Methinks there could be a 'sleeper' in the Libs ranks.
I've recently read Andrew Robbs' book - Black Dog Daze.
I was looking forward to his account of & insight into his own depressive illness, however the greater content of the book was more about his career and generally kicking Labour at any opportunity.......and more about his career (as in a big self promotion sense).
There is lengthy, repetitive referral to the protracted period of time where senior Lib figures were in his words, "hounding him" to take the reins but he felt he couldn't do the job while struggling with his illness. The Libs went with Turnbull but that went pear shaped very quickly after he went against the Party and demanded they support the ETS (Robbs' dialogue on how close to the wire this went and the behind closed doors arguments is interesting).
The latter portion of the book makes it very clear Robb has been steeling himself to take the mantle of leader should he be asked again. He clearly states that he would accept.....in his words, "This time I am ready".
In his commentary Robb also makes it very clear that Turnbull is history as the bus driver and that senior Libs will not go there again......sorry kids, I'd say he's finished.
Robbs' references to Abbott are superficially complimentary and not entirely convincing; they're more guarded......which is no surprise given Abbott is his boss. Rightly or wrongly, the way I read his comments was that the Libs pushed Abbott into the spotlight for his strong performance over a period of time, but also because they felt others were not going to be the front man they desperately wanted. From within the Lib Party ranks, for the short term he's safe, but he may not be their long term leader........well not if Andrew Robb gets a sniff.
FWIW (which is probably SFA), my personal take on the potential alternatives mentioned throughout this thread to date is that Joe Hockey is a soft, yes man and gets nervous when pushed in interviews (there is also a gentle reference in Robbs' book along this line); he doesn't give me any confidence at all, in just the same way as Alexander Downer gave me the impression he was as stout as tapioca pudding......but he found his feet diplomatically licking crack in Foreign Affairs under Howard. I'm not sure about Andrew Robb - he could be ok if he gets a shot, but that would mean the Libs having to oust Abbot......not pretty, but plausible because Abbott would only need to slip up once or twice in this current world economic fragility and his honeymoon would be over in a flash. I think he would be put under enormous pressure from within the Lib party.
For labour, Steven Smith is developing, but his window of opportunity lies in the demise of Gillard; and what do they do with Rudd? Smith's articulate, smart & forthright, but I don't know if he has the gusto to be an effective leader in opposition (this will be his only chance to have a crack I feel). My money's on Rudd to lead Labour in opposition. Combet isn't ready yet and has some serious public image work to do; regardless he is some way behind Bill Shorten......will be interesting to see how these two play out their roles over the next few years.....big egos, big ambitions. Come to think of it, Shorten has been very careful in his public exposure.....I've seen him a couple of times being interviewed and he's spoken very well and clearly is one of the party heavies - so he has internal support. He's got plenty of time on his side if he's patient enough to see Rudd off for a second time (although Rudd might not show the same courtesy to him).
I'm afraid I am apathetic in not learning more about our Federal political machinations, but I will say that I am one of the very, very sick puppies that enjoys the Press Club Lunch broadcasts and also thinks Parliamentary Question Time on the ABC is prime viewing, an absolute hoot and as funny as @#$K.
Now, where's my meds?
Ian.
I've recently read Andrew Robbs' book - Black Dog Daze.
I was looking forward to his account of & insight into his own depressive illness, however the greater content of the book was more about his career and generally kicking Labour at any opportunity.......and more about his career (as in a big self promotion sense).
There is lengthy, repetitive referral to the protracted period of time where senior Lib figures were in his words, "hounding him" to take the reins but he felt he couldn't do the job while struggling with his illness. The Libs went with Turnbull but that went pear shaped very quickly after he went against the Party and demanded they support the ETS (Robbs' dialogue on how close to the wire this went and the behind closed doors arguments is interesting).
The latter portion of the book makes it very clear Robb has been steeling himself to take the mantle of leader should he be asked again. He clearly states that he would accept.....in his words, "This time I am ready".
In his commentary Robb also makes it very clear that Turnbull is history as the bus driver and that senior Libs will not go there again......sorry kids, I'd say he's finished.
Robbs' references to Abbott are superficially complimentary and not entirely convincing; they're more guarded......which is no surprise given Abbott is his boss. Rightly or wrongly, the way I read his comments was that the Libs pushed Abbott into the spotlight for his strong performance over a period of time, but also because they felt others were not going to be the front man they desperately wanted. From within the Lib Party ranks, for the short term he's safe, but he may not be their long term leader........well not if Andrew Robb gets a sniff.
FWIW (which is probably SFA), my personal take on the potential alternatives mentioned throughout this thread to date is that Joe Hockey is a soft, yes man and gets nervous when pushed in interviews (there is also a gentle reference in Robbs' book along this line); he doesn't give me any confidence at all, in just the same way as Alexander Downer gave me the impression he was as stout as tapioca pudding......but he found his feet diplomatically licking crack in Foreign Affairs under Howard. I'm not sure about Andrew Robb - he could be ok if he gets a shot, but that would mean the Libs having to oust Abbot......not pretty, but plausible because Abbott would only need to slip up once or twice in this current world economic fragility and his honeymoon would be over in a flash. I think he would be put under enormous pressure from within the Lib party.
For labour, Steven Smith is developing, but his window of opportunity lies in the demise of Gillard; and what do they do with Rudd? Smith's articulate, smart & forthright, but I don't know if he has the gusto to be an effective leader in opposition (this will be his only chance to have a crack I feel). My money's on Rudd to lead Labour in opposition. Combet isn't ready yet and has some serious public image work to do; regardless he is some way behind Bill Shorten......will be interesting to see how these two play out their roles over the next few years.....big egos, big ambitions. Come to think of it, Shorten has been very careful in his public exposure.....I've seen him a couple of times being interviewed and he's spoken very well and clearly is one of the party heavies - so he has internal support. He's got plenty of time on his side if he's patient enough to see Rudd off for a second time (although Rudd might not show the same courtesy to him).
I'm afraid I am apathetic in not learning more about our Federal political machinations, but I will say that I am one of the very, very sick puppies that enjoys the Press Club Lunch broadcasts and also thinks Parliamentary Question Time on the ABC is prime viewing, an absolute hoot and as funny as @#$K.
Now, where's my meds?
Ian.
