Howard and Costello’s well-staged theatrics over Rudd’s meeting with Brian Burke, including the undoubtedly pre-planned resignation from cabinet of Ian Campbell, has indeed turned up a flaw in Kevin Rudd’s leadership abilities.
While Rudd did meet with Burke– as did Ian Campbell, for 20 minutes- Rudd should never have admitted to any wrongdoing, especially on a typically disingenuous Howard accusation. Kevvo should have come out with all guns blazing. To admit any sort of defeat on cause of Howard’s desperate accusation was just plain silly. Altruism and honesty are admirable but they don’t win elections. Age and treachery usually overcome youth and skill- but I don’t think we’ve quite seen the best of Kevin Rudd just yet.
Despite reading MSMs copiously on the matter (those sources being half the problem), the actual crimes committed by either Rudd or Campbell in this pointless kerfuffle are somewhere between hazy and indistinct. The SMH claims “St. Kevin’s halo starts to wobble.” I’m not so sure. The best analysis I’ve so far seen is Ken’s post on The Road to Surfdom.
Howard’s sacrifice of Campbell from cabinet should mean nothing to anyone- other than to those who realise just how silly Howard’s latest game really is. No resignations over Iraq, Children Overboard, AWB… but 20 minutes with Brian Burke and Ian Campbell is political plutonium?! If there were anything to Campbell’s conduct, he’d have resigned from Parliament entirely, not just cabinet. By “sacking” Campbell, Team Howard is signalling that it expects Labor to do the same to Rudd. Nice fishing expo, Johnny… but you’re getting no bites.
Rudd is back on form with teeth bared, demanding the Prime Miniature call early elections if he’s so damndably cocksure this Burke nonsense has damaged Labor. Howard, being the poll-driven, self-serving eternal pollie that he is, knows just how tenuous the Lieberals’ hold on government really is at this moment, so I certainly don’t expect to be going to the polls before October- unless the Short Chap loses his nerve.
If the PM wants to have a go on the basis of personal integrity, let’s have a chat about Iraq, Children Overboard, WorkChoices, etc.
Yep- call those elections, Johnny. Do it!
On ABC Insiders this morning, George Megalogenis suggested that the name of every Lieberal who has ever met with Burke will be published by the end of the week. Given the new life in the Labor leadership, I’ll bet George’s wish comes true.
Count the death threats against Maxine– and Election 2007 has all the makings of the muckiest Australian federal election since… well… since the last one.
Can you smell the Stoush™?
Mmmmm.
-weez
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[…] … feel the wrath pass right through … « What you gonna do Zimbabwe? Is this all they’ve got? March 5th, 2007 I won’t waffle on about the Burke affair, as everyone who has the slightestinterest in it will be up to date on the latest happenings. Besides, plenty of other bloggers have already given insightful commentary on Howard’s usual selfish, childish tactics and Rudd’s genuine stuff up. […]
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