The deficit became funny but Rudd’s not laughing
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September 2008: Malcolm Farr writes in The Daily Telegraph that Kevin Rudd is considering taking on net debt for the first time in 12 years. Government goes ballistic in its denials. Newspoll shows ALP 55% - Coalition 45%
October 2008: Rudd announces the first stimulus package and says the cash will be distributed by Christmas. Punters are comfortable with the $10 billion bottom line. Newspoll shows ALP 54% - Coalition 46%.
November 2009: Rudd spills the worst-kept secret in Government - that the Budget will go into “temporary deficit”. Newspoll two weeks later shows ALP 59% - Coalition 41%.
December 2008: Harvey Norman reports bumper Christmas sales, up 9 per cent on previous year. Kevin Rudd Santa Clause jokes start. Newspoll shows ALP 59% - Coalition 41%....
March 2009: Stimulus 2.0 - Every bottle shop, electrical store, car wash, travel agent and caravan park starts calling on people to spend their Kevin Kash with them. Newspoll shows ALP 56% - Coalition 44 %.
Early April 2009: Cold reality of the deficit takes warmth out of voters’ $900 glow. Doesn’t stop your friends updating their Facebook status to “Just been stimulating my kids with Rudd money - thanks Kevin.” Newspoll shows ALP 58% - Coalition 42%.
Late April 2009: Outburst from Rove during his Sunday night show a sure sign Rudd’s spending spree and the big bill at the end has jumped the shark. Next Newspoll (May 5) shows ALP 55% - Coalition 45%.
May 12, 2009: Everyone stops laughing at 7.30pm when Wayne Swan reveals just how up the creek we are.
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