Howard defiant on Iraq ('Throw me out')

theage ^ | February 18, 2003

[Indy Pendance]

Prime Minister John Howard challenged the Australian people to throw him out of office if they did not like his policy on Iraq.

"If the public at the next election doesn't like the job I've done, they'll throw me out," he told the Nine Network after a Newspoll showed his personal standing had slumped as he supported US action against Iraq.

Labor, which insists on a new United Nations mandate for military action, was equally defiant in the face of the poll, which showed a further slide in Opposition Leader Simon Crean's popularity.

Opposition foreign affairs spokesman Kevin Rudd said Labor's national security policy was non-negotiable, adding: "And frankly, we don't give a damn what opinion polls have to say."

Newspoll showed the Coalition led Labor by 51 to 49 per cent on a two-party-preferred basis.

Mr Howard's approval rating dropped to an eight month low of 48 per cent, down from 65 per cent following the Bali bombings last October.

However, Mr Crean rated only 31 per cent and Mr Howard led him in the preferred prime minister stakes 56 to 21 per cent.

Mr Howard, who ruled out a plebiscite or conscience vote over war with Iraq, said he did not think public opinion had settled on the issue.

But in the end he would do what was in Australia's best interests and the people would have their say at the next election.

"My job is to do what I believe is right and I think it is right to take a stand against the spread of chemical and biological weapons because I'm worried they'll get into the hands of international terrorists," Mr Howard said.

Mr Crean said he thought his own popularity had slumped because of the uncertainty and angst associated with the talk of war.

"People don't like it, they're frightened for the consequences here, they're uncertain as to what is going to happen, and I think that that is a turn-off to all political leadership," he said.

"If you look at the poll, there's been no bounce for anyone, including the Greens (who unconditionally oppose war)."

The Greens, meanwhile, were angry that Iraqi propaganda was using the massive anti-war protests in Australia and round the world to claim international support for Saddam Hussein.

Greens Senator Kerry Nettle said his regime had caused death and torture to many Iraqis.

[Travis McGee]

One wonders at the pure uncensored information which Bush has shown to Blair and Howard personally, (and damn few others), to get them aboard so strongly.

I am reminded of the WW2 experience with German "Enigma" and Japanese "Magic" codes being broken. Churchill and FDR had to keep these secrets, and could not "prove their case" to the people without telling our enemies that we had broken their codes.

[Man of the Right]

I like this Howard guy more and more.

I think a statement from Bush to the effect that the U.S. regards support for Iraq as the litmus test for future relations. By that I mean, if you don't help us now, don't expect us to help you later, ever. Pay attention France, Germany and Belgium! Australia is sitting out there in Oceania with 15 million people in a country the size of the Continental U.S. with an army the size of the NYPD with comparable weaponry. Just north there are 250 million Muslims in Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Thailand and 1.3 billion Chinese bent on expansionism. Ask White South Africans how they like the Mbeki regime. If your wife isn't gang-raped by the boys from the townships, they're having a slow night. That's what Australia has to look forward to without U.S. support.

[NeoCaveman]

"If the public at the next election doesn't like the job I've done, they'll throw me out," he told the Nine Network after a Newspoll showed his personal standing had slumped as he supported US action against Iraq.

A politician with a spine, it's always refreshing to see.

[Momaw Nadon]

Attack on Iraq Betting Pool

[McGavin999]

I agree Ernest, that really should be it's own thread. It's magnificent.

[EternalHope]

Outstanding post.

[Stultis]

bump

[We Happy Few]

And remember that John Howard backed us up immediately after September 11th. I recall thinking at the time, "How long will it take till the Canadians show as much solidarity with us as the Australians?"

Loyalty is priceless. It's important to remember who your friends are. May we never forget Australia.

[Indy Pendance]

I've been posting threads related to the Philippines and the radical muslim situation there. Not much response on FR or from the major media sources either. They should be watched very carefully. Howard is doing the right thing.

[NetValue]

The Wall Street Journal this morning wrote in an editorial:

"With the U.N. abdicating its role, the U.S. is the only force on the planet capable of disarming the world's terror-supporting states. Because of that superpower status, the U.S. is also now a unique target, something that many Europeans don't seem to appreciate. Europe may think it has left its own religious and nationalist wars behind (the Balkans excepted), but too much of the rest of the world still lives by Hobbesian rules. Someone has to prevent the emergence of nuclear- and biological-armed chaos."

Obviously it will not be the UN. If it's not done by the US, who will do it? If it is not done now, will the US be more able and willing after they hit us again?

[jwalsh07]

A bump for the man down under.

[Indy Pendance]

That has been my question. If it's not the US, then who? The Germans? The French? The Belgians? What about Russia? Or how about China? If you think about it, the US could round up all the troops, bring them home, and just defend our country. We could say, to heck with the rest of the world...then what? We have the ability and resources to take care of us. *sigh* Sometimes, I wish we would....

[Arpege92]

Bush,Blair and Howard are rising up to this challenge against Saddam, even if it means death to their political careers!! They have my support!!!!

[Indy Pendance]

As we get closer to the stike date, and even after, I'm sure we will be seeing other countries support us. I even suspect France will join in, if they haven't been added to the axis of evil. But, I doubt they would be added, because they would have surrendered before that.

[Donna Lee Nardo]

God Bless Prime Minister Howard.

[Stefan Stackhouse]

Polls would become relevant only after everyone being polled had seen the same classified intelligence as the national leadership. Until then, they are nothing more than a reflection of ignorance.

[nocommies]

AMEN to that, he sounds like my man rumsfeld!!

[unspun]

Obviously this Austrialian leader is a part of the Trilateralist Conspiracy.
(No, wait, aren't France and Germany?) 8-o

[WOSG]

the greens are the left, these lefties just want it both ways - have sings that call conservative leaders "terrorists" and then when Iraqi regime uses it to gloat and make antiwar protesters look bad, they whine ... actually, they are good at that.

[Diddley]

[Bush,Blair and Howard are rising up to this challenge against Saddam, even if it means death to their political careers!! They have my support!!!!]

And Mine. I respect these men because they "see" something greater than re-election.