The Adventures of QueerPenguin

New Titanic captain?

The Lib leadership tussle is interesting. If you really wanna piss yourself, read about Tony Abbott's conviction that he has 'people skills'. I sincerely hope Bernie Banton heard that little quip in his final moments, just so he could go out with a grin on his face.

As if his nomination isn't enough of a joke, Abbott has already committed to carrying on the Howard legacy with little change. Yeah - good luck with that Tones. Sit back and watch the votes pour in come 2010/11.

Self-delusion is a powerful thing.

The Libs will have to adapt over the coming years and repudiate Howard's extremism if they ever hope to see the light of government day again. Malcolm Turnbull and Brendan Nelson both know this and are already making appropriate noises.

I must say, I'm surprised Turnbull's jumping in for it so quickly. Not because he's not insanely ambitious or absolutely convinced he's the next Liberal PM (president?), but I don't think he's being terribly strategic. Assuming the sky doesn't fall in economically over the next 3-4 years, Labor should also win the next election - and I certainly cannot think of an Opposition leader serving two or more consecutive, uninterrupted terms in Opposition before transitioning into government. Turnbull should let Nelson and Abbott battle it out, lead them to a defeat at the next election, then pounce. Assuming he wins the leadership now - and it sounds as though he's the current favourite - he may have a hard time hanging on till 2015 (bearing in mind Rudd's plan for fixed four-year terms). He may have to play it like Howard and have a bypass or two throughout.

My money's on Julie Bishop winning deputy, thereby creating the Lib equivalent of a Rudd/Gillard package. Yeah - I'll call Turnbull/Bishop.

Then again, y'all know how wrong my calls have been lately. Based on current form it could just as easily be Abbott and the OTHER Bishop lass!



As Sideshow Bob would say, 'yee-harrrrrrrruhh'.

Labels: Liberal leadership, Liberal Party, post-2007 federal election

posted by Sam @ Tuesday, November 27, 2007