*Those that voted for Labor candidates in the last
election voted for the Labor Party led by Kevin
Rudd*

Actually Foxy, they voted for their local candidate. Enough
of their local candidites had clearly decided it was time
for Kevie to go. So in that sense, it was indeed democratic.

I think there has been enough leakage of information, that
we know what was going on behind the scenes. Kevie was becoming
increasingly insular, controlling, and out of touch, thinking
that personally he could solve it all, by sleeping even less.
It wasn't going to work and too many in the ALP could see that.

He'd also painted himself into a corner over the mining tax
and enough parlimentarians in marginal seats in WA and QLD
could see the writing on the wall, what would happen to them
at the next elections. So they acted to preserve their own arses.

Julia Gillard and Julie Bishop are quite different. Gillard has
got balls and can play with the boys, Julie would be more likely
to burst into tears. So I think Julia is a pretty good choice.
Politics is not a game for the emotionally engulfed.

But Gillard could not negotiate, whilst Kevie was calling the
shots, even as deputy PM. The mining tax was agreed by Swan
and Rudd, not Gillard or even Ferguson. That was Rudd's problem,
as time went he became increasingly insular.

Yup, Swan is a slippery character, I don't trust him either.

Yes, you would be worried about poor Kevie, but don't worry,
Theresa has big bosoms so there is plenty of space for him
to console himself and shed a few tears. Its a rough game, but
he knew that.

Foxy, Kevin Rudd is staying on in parliament. He'll be contesting the upcoming election, and will likely serve on the front bench.

He's still a young man and I think he will be leader again someday. Without doubt, he's the brightest intellect in parliament. But he's an autocratic, my way or the highway type, and this has played against him.

Labor would have still won the election with him as Prime Minister, but with a new and popular leader like Julia Gillard their winning margin will be greater. Mr Rudd was dumped for political reasons, NOT policy reasons.

Labor was EXTREMELY clever with the way they changed leaders. There was no lengthy public bloodletting, no weeks and weeks and months and months of press speculation, no chance for the Liberals to gain political momentum in parliament due to Labor leadership squabbles. Yep, Labor did it as PERFECTLY as it was possible to do.

Poor Tony Abbott's jaw must have dropped when he suddenly heard the bad news for him. He was demolished in tonight's interview on the 7.30 report when he "tried" to adopt the high moral ground with nazi style "assassination" "midnight coup" language......... it was pointed out to him that the Liberals assassinate dheir leaders with the same lack of mercy...... poor Tony was made to look foolish and a hypocrite. He had no "real" answers.

Never trust a politician to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. Regardless of their political affiliation.

Posted by pelican, Thursday, 24 June 2010 11:35:11 PM
" ... Sad news that Lindsay Tanner won't be contesting the next election but he obviously has his reasons. Big shoes to fill. ... "

I think not! A *GREEN* candidate will be by far the superior choice i.m.o.

..

Posted by benq, Friday, 25 June 2010 5:53:21 AM
" ... Boaz(y) (AlGoreIsRich) plucked from obscurity and made Minister for Truth and All that's Politically Correct ... "

I found that a highly amusing piece BenQ. My thanks for a good chuckle, though I actually suspect dear *BoazY* is more than a little representative in some Australian circles.

..

Posted by CJ Morgan, Friday, 25 June 2010 8:26:34 AM
" ... He's just presented the Greens with their best chance ever of winning a lower house seat in their own right. Thanks Lindsay! ... "

YAY TEAM!

..

Posted by examinator, Friday, 25 June 2010 10:04:22 AM
" ... But perhaps the most unsettling indication is how pliable and lacking in depth of thought the rank and file voters must be, Proving unequivocally that sensation sells better than substance. Perhaps Australians do get the politicians and politics they deserve. ... "

Yes well, perhaps if they stopped indoctrinating kiddies with religious claptrap, taught the value of money, something of the legal system and the guvment departments along with what qualifications lead to what jobs producing what potential lifestyles at high school then maybe we could begin to turn around this problem.

..

Posted by Shadow Minister, Friday, 25 June 2010 10:13:29 AM
" ... Fun times ahead. ... "

I certainly hope so.

..

http://forum.onlineopinion.com.au/thread.asp?discussion=3619&page=8

Posted by DreamOn, Saturday, 8 May 2010 7:45:12 PM
" ... That's a drum to beat and even though the thought of Abbott at the helm disgusts me, Mr Wudd has to go if the allegations bear out.
Off with his head I say, and a "prayer" that *GreenBrowny et al* end up with the balance of power. .. AmenHotep. ... "

Foxy and others, first do not build a mountain out of Lindsy leaving, he truly was going months ago and for the reasons he gave.
I would have been glad to see him replace Rudd.
Now and in the future Julia will be much loved, deliver great election results to Labor.
And in time her fall will be from much the same tree that felled Kevin Rudd, I will always respect Kev.
And while Australia will fall at the feet of Julia, even I will thank her often.
I will not be at her feet.
She will do great things but shares Rudd's ego.
Kevin tried to be only his own man.
He avoided sharing his power with Cabernet.
He did not take advice.
He backed down on ETS hid involvement in roof insulation, went against his stated path in boat people.
Took more notice of his unelected staff than his team.
Recently party members told him he must be inclusive.
He said he was running the government.
His back downs destroyed his image and the party.
Yet clearly he needed to stop and re think the mining tax but only to protect his image would not budge.
Kevin Rudd great man let his ego tell him only he knew.
If he had his time over? well sadly he never will he self destructed , his view the party could not rule without him is about to be proved wrong Julia may exceed his high poll ratings in the short term, but one day will fall.
In the same fashion as Rudd and for the same reasons watch Bill Shorten he no longer has Rudd's boot on his head and will climb to the very top, read his speeches and fear not he will one day lead us very well.

Foxy: "Fingers crossed though, that Kevin Rudd will be given
an appropriate posting overseas. It would be a shame
not to use his talent and experience on the international
scene. Personally, I would have preferred to have seen Kevin
Rudd still represent Australia at the G20 in Toronto, instead of
Wayne Swann - who to me appears a bit toady."

Agree and agree.

I haven't voted for either party for a long time.

I would have been/am thrilled of course to finally see a female PM, and Julia G would have been the best of the available bunch I think - but this whole biz has that brutus kinda feel about it. I am disappointed in how it's come about.

I hoped that we would see a woman elected in her own right.

As it is, despite reports to the contrary, it has a feeling of 'votable mascot' about it.

I felt indifferent about Kevin R., but I don't like to see a PM of the country treated this way. I appreciate that the swiftness of the move deprived the opposition of an opportunity to win points from a party that seemed divided and weak, but surely to good grief they could have conferred with Kevin so that he could hand the job to Julia G and retain his dignity in the process.

It all just doesn't really seem democratic - I suspect that big biz and whatever other factions have engineered matters.

One thing though; Julia G would be wise to keep the suspect Wayne S as deputy. Maybe Kevin R's only real boo-boo was to appoint a smart and capable deputy who could capture everyone's admiration. No way that Wayne S would represent such a threat to anyone in power. Plus by keeping him close maybe she can keep an eye on him.

As someone warned; Julia G. probably needs to watch her back more carefully than any politician ordinarily would do

*I suspect that big biz and whatever other factions have engineered matters.*

One thing about some of you OLO posters, you at least bring out a
chuckle, with your paranoia about big biz. Pynchme, next time
your period is late, just blame big biz lol, for clearly you girls
blame it for just about every else!