Abbott out
Tony Abbott has dropped out of the competition for Liberal Party Leader. It is now Malcolm Turnbull vs Brendan Nelson. Nelson is well thought of, but Turnbull would be my pick.
Deputy should go to Julie Bishop.
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Tags: International Politics
November 29th, 2007 at 10:46 am
Not surprising really – he is as subtle as a brick. He made me laugh the other night on the news when he was unconvincing trying to convince viewers that he believed he had good people skills. If you have to say that then you are lost before you start.
November 29th, 2007 at 11:21 am
Abbott, however, was a Personality. Look at the other Liberals putting up their hands: Turnbull, Nelson, Pyne. What a bunch of faceless identityless poll-watchers. It’s almost as if the Liberal party is rebranding itself from blue to beige. “Vote for me as leader because I’m inoffensive! And I never really liked Howard anyway! (although I never had the guts to actually say it…)”
November 29th, 2007 at 12:11 pm
There is nothing faceless about Turnbill. The ultimate faceless politician is Rudd, we will see how the ALP copes with him. I suspect the affair with his brand of politics will last 18 months. And then civil war will break out between the various factions. Bob Hawke could not defeat them, nor could Keating, nor Beazley, nor Crean. They will be back. But for now Rudd has squashed them and selected his own Cabinet in defiance with ALP rules.
November 29th, 2007 at 12:27 pm
Another question is will Costello really retire, or will he bide his time and let an interim leader burn himself out on at least Rudd’s first term.
Regarding Abbott, in some ways he was Howard’s bovver boy, a bit like Mallard, the licensed offender.
This election may have sounded the final death knell for the Australian National party. Their vote continues to fall.
A lesson for NZ though, it is vital that National gains a more diverse voter base and does not allow itself to be portrayed as the home of the xenophobe.
November 29th, 2007 at 3:10 pm
This just in: Nelson is the new Liberal leader, with Julie Bishop as deputy.
http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2007/11/29/1196037040072.html