I'll walk says Turnbull

[skippy]

Phrogen:

the Libs need:

policies

policies

policies

And-
Leadership
Leadership
Leadership.

You know it wasn't until Rudd became leader of the Labor party that the Labor party became a true chance of winning government. Leadership in the eyes of the public is a huge issue, you can have all the policies you want but without somebody able to sell those policies they amount to zilch.

[deepthought]

Deleted

[JWFrogen]

You know it wasn't until Rudd became leader of the Labor party that the Labor party became a true chance of winning government. Leadership in the eyes of the public is a huge issue, you can have all the policies you want but without somebody able to sell those policies they amount to zilch.

I don't see Rudd as a great or charismatic leader; I certainly did not during the election. He has picked up some gravitas since the financial crises but he seems stiff and fake to me, like he has rehearsed every last thing he says in the mirror. (He probably does this when he has sex, "let me get this right. Honey bear, no wait, Honey Bearess, I have a new policy to dip into your pot? No wait, a new vision to dip into your pussy pot. You have to sass it Kevster, remember to sass it Kevster! Just like when you pinched Koschies ass on the Kokoda trail").

I think almost anyone would have beat Howard in the last election, he had been in a long time and the previous election he made interest rates a major issue, after the election the bank raised rates over and over and it damaged his economic credibility.

Plus there was just the fatigue of being in so long.

[Jovial Monk]

Yup, Rudd is plastic man, with little manufactured incidents like saying "fuck" to a group of factional warlords--I bet Rudd had that leaked.

But people like him and he has made a big dent in Lib support among female and older voters, traditionally sold supporters of the Libs.

Rudd is very very smart, the Libs keep underestimating him. Yup, a 'toxic bore' in QT but to voters seeing a 10 second clip of QT he comes across as very steady, sober etc, just what you want in a Leader. Costello roared and abused the Opposition in QT--but no one likes him. See the difference?

[skippy]

he seems stiff and fake to me, like he has rehearsed every last thing he says in the mirror.

I agree, I'm sure he does.

But people like him and he has made a big dent in Lib support among female and older voters, traditionally sold supporters of the Libs.

But this is also true, Australians like boring men as their leaders.

[Blaze]

I dont! Paul Keating was a legend. The man wasn't boring, noone could accuse him of that. He was a very gifted Parliamentarian with an ego unrivalled.

[JWFrogen]

I would have liked to have been around for the Keating years, it would have been fun to watch.

But it must be said, boring Howard beat him so Skip's theory may be true.

Boring is power, which means that if we ever have an elected President of Australia Delta Goodrum or the entire cast of Home and Away will be in the running.

[Jovial Monk]

On Andrew Peacock entering the House, just after being re-elected Leader of the Fibs, Keating stated "but the question before the House is, will this souffle rise a second time?"

Vintage Keating. But Keating did let the most corrupt, vicious PM we didn't have to have, defeat him.

[mantra.]

Getting back on topic - Turnbull won't walk away. He's got too much pride and it's obvious he's not a quitter even in the face of adversity. What is interesting is that while Turnbull was overseas he observed the massive, youthful Green following and he has stated publicly that it would be political suicide not to "believe" in man made global warming. It's decision time now for him as the Libs have become a squabbling mess, as to whether aligning himself with some of the Greens' policies might be the way to go. He has to convince the directionless Libs first though.

He hasn't got a good environmental record, but currently it's better than Garrett's. If he can pull the party together, and apparently they aren't considering a new leader, and come across as an environmentalist - he might just have a chance. Rudd is beholden to the Unions and multinationals and as pointed out in a previous post by you Monk - our export mineral figures have jumped by about 30%. I don't think too many Australians want to see Australia turn into a giant quarry belonging to the Chinese and would prefer that the last of our manufacturing isn't sent overseas as it would be under the G20. If Turnbull can reinvent himself and appeal to the younger voters - he could be PM by 2013. People will catch on soon that Rudd is only out to serve himself.

[skippy]

I dont! Paul Keating was a legend. The man wasn't boring, noone could accuse him of that. He was a very gifted Parliamentarian with an ego unrivalled.

I agree Keating wasn't boring and neither was Hawke, but they were exceptions to the rule.