Is this the beginning of the end for Clark?
5:00AM Tuesday May 15, 2007
By John Armstrong
John Key's toppling of Helen Clark in the preferred prime minister ratings is not only a huge psychological blow to Labour. In also registering a 12-point lead for National in the party standings, the latest 3 News-TNS poll may - repeat may - indicate a difficult-to-reverse hardening of the electorate's mood against Labour.
Mr Key's ending of Helen Clark's eight-year reign as preferred prime minister could yet prove temporary. But it is highly symbolic. It removes the aura of invincibility which has surrounded her. It means she is beatable.
The poll may be a sign that Labour's woes are starting to damage the Prime Minister's previously high personal standing with voters.
That could be a turning point. Helen Clark's attributes as a strong but pragmatic leader have shored up Labour's overall standing by bringing on board voters, especially female voters, who barely identified with the party's ideology, but who liked and respected the way she handled the job of prime minister.
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