Fed: Rupert Murdoch endorses Kevin Rudd as future PM

AAP General News (Australia)
04-21-2007
Fed: Rupert Murdoch endorses Kevin Rudd as future PM

CANBERRA, April 21 AAP - Media Mogul Rupert Murdoch has endorsed Labor leader Kevin
Rudd, saying he would make a good Australian prime minister.

Mr Rudd met for a one-hour private meeting with Mr Murdoch at the News Corporation's
New York headquarters today but the meeting was extended when the pair decided to have
dinner together at a local restaurant.

Channel Seven reported that when asked if Mr Rudd would make a good prime minister,
Mr Murdoch replied "Oh, I'm sure."

Mr Murdoch has previously given his public support of world leaders who went on to
win their elections, including Britain's Margaret Thatcher and Tony Blair and US President
George W. Bush.

He also has been a supporter of Prime Minister John Howard but would not say if Mr
Howard should step aside.

"We'll have to see and make a judgment at the end of the year," he said.

Mr Rudd will return to Australia on Monday from his first overseas visit as opposition leader.

Mr Rudd has met with US government officials and business leaders and yesterday addressed
the prestigious left-wing thinktank The Brookings Institution.

In his wide-ranging speech on the Australia-US alliance, Mr Rudd urged the United States
to ratify the Kyoto protocol and said the economic potential of the relationship with
China for both Australia and the US was great.

"Australia's challenge, therefore, as with the United States, is to maximise our common
economic interest with China while robustly asserting, both publicly and privately, our
continuing points of difference and disagreement," he said.

There are no more official meetings on Mr Rudd's agenda, but he is expected to meet
with a New York football team, the Magpies, in a social event tomorrow.

A spokesman for Mr Rudd confirmed that he would not meet with US Democrat candidates
Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama as suggested.

AAP sld/jt/bwl

KEYWORD: RUDD MURDOCH

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