Comments on: a good compromise leaves everyone unhappy http://www.intelligentdesign.com.au/blog/2007/06/05/a-good-compromise-leaves-everyone-unhappy/ a blog about things Tue, 02 Aug 2011 06:31:04 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Paul http://www.intelligentdesign.com.au/blog/2007/06/05/a-good-compromise-leaves-everyone-unhappy/comment-page-1/#comment-9267 Paul Tue, 05 Jun 2007 02:53:39 +0000 http://www.intelligentdesign.com.au/blog/2007/06/05/a-good-compromise-leaves-everyone-unhappy/#comment-9267 If the government does indeed lose and lose badly (both of which are less certain propositions in my view than some might think) I think there's a real uncertainty about what will happen next because Howard has created such a power vaccuum at the top of the Libs - Turnbull is the first real leadership prospect he's let anywhere near him in the whole time they've been in government, with Costello safely under control. One would think that a crushing election defeat would drive the party towards moderation on social policy - just as Labor has been dragged right on economic policy - but there is always the possibility that it will just become a test of willpower and manipulation in which case someone like Abbott could easily end up leader. Scary though that thought is, however, I guess we should also remember that Liberal leaders in opposition tend to have a short and very unhappy life... As for Costello being wet, I have my doubts - I've always thought so, but his attitude to industrial relations seems as bad as Howard's. He's definitely more moderate on aboriginal and women's issues (but then again, who isn't?). Turnbull is a bit of an unknown, I think. He seems willing to recast himself according to the requirements of the situation and the objective of maximising the success of M Turnbull. If the government does indeed lose and lose badly (both of which are less certain propositions in my view than some might think) I think there’s a real uncertainty about what will happen next because Howard has created such a power vaccuum at the top of the Libs – Turnbull is the first real leadership prospect he’s let anywhere near him in the whole time they’ve been in government, with Costello safely under control.

One would think that a crushing election defeat would drive the party towards moderation on social policy – just as Labor has been dragged right on economic policy – but there is always the possibility that it will just become a test of willpower and manipulation in which case someone like Abbott could easily end up leader. Scary though that thought is, however, I guess we should also remember that Liberal leaders in opposition tend to have a short and very unhappy life…

As for Costello being wet, I have my doubts – I’ve always thought so, but his attitude to industrial relations seems as bad as Howard’s. He’s definitely more moderate on aboriginal and women’s issues (but then again, who isn’t?).

Turnbull is a bit of an unknown, I think. He seems willing to recast himself according to the requirements of the situation and the objective of maximising the success of M Turnbull.

]]> By: djm http://www.intelligentdesign.com.au/blog/2007/06/05/a-good-compromise-leaves-everyone-unhappy/comment-page-1/#comment-9262 djm Tue, 05 Jun 2007 02:26:11 +0000 http://www.intelligentdesign.com.au/blog/2007/06/05/a-good-compromise-leaves-everyone-unhappy/#comment-9262 I think the cuture wars will fizzle with the passing of Howard anyway - of the next crop of Liberal hopefuls, the two with a chance (Costello and Turnbull) seem to be far more "wet" than Howard and the mad ideologues (Downer and Abbott) are so politically radioactive as to never stand a chance. I think the cuture wars will fizzle with the passing of Howard anyway – of the next crop of Liberal hopefuls, the two with a chance (Costello and Turnbull) seem to be far more “wet” than Howard and the mad ideologues (Downer and Abbott) are so politically radioactive as to never stand a chance.

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