Playing with their heads

Wednesday, 23 September 2009   Tactics   11 comments 

It is classic Rudd. Not just making a mockery of what was supposed to be the fault-lines of the Australian political system, but locking the opposition increasingly into the international framework that is setting the domestic debate.

Nelson’s lesson for Turnbull

Thursday, 27 August 2009   Political figures   7 comments 

Nelson’s problem was not so much Rudd, but that his party would not let him follow the route Rudd has taken to adapt to current conditions.

Review of 2008 – The Liberals

Monday, 22 December 2008   State of the parties  Comments Off on Review of 2008 – The Liberals 

The Liberals are left at the end of 2008 in a vacuum with a leader that has no real base of support in the party but with the old guard yet unable to get rid of him.

The old leadership loses control

Tuesday, 16 September 2008   Political figures  Comments Off on The old leadership loses control 

Nelson has been like a cheap hammer broken in the process of battering Turnbull down and the Costello play was pretty well at an end. Today’s spill was less about catching Turnbull early but Nelson having his last and best chance to use the Howard legacy to keep Turnbull at bay.

That last attempt has now failed and draws a period to a close.

Their last and best chance

Tuesday, 16 September 2008   Political figures  Comments Off on Their last and best chance 

There is a basic misconception journalists have about political parties, especially those on the right, that they are about nothing more than winning office.

Dead man still walking

Monday, 25 August 2008   Political figures  Comments Off on Dead man still walking 

After some initial excitement even Dennis Shanahan appeared last week to be starting to have his doubts on Costello’s imminent return to the leadership and that maybe The Australian’s world historical mission to shape Australian politics is going to have to wait for another day.

Bring back Costello, now!

Wednesday, 6 August 2008   Political figures  Comments Off on Bring back Costello, now! 

Despite The Australian’s attempts to make it seem like an unstoppable momentum is building, did one of their journalists let the cat out of the bag?

Poor Costello, used again – a reprise

Monday, 4 August 2008   Political figures  Comments Off on Poor Costello, used again – a reprise 

The campaign by The Australian to have Costello installed as the Liberal leader makes sense from many different viewpoints – except Costello’s.

Lurch-ish

Thursday, 31 July 2008   State of the parties  Comments Off on Lurch-ish 

Any discussion on climate change that had Malcolm Turnbull and Wilson Tuckey both thinking they got what they wanted, clearly resolved nothing.

Vacillating to survive

Wednesday, 30 July 2008   Political figures  Comments Off on Vacillating to survive 

Nelson is only focussed on one thing, to survive, and to do that he needs to manage both sides of the debate and prevent either side taking over.

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