But the problem is BF, if Albo can’t beat Morrison- who for all of his obvious shortcomings as a duplicitous backstabbing weasel is still a more than capable bs artist- we are doomed to another 4 years of this disaster. And if they get back in power, the very real possibility of Dutton making a run for the top job.
Albanese has ALWAYS been portrayed as a great politician, and a grass roots larrikin man of the people. Unfortunately the version we are seeing now is tapioca. Bland, and devoid of colour. Morrison already has enough advantage with Newscorp backing him- the lack of a truly charismatic ALP leader is just a free hit ATM. You obviously didn’t like Waterfords’ article- I couldn’t agree with all of it myself- but one line stood out like the proverbial dogs bollocks:
“Since World War II, Labor has never won an election from opposition without a strong and charismatic leader, with a strong smorgasbord of policies. Think of Gough Whitlam, Bob Hawke, Kevin Rudd. These did not win power simply because the electorate has tired of, or become disillusioned by the predecessor.”
And yes, Kim Beasley had charisma, yet he lost twice to Howard.
1998, won the popular vote, but lost the election
2001, fell victim to the timing of the Tampa " children overboard" manufactured crisis, closely follow by 9/11. They never had a chance from that moment on.
Labor climate spokesman Chris Bowen said the next election would be a climate change contest, labelling the announcement a “steaming pile of nothingness”.
I’ve seen more detail in fortune cookies” said Labor’s Chris Bowen. “It’s not a plan. It’s a scam.”
That sounds like someone with fire in his belly to me.
What do you want me to say ? Already posted reality of Labor Leadership change.
I have a different view of Albo than you, but I take the time to read what he broadcasts and watch the videos. I would like a more dynamic set of policies, but it is not going to win an election.
What I see in Albo is not bland at all; sadly the Media control what you see unless you look for it.
I agree with the media control part. He’s up against it.
But Rudd found a way. And unless something changes significantly in the next few weeks/couple of months, Albanese , (rightly or wrongly), will join the ranks of good men who were unjustly beaten.
And we will all suffer for it.
Koch won’t give another ALP leader the airtime he gave Rudd. He’s learned better. Seven is quietly a reeeeaal far-right organisation, as the continual promotion of Hanson and the racism scandals on Sunrise testify. They’re not going to make the mistake of accidentally humanising a left-wing pollie again.
When complaining about the ALP though, remember that in reality, they’re not going to win a majority in their own right even if they win govt, and so they’ll have their choice of relying on the Greens or the Libs to actually pass anything. Now anything resembling a progressive agenda isn’t going to get any coalition support at this point, so that leaves the Greens - and the need to negotiate with them will pull ALP legislation to the left of where the worst instincts of the NSW right faction would prefer it. You can see this with Gillard’s climate policy - when going into the election campaign ALP policy was some sort of bullshit ‘community conference’ on the issue, probably in fkg the Rooty Hill RSL, hosted by Eddie McGuire, tradies and mining execs admission only. But she had to bargain with the Greens (and with serious, principled independents like Wilkie and Windsor) for power, and they dragged the ALP unwillingly into good policy. Probably, it has to be said, to Gillard’s personal relief even though i have no doubt it ■■■■■■ off some of the scummier ALP powerbrokers.
There’s a very real chance of something similar happening again. Probably not exactly the same, since having an LP govt with a lower house minority is a very flukey circumstance, but the same forces are in play. Especially with the rise of rural independents and the decrease in vote share going to major parties.
i mean labor could strategically target key seats with strong local candidates instead of having albo (literally) wear a bunch of different hats during media appearances.
someone smarter than me has probably done the maths on this, but the lnp has a one seat majority so labor only need to turn a few thousand votes here and there in metro-adjacent areas, instead of being railroaded into pretending central queensland is some major battleground.
well, yeah, of course. but people speak as though they need an enormous swing of public sentiment. probably due to how much positive commercial media coverage is afforded to the lnp.