Of course it's hypocritical, Hasbeen. That's why it's Greens policy to shut down the coal industry over time. I'm surprised you're unaware of that policy.

Dear Hasbeen,

Did you watch "Q and A" last night?

We finally have a leader that we can all be proud of.

As for Mr Abbott - he's still running around trying to
"bribe" Labor politicians to vote against the
Carbon Tax. Much the same as he tried to bribe (beg, plead)
the Independents to support him for Prime Minister after
the last election. Poor man - he'll do anything to be PM.
Except come up with more than threadbare policies.
If he would have succeeded at the last election - of course
it would be him having to deal with the Greens and the
Independents - I wonder would he then still be against
the so called "Big" carbon tax. Except that now it's not the
Armagedon that he promised, the sky won't be falling in,
and it will be passed in Parliament. Perhaps someone should
tell him that. He doesn't seem to realize so many things in
his quest to be PM - no matter at what cost.

Lexi, you're a librarian - Can you find the piece where Tony Abbott said he would say whatever it takes to become PM - or something similar?

I don't know how you all do it.
I haven't watched either of our two scintillating leaders for quite a while...I really can't stomach it. It's enough to glean smatterings on OLO and an occasional glance at the ABC website.

I take my hat off to all of you - my internal cringe-factor is obviously over-sensitive.:)

Dear bonmot,

The following two websites may be of interest:

http://www.theage.com.au/federal-election/abbott-fires-1-billion-blank-20100902-14rnq.html

And

http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/politics/abbott-digs-himself-a-hole-20100902-14rjp.html

Dear Poirot,

I know what you mean, both have been a real turnoff particularly over the last six months, even with them high on my ignore list I would have said Abbott had the edge.

Something has turned and caught a few unawares. The PM's performance on Q&A was an indication that Abbott isn't going to get the cakewalk I thought he might. It certainly appears she has impressed Lexi and quite a few others. 

I would contend the ferocity of the attacks on her and the carbon tax had dropped the expectations of her post announcement performance. As most would agree, while it is still early days, she is certainly exceeding those admittedly low expectations. Abbott is struggling right now, he is astute enough to recognize the change in sentiment but is sticking with the bombast for the moment. "I am staking what is left of my entire political career on getting rid of this tax. Where is a Turnbull when you need one? 

Hockey is doing them few favors throwing in the mining tax at every opportunity and talking about it's effect on 'working families'. Gina Rienhart and Twiggy just don't fit the image. Don't pollute the message Joe!