The end of an era?

[MotherBear]

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.

More here .

[MotherBear]

National making no race of it
Page 1 of 2 5:00AM Saturday May 26, 2007
By Audrey Young


John Key is sitting on 45.5% support as preferred Prime Minister, while Helen Clark has slipped to 42.1%

National is so far ahead of Labour in the Herald's post-Budget poll that it would win in a landslide if an election were held tomorrow.

The Herald-DigiPoll survey shows 50.9 per cent of decided voters supporting National.

Translated into votes, this would enable National to govern on its own, with 64 seats out of 122.

Labour is more than 17 points behind National, on 33.6 per cent.

Labour has been trailing National in most major polls, but this poll taken during the week after the Budget widens the gulf between them, putting National up about 7 points and Labour down about 7.

National leader John Key is ahead of Prime Minister Helen Clark as preferred Prime Minister. The poll shows 45.5 per cent support for him (up 9.3 points) and 42.1 per cent for her (down 5.6).

More here

John Key