Malle,
I see this on the BIG MISTAKE...
If Costello had become leader... the AWB monopoly would have most likely been toast... which leads to a question:
Was the AWB Monopoly big an issue that killed the Howard government?
Oil for Food...In Iraq to protect the AWB... Aussie pride...
Background:
"...I was not convinced by Howard's hints about a leadership handover circa 2003. However, as indicated, I did believe that last year was a real possibility - until I saw hin interviewed on The 7.30 Report on September 12 this year, following his acceptance of the cabinet-negotiated agreement that he would step down some time after a victory in this election. Howard's words were telling. He declared that, if re-elected, he "would probably, certainly" step down. The obviously reluctant correction of the word "probably" with the word "certainly" spoke volumes. If Howard could barely discuss his ultimate retirement some time around next year, when this had been effectively forced on him by a majority in his cabinet, there was no chance he would have voluntarily quit any time before the 2007 election.
The fact is that Howard, supported by his wife, Janette, and their adult children, never accepted it was time for a leadership change. This was a monumental miscalculation, which will tarnish his political legacy and has unintentionally harmed the Liberal Party. By late this year, when pressure was applied by senior Liberals and some conservative commentators, it was too late for an orderly leadership succession. This should have been done, as Senator Nick Minchin advocated privately, last year, when Howard appeared invincible and Labor was still led by Kim Beazley. From the moment Kevin Rudd became Opposition Leader, it was most unlikely Howard would quit voluntarily, since he would not have liked to be seen to surrender in the face of the Rudd challenge.
Peter Costello has made the correct decision not to contest the Liberal leadership. He is entitled to feel let down by Howard and most Liberal parliamentarians. There was never any point in Costello challenging Howard when he did not have the numbers to win a leadership ballot.
After the 2004 election, I wrote that Labor should cut its losses and replace Latham with Rudd and elect Julia Gillard deputy leader. This time the Liberals would be well advised to give a Malcolm Turnbull-Julie Bishop leadership team a chance.
Gerard Henderson is the executive director of The Sydney Institute."
I see this on the BIG MISTAKE...
If Costello had become leader... the AWB monopoly would have most likely been toast... which leads to a question:
Was the AWB Monopoly big an issue that killed the Howard government?
Oil for Food...In Iraq to protect the AWB... Aussie pride...
Background:
"...I was not convinced by Howard's hints about a leadership handover circa 2003. However, as indicated, I did believe that last year was a real possibility - until I saw hin interviewed on The 7.30 Report on September 12 this year, following his acceptance of the cabinet-negotiated agreement that he would step down some time after a victory in this election. Howard's words were telling. He declared that, if re-elected, he "would probably, certainly" step down. The obviously reluctant correction of the word "probably" with the word "certainly" spoke volumes. If Howard could barely discuss his ultimate retirement some time around next year, when this had been effectively forced on him by a majority in his cabinet, there was no chance he would have voluntarily quit any time before the 2007 election.
The fact is that Howard, supported by his wife, Janette, and their adult children, never accepted it was time for a leadership change. This was a monumental miscalculation, which will tarnish his political legacy and has unintentionally harmed the Liberal Party. By late this year, when pressure was applied by senior Liberals and some conservative commentators, it was too late for an orderly leadership succession. This should have been done, as Senator Nick Minchin advocated privately, last year, when Howard appeared invincible and Labor was still led by Kim Beazley. From the moment Kevin Rudd became Opposition Leader, it was most unlikely Howard would quit voluntarily, since he would not have liked to be seen to surrender in the face of the Rudd challenge.
Peter Costello has made the correct decision not to contest the Liberal leadership. He is entitled to feel let down by Howard and most Liberal parliamentarians. There was never any point in Costello challenging Howard when he did not have the numbers to win a leadership ballot.
After the 2004 election, I wrote that Labor should cut its losses and replace Latham with Rudd and elect Julia Gillard deputy leader. This time the Liberals would be well advised to give a Malcolm Turnbull-Julie Bishop leadership team a chance.
Gerard Henderson is the executive director of The Sydney Institute."
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