The two greatest talents that the ALP have are Gillard and Rudd--in that order. Unless the ALP come to their senses, they have no real chance at victory come the next election.

The two greatest talents that the Coalition have are Howard and Turnbull. Upon Howard's departure, putting anyone in place other than Turnbull will mean handing a victory to the ALP...especially in light of how slow the Coalition can be on certain obvious issues such as global warming.

To grn's comment on global warming. Grn wrote:
"People are dreaming if they think that global warming is going to become a hot button issue - no pun intended.
Despite what the polls say, the population's commitment to tackling it is soft...most people don't understand yet that it will demand that they pay more for their electricity. Take the poll after that dawns on them and they'll be a lot more circumspect."

My response:
The fact that the population's committment to tackling global warming seems to be soft doesnt mean leaders can stand by and do nothing by conveniently pointing to a lack of perceived public committment. That sort of a lazy cop out eventually comes back to bite! Strong and visionary leaders have the power to mobilise support and resources for an issue...that's why media advisors, spin doctors etc are hired.

Tackling global warming doesn't necessarily and simply have to be about people paying more money for electricity. Indeed, such a suggestion reveals a lack of understanding about the kinds of solutions that global warming requires given the realities of domestic and commercial daily activity. The idea that solutions to global warming are *all* about increases in the cost of energy is a *very* simplistic and unimaginative to say the least.

The fact is that demand for energy is going to exist, the challenge is to find alternative and more efficient and cleaner ways of delivering and/or using it.

Turnbull is genuinely inclusive, engaging and has the energy, vision and genuine committment to tackle what will become one of the most pressing and pervasive issues of our time.

Hi all

I have only read the first two posts. Leigh - your views are always interesting.

Sage - I can't stop laughing!!

Cheers
Kay

Beazley by one vote? never! 2 things can right now take away Labors chance in the next election a win for Kim and even worse a close contest.
By 7.30 tommorow no later Kim should withdraw from the contest.
He should put the party first, have no doupt Rudd will win and lead us well.
In two months his polls will be our best in a great time, no Mark Latham this bloke he is on track to bring new direction.
Rudd by nothing less than 5

"Kevin Rudd ....... promises nothing genuinely new."

There is a marked difference between Kevin Rudd and any other politician we have. He is part of the world, he speaks Mandarin (and I believe Swedish), he has lived overseas, been in business and run a consultancy, he is not a lawyer or a school teacher.

He is not an academic on the left who screams out for righting the wrongs of the world but has never really lived in it and has not the foggiest idea of how to achieve anything in practice. We are in a global world and we have to benefit from it not just shout slogans. I think Julia Gillard simply lacks the wordliness. Tomorrow it appears will signal a marked change - it is to be hoped that the left will continue to speak up for the rights of the underclass but learn to support the view that only a commitment to reality can achieve anything.

Rainier,
maybe this latest dispute in the labor ranks are an opportunity provided by God.

One of the posts mentioned the senate.

Imagine the possibility of having an Indigenous Australian senator for each state.

Maybe the time of the Labor versus Liberal/National/one-nation is due for challenging.

Is it possible that the 2007 election will be more interesting that previous ones.

Maybe it is time to step out of the square and think laterally.

I generally agree with the comments above. To really be in the race, Labor needs to get new leadership. Rudd and Gillard are the alternative at the moment although I have reservations. If Rudd gets up, the ALP will be going from taking the low road (Beazley) to the high-brow road (Rudd). The danger is that both approaches are off-target and therefore unpopular with voters. Despite this, the good thing about Rudd is that he'll energise the party and show that there's more going on behind the scenes (and in their heads) than the public is aware of.

I reckon Labor could inadvertently be setting up a solid middle-of-the-road candidate like Simon Crean to eventually lead the party again. After all, the people do not want Care Bear or Einstein to run the country, but someone who has lots of experience and who is strong and committed. Can it realistically be anyone other than Crean?