I really love Howard because not only he did not elected even as MP but he took the liberal party with him to zero! Only of cause Howard the Liberals jumped to 9%, 7% and now they are flat! Thank you Howard you opened our eyes, WE NEVER AGAIN WOULD VOTE AN MP LIKE HOWARD!

And you know what, Gibo? John Howard really loved voters like you.

Vanilla: << And you know what, Gibo? John Howard really loved voters like you. >>

In the 'biblical' sense, what's more!

No, Cuphandle, I'm afraid Brendan Nelson just doesn't have the ticker, from what I can see.

The blowtorch is being applied at the moment, though Bishop came out swinging, saying this scrutiny is ridiculous.

That, to me, is a death knell. Nelson's got to be able to punch back, preferably as some kind of strong opposition leader.

Fact is, he isn't. He isn't picking issues that cut through, and his folksy 'listening tour' is a farce.
I sincerely hope the Opposition gets its act together before it's too late, because bad opposition makes for useless government, and if this goes on for too long, they will become entrenched with a perception of incompetence, as has happened with the State oppositions, despite a plethora of state issues they should be able to make use of, but just... can't.

I think Brendan has a good use. He's not long ago come out of a defence portfolio...and I think thats important. Defence minded politicians are needed even right now, at the fore front, of the conficts we are going to have with asian armies later on. I say support the guy for the sake of the nation.

Uh, Gibo, would that be the defense portfolio that poured millions into the seasprite helicopter project - helicopters we ain't actually getting?

Would that be the defence portfolio responsible for buying the collins 'louder than a hundred cannons but half as stealthy' class submarines?

Does it even matter that he performed miserably in the role, just as he botched education? Frankly, I'm amazed Nelson's been given as long as he has.

Actually, no, I'm not. It's not about 'talent' as much as it is politics, and the perception of achievement.