Murdoch's "polite" endorsement of Labor

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Federal Opposition leader Kevin Rudd says media mogul Rupert Murdoch was "just being polite" when he appeared to endorse his bid to become prime minister.

Mr Murdoch and Mr Rudd had a one-hour private meeting at the News Corporation's New York headquarters yesterday and then had dinner together.

When asked after the meeting if Mr Rudd would make a good prime minister, Mr Murdoch replied "Oh, I'm sure''.

But Mr Rudd today shrugged off questions over whether he thought Mr Murdoch had endorsed him as future prime minister.

"Look, I appreciate Mr Murdoch's polite remarks,'' he said in New York.

"I think Mr Murdoch's just being polite.

"I've got a long, long way to go in this race and I think everyone knows that.''