Premier's Disaster relief appeal. Will this be given to those who need it or will it be another bureacratic disaster?

IMO the next few weeks or months will more likely be the making or breaking of Anna Bligh politically.

Just my observations...

 

[Calliope]

Yes, it's too good to be true.

Mungo MacCallum on Crikey.com yesterday:

FROM being a political pariah, whipped by the media and scorned by the voters, [Bligh] had surpassed St Mary MacKillop as a model of virtue and rectitude. The transformation has been one of those rare political miracles that is just too good to be true. Much too good, and it probably isn't.

 

[Julia]

She always had been good at presenting herself via the media. She has an exceptionally pleasant and clear speaking voice (in stark contrast to Ms Gillard).

In this regard, and in her general confidence in handling the media pleasantly, she also leaves for dead the dentist who has a somewhat high and unimpressive voice, which usually produces uninspiring remarks.

Please LNP bring back Mal Brough in a leadership position. That's about your only hope.

Or convert Can Do Newman to State politics. He'd be a shoo- in imo.

 

[Wysiwyg]

I noticed on the news the ALP QLD gov. project an ever increasing budget deficit from what is a + 2 billion deficit now. Something to do with interest rates.

Stop the debt cycle now you fools.

 

[Glen48]

The BoE has announced they will not let 2008 happen again and have introduced new rules to make sure it will never happen again and the BoE (No relation to QE ) has been around a lot longer the Qld treasury. If the BoE could not spot a bubble and still can't see whats gong on what hope does QLD T have of being budget wise, they all know its not their money , they all know the taxpayer will bail them out, they all know they have to do 3 terms and they are on easy street for life.
Novocaine could help but you will need it in large doses. Look after your own life as much as possible and don't think they are there to protect you.
One is as bad as the other.

 

[Calliope]

Qld Labor is picking up ground against the one-man opposition, but is still well behind. However the majority of this poll was taken before the $16M Department of Health embezzlement scam hit the headlines. Labor supporters can take heart. This is a demonstration of the old bungling and wasteful Labor government that we know and love and have always elected. It can only help them.

ANNA Bligh has clawed back part of the commanding lead opened up by the conservatives in Queensland under the leadership of former Brisbane lord mayor Campbell Newman, in a Newspoll that may entice her to delay a state election tipped for February.

Mr Newman's satisfaction rating levels slipped during the October-December survey, conducted exclusively for The Australian, while Labor's base vote lifted from a near rock-bottom 27 per cent, to 31 per cent, against 44 per cent for the Liberal National Party. Once preferences are factored in, the ALP trails the Liberal National Party by 12 points, 44 per cent to 56 per cent.

While Newspoll shows that Ms Bligh has narrowed the gap on Mr Newman and the LNP, Labor would still lose at least half of its 51 state seats in Queensland and be bundled out after 13 years in power.

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/nat...sland-state-poll/story-e6frgczx-1226225312937

 

[Garpal Gumnut]

Bligh is done for.

My contacts in George St. tell me that the outing of the King of Tahiti as a commoner is but the tip of the iceberg, and even more serious allegations are to come in March.

The election is thus set for Feb 18. Put it in your calendar.

Newman will romp in, and I will vote for him.

Tahiti has not been a good place for people called Bligh.

gg

 

[Calliope]

Bligh will probably call the poll soon. Bligh, Gillard and the Stick Insect and the Labor publicity machine have been working flat out this week to revive the memories of the flood and the heroism of Bligh in rallying the faithful to save Queensland from catastrophe.

 

[noco]

Bligh will probably call the poll soon. Bligh, Gillard and the Stick Insect and the Labor publicity machine have been working flat out this week to revive the memories of the flood and the heroism of Bligh in rallying the faithful to save Queensland from catastrophe.

Yes, they never miss a media beat up presentation hoping the public will swallow their compassion for people who suffered in the disasters of last year. How really sincere are they or are they taking advantage of a horrible situation?

Bet they praying for a lift in the polls at the expense of somebody else's misfortune.

No sorry Gillard won't be praying, she is just preying.

 

[noco]

Yes, they never miss a media beat up presentation hoping the public will swallow their compassion for people who suffered in the disasters of last year. How really sincere are they or are they taking advantage of a horrible situation?

Bet they praying for a lift in the polls at the expense of somebody else's misfortune.

No sorry Gillard won't be praying, she is just preying.

Goanna Bligh HAS JUST SPENT OVER $1 MILLION in tax payers funds on promoting herself before an election due any day.

That $1 million could have been spent on roads NQ.

SHAME ON HER.


http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/...-on-the-taxpayer/story-fnbt5t29-1226246835290