Fed: War a voter turn-off for all leaders, Crean

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Fed: War a voter turn-off for all leaders, Crean

By Ben Packham

MELBOURNE, Feb 18 AAP - Federal Opposition Leader Simon Crean today said uncertaintyabout the prospect of a war with Iraq had turned the public off all political leaders.

Mr Crean's popularity fell in the latest Newspoll, with more than 50 per cent of votersexpressing dissatisfaction with his performance for the first time since he replaced KimBeazley.

Prime Minister John Howard's popularity also slipped to an eight-month low of 48 per cent.

Mr Crean said the poll reflected the fact that Australians did not want to become involvedin a US-led war with Iraq, as shown by recent peace rallies.

"The polls reflect all sorts of things but at the moment the polls are reflecting thesimple fact that people do not want Australia to back a US-led unilateral attack," hetold reporters.

Asked why his own popularity had gone backwards, Mr Crean said: "Because I think thereis a lot of uncertainty and angst associated with the talk of war.

"People don't like it, they're frightened for the consequences here, they're uncertainas to what is going to happen, and I think that that is a turn-off to all political leadership.

"If you look at the poll, there's been no bounce for anyone, including the Greens."

Mr Crean reiterated his position that Australia should not go to war without UN backing,saying he had not taken the stance for cynical political motives.

"If we can continue to pressure John Howard to not go down the unilateralist path butto support the United Nations route, that is the best outcome for this country," he toldreporters.

"And I will argue that as opposition leader, I argue it because I believe it."

AAP bp/gfr/ph/de

KEYWORD: IRAQ CREAN POLL