I would have to say Pericles' argument was by far the most pertinent to the article in question. I agree completely with his '3 strikes', with perhaps more emphasis on the first. The real question, I would have thought, is how popular John Gillard (with a plum in his mouth) would be, if he rose to power the same way, and made the same compromises to stay there?
Once again, why do we Aussies so blithely accept unconscionable behaviour in our elected representatives? Why should our representatives not be held to the same social accountability as the rest of us?
The bloodless coup of Rudd (and Turnbull) demonstrated fairly clearly that ambition and self interest motivates our politicians far more than patriotism or a desire to 'do good'.
I think it's quite possible Lexi and Ammonite are right, and Ms Gillard quite possibly will prove erself to be a competent and able politician by 2013.
I'm just not sure that that is in any way a complement.