Kevin Rudd’s preferred PM rating in this morning’s Nielsen poll (the first since Tony Abbott won the Liberal Leadership) was down 9 points to 58 per cent. Expect the Government to ramp up the attacks on the top three Coalition finance guys, Mr Abbott, Joe Hockey and Barnaby Joyce. Although it will be interesting to see how far Lindsay Tanner can dial up his rhetoric, having already called the shadow finance minister a “freak show”. Who knows fresh terms of abuse he’s got up his rather long sleeve.

Question Time Live: 08/02/10