Australian PM John Howard scored a victory over Labor Party leader Mark Latham, ensuring that the coalition built by President Bush will remain intact. Latham ran on a Kerryesque platform, arguing the Iraq invasion was a distraction from the international fight against terrorism and promising to bring the troops home before Christmas.

According to NRO’s John Sullivan, the election outcome would send a powerful message to the Islamic terrorists:

A defeat for Howard on Saturday would be interpreted in most of the world as a defeat for the U.S. and a repudiation of Australia's involvement in Iraq. It would reinforce the impact of the Spanish election: Two leaders who backed Bush would have lost power. Above all, it would embolden the Islamist terrorists to think that their enemies were falling like ninepins and their cause succeeding — which in turn would strengthen their appeal in the Islamic world.

Certainly, the Australians sent a decisive signal to the murderous thugs plotting against democracy. But the US election will be more than a signal to AQ and its like, it will be a decisive proclamation: either “we will continue to hunt and kill you wherever you may hide” or “we’re just gonna to wait for a global test on what to do with you, raising taxes is far more important.”

Hat tip: Powerline.

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» Thoughts on the Election "Down Under" from Cranial Cavity
Here are a few excerpts and various thoughts on the John Howard victory as Australian Prime Minister. Chrenkoff - The international implications:Would have been much greater had the Howard government lost. We can all imagine how the media would port... [Read More]

Tracked on October 9, 2004 6:23 PM

» John Howard and Coalition Win in Australia! from The Blog Hill
...This IS a mandate. Despite the reports in the media that people do not like the Iraq policy, the truth is the exact opposite. They want someone who will continue to keep Australia safe by fighting the battle abroad.... [Read More]

Tracked on October 10, 2004 12:29 AM