Via politico: "Murdoch has never strayed from his free-market beliefs, but his exact political views have always been difficult to pin down. Among those politicians he's backed through the years: Thatcher, Reagan, Blair, Koch, and McCain."

Add to that list, Whitlam and Fraser. Yes, that Whitlam, but prior to the constitutional crisis. I think it is fair to say Murdoch backs the obvious winners. As goes the country, so goes the media - to warp Paul Keating's phrase. The media is ultimately a reflection of their demographics and market base.