High Voter Hesitations on Rudd

A common tactic political parties use to determine how to undermine their opponents is to explore voters' hesitations about supporting a particular candidate or party.

Often, the question is framed in the following way: "Thinking about the next election, and regardless of how you intend to vote, what would make you hesitate about voting for PARTY X or CANDIDATE Y?"

The results help political strategists identify and target the perceived "weaknesses" or concerns voters have about supporting that candidate and/or party.

As with all communication, and particularly in advertising, it is much easier to convince someone of a position if they already have a predisposition to, or believe, that view.

Using the research the political strategists then seek to reinforce and repeat voters already held hesitations or concerns through thier messaging, advertising and campaigning.

This week's Galaxy poll explored some of those voter hesitations on Rudd.

For Labor and Rudd, there are some disturbing results with high levels of concern on a number of issues. For the Government, it provides ample opportunities to attack.

The poll found that 42% of all voters were concerned that unions would have too much power under a Rudd Labor Government. Forty-two percent were worried interest rates would rise; 40% though the Rudd team was too inexperienced and 37% were concerned a Rudd Government would run up debt.

In total 67% of voters expressed some concern about Rudd and his team. Even among Labor voters, 45% of them had some concern about a Rudd Government.

These are high levels of concern among voters that Rudd and his team will need to nullify.

What is clear is that Howard, Costello and other Coalition members have clearly been getting similar research in their private polling. Any simple observation of their attacks on Rudd and Labor have been focused on these issues.

Be ready for their continued attack on Rudd on these central voter concerns - union power, interest rates, experience and economic management.