If the opinion polls have got it right, David Cameron will be deprived of an overall majority at best, squeezed out of the post-election coalition carve up, at worst. Either way, it will prove a huge blow for Rupert Murdoch whose Sun newspaper ditched Labour last autumn in favour of Cameron’s Conservatives.
Murdoch has a reputation for backing winners. But his touch has deserted him before. Most recently in 2008 when his New York Post endorsed John McCain rather than his presidential rival – and eventual President – Barack Obama.
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I was reminded of this fact when editing a piece for the forthcoming New Statesman by Peter Wilby this morning. (Wilby’s analysis of the Sun and Daily Mail during this British election season is well worth looking out for.)
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The New York Post editorial from 8 September 2008 is well worth looking at too, especially this on McCain’s running mate:
McCain has been in Washington for many years now, but he is not of Washington. He knows where the levers of power are located – and how to manipulate them – but he is not controlled by them.
McCain’s selection of the charming, but rock-solid, outsider Sarah Palin as his running mate underscores the point.
Rock solid?