Diplomat's warning not to erode Rudd's standing in Washington after Trump barbs
www.abc.net.au
The federal opposition's rush to jump on US presidential hopeful Donald Trump's character assessment of Australia's envoy in Washington could erode his standing in the capital, a former senior diplomat has warned.
  • In short: Australia’s former high commissioner to the United Kingdom, George Brandis, cautioned politicians against criticising diplomatic appointments.
  • On Wednesday, former US president Donald Trump said he had heard Kevin Rudd “was a little bit nasty”.
  • What’s next? The Coalition has questioned Dr Rudd’s tenure, suggesting he will not be able to work with Mr Trump if he is returned to the White House later this year.
  • AJ Sadauskas@aus.social
    5·
    9 months ago

    @unionagainstdhmo @Kachilde Also depends on how narrow the loss is.

    A “hanging chad” election that goes to the Supreme Court (like Bush—Gore) is basically a Trump win at this point.

    A landslide wipeout like Walter Mondale in '84 to Biden is possibly the best outcome.

    A relatively close Biden win, and there almost certainly will be violence.

      • AJ Sadauskas@aus.social
        1·
        9 months ago

        @Ilandar But it’s really not.

        The US has voluntary voting. Typically only a little over 50% of eligible voters turn up to vote.

        That means even if the GOP managed to get 50% of the popular vote, that’s just 25% of eligible voters.

        Let’s assume that 50% of those Republican voters are core loyal Trump supporters.

        Okay, well that’s just 12.5% of the US population.

        A considerable percentage, no doubt. But for context, around 14% of the US population is black.

        Now if 75% or more of the population isn’t voting Republican, then a landslide is absolutely possible.

        And if that landslide is not just in the presidential race, but on many down-ballot races as well, you’re going to start to see the non-Trumpists in the GOP distance themselves from Don pretty bloody quickly.