So it's happened, what we've all been expecting.

[Matilda]

Latham's spat the dummy, and we're right back to square one.

The only bit of interest I could raise in the coming leadership
contest would be if Julia Gillard decides to challenge Macklin.
Will she - or will they push her firmly into her box and shut the
lid?

[oscarmitre]

1. It's on again.

Laugh if you wish. Simon Crean. A good and decent man who was knifed in the back because he wasn't "charismatic". And Howard is?

I'm afraid that Kym Beasley is going to get the nod, well he's out of the starting gate already.

I usually get this sort of thing wrong but I don't consider Beasley is a good option and at this stage generational change isn't on unless the ALP is prepared to sit out two terms. I do like Julia Gillard but I agree with observations in the other thread that at this stage it is just a bit too early for her.

[Djinn]

2. agree

while I've never voted ALP (they've been Lib lite since I was of voting age) and wont be doing so anytime soon Crean was not as bad as made out, a decent and capable guy.

Beasley can fuck right off, his economic and social policies are closer to John Howard's than severalo Lib backbenchers are.

Julia Gillard would be my choice but she's got Buckley's of getting it - a leftie (in a manner of speaking) female just wont wash with the the NSW right, shame because the electorate would probably be quite keen to vote for her... surely more so than Kevin bloody Rudd...Harry Potter for PM anyone?

[foreigncorrespondent]

3. Do you know...

...what turns me off about Beasley so much, apart from his policies? It is his BO problem.

I think it is bad enough that Australia is represented to the world by this snibbling little bastard we currently have. But wat kind of message are we sending to the world if our PM constantly has wet under the arm pit shirts?

Yes, guys, I realize I am being very picky, but I can't help but remmeber an image of Beasley a few years ago. He was wearing a white shirt, unbuttoned at the collar, no tie, and the sweat was just pouring off this man. From that moment, I always prayed that he would not represent us in the world.

[Djinn]

4. Hey FC

HOw's it going - how was your Chrissie - you and Sapph spent this one together didn't you?

[foreigncorrespondent]

8. Hey girl!!!!

It is going ok. I have been kinda down since putting Sapph on a plane last Thursday! But this week I am back at work after taking last week off to spend with her, so that will help pass time some.

Chrissie was good. Yes we spent it together. It was our first Christmas together in three years and was wonderful.

How'd your Christmas go?

[Esra Star]

5. "Snibbling"!!

Does that mean you prefer the lying rodent to Beazley
as our Grand Fromage (to the outside world view, anyway)

[foreigncorrespondent]

7. Absolutely not!

I detest that snibbling little idiot with a passion. Don't put words there that are not there. I was just pointing out what I cannot stand about Beasley apart from his policies.

[Sapphocrat]

10. Not laughing here, mate...

AFAIC, Simon Crean = Howard Dean. Meaning: If either hadn't been rooted up the bum by his alleged compatriots, the entire world would be a different place today.

(Pardon the intrusion, Aussies -- does it count that I want to be one of you when I grow up?)

Btw, Welcome to DU! :hi:

[foreigncorrespondent]

6. Hey Matilda!

You know damn well they are gonna push her firmly into the box. We are talking the ole boys club now, no room for a "mere" female leader.

I dunno, I reckon from now on I am voting straight Green from right across the board, in all elections. The ALP is truly finished.

I was reading The Age this morning, and they were saying how Howard has his highest poll numbers after an election, and would beat Beasley hands down in an election.

On edit: Typo!

[Matilda]

9. I know, I know! The ALP is so macho.

I just can't believe how everything is going Howard's way. There
really is nobody that I truly feel could cause him to lose a wink
of sleep. Maybe he has voodoo dolls that he sticks pins into.

Labor's stupid factions are to blame for a lot of their woes -
when are they going to learn to just support the best person for
the job?

[anakie]

11. Beazley unopposed

Gillard gives Beazley clear run

Federal Labor frontbencher Julia Gillard says she knows she cannot win Friday's leadership ballot and has indicated she will not stand.

Ms Gillard says it is pretty well known how Labor MPs will vote.

She has told Southern Cross radio she wants the disunity in the party to end after Friday's Caucus meeting.

"There are obviously issues about having a ballot in circumstances where I know I can't win," she said.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200501/s1289217.htm



Back to the future and once again labor reacts rather than take the initiative. As for a female party leader at federal level, it is only 2005 and to far too early for such a radical move.

More fucking johnnie howard lite. Shiiiit. I hope at the very least they spill the deputy job and Julia gets that. I know that wont happen either.

[iangb]

12. What a great message!

If you aren't guaranteed success..........don't bother trying.

If this catches on we can do away with tiresome contests altogether.

Let's just declare Federer Aus Open Champion, Australia winner of the Tri Nation Series......and Howard PM for life.

[Matilda]

13. Isn't it depressing.

I couldn't vote for these hopeless hacks in a fit, but I'd just love
to see a leader who could knock Howard off his perch. Or Abbott or
Costello in time to come, but I won't hold my breath.

In one way, Labor doesn't deserve to win if they're not prepared
to take a few risks, be a bit daring and exciting, but they're
condemning the rest of us to another six years of Howard. At least.

I've been hoping that at least Gillard would challenge for the
deputy leadership - what is Jenny Macklin for? - but it doesn't
sound as if she's going to even do that.

Is it conceivable that Howard could actually last as long as Menzies?

[iangb]

14. Yes it's conceivable, but it's not likely.

Menzies was a much stronger leader than Howard, and had a loyal following in the party.
With this sort of majority, and Howard's weakness I expect to see all sorts of white-anting going on before the next election.

[velvet]

15. dammit

Had ma hopes up for a minute there. But nooooo, it's the same ol' same old. And there's Julia in that unfortunate photo attached to the story, simpering like a schoolgirl.