Nothing like a scandal to get the press as Thomson moves up the charts

Volume up across the board after a brief dip during the winter break. Neither Julia Gillard nor Tony Abbott can blame publicity seeking by Kevin Rudd or Malcolm Turnbull for their latest poor personal ratings in the polls, with Kevin Rudd way down in the second half of the list and Malcolm Turnbull off it altogether, but Tony Abbott will be feeling the far more sanguine when looking at the party votes, clearly sticking to the catechism that Oppositions don’t win elections, Governments lose them.

Craig Thomson was of course the PM’s most pressing immediate headache this week, although big job losses in manufacturing also fed the migraine, while COAG kept the Premiers high on the list, most happy with progress at the meeting despite some bravely going down in their attempt to stop the carbon price, which I’m sure was a deep shock.

Apart from Craig Thomson, the Independents were the main movers, most variously defending the working man and the farmer from the evils of the big end of town and that terrible free trade thingy that has in general made us all so wealthy, while another attacked the “evils” of gay marriage, but all getting themselves out and about in the retail fashion that got them into the parliament in the first place, while Craig Emerson stuck up for both the benefits of free trade and Craig Thomson in a busy media week for him. Well, at least he’s on one winner.

A threeway race in social media, with most callers and tweeters reflecting unfavourably on Mr Thomson’s perceived judgment and/or perceived personal habits. A lot of people to potentially sue … not sure that’s going to happen.

The latest reality sensation is an old sensation. Perhaps interesting that people seem to be into renovation once more despite the flat property market? Or perhaps there’s just nothing else on.