Tim Blair

Isn't it sweet to see John Howard, who was written off 10 years ago as a complete loser, now ruling the roost whilst Hawke and Keating sink into obscure and unlamented retirement?

Of course John Howard's story gives some hope to Simon Crean. Mybe if Simon hangs around politics for ten more years he too may become PM. But somehow I don't think it's likely. Whereas John Howard was always a cultured, clever man who got the common touch, Crean is just common.

John Howard remains a loser. He's just dragged a lot of you down to his level.

You need to take the blindfold off and extract the earplugs. This man is a deceitful, manipulative liar, completely devoid of moral principle. His position as PM tarnishes our country and our people. All decent and proud Australians should rise up and sack the bastard.

Remove this obscene and cancerous wart from our nation's face before it is too late!

They've twice been invited to "sack the bastard", Nemo.

Invitations declined.

"Remove this obscene and cancerous wart..."

A serious case of self-loathing projected onto a superior. Must be a name for it.

In all seriousness Nemesis, he's a politician. I have little to no faith in the vast, vast majority of politicians to do other than support popular causes and cover their own arses as opposed to standing alone for a cause and copping the consequences on the chin come what may. Both sides of the spectrum (including the minor parties) involve themselves in this type of action - we ellect them to do our bidding (popular causes reference) and act suprised and shocked when it doesn't always turn out exactly as planned/ hoped for, so they back-peddle and go into damage management (covering their arses).

They may even flip-flop, and this can make them appear weak or duplicitous, but ask anyone who works for a large company and they will tell you that the inability to embrace change in actions or views will have you ending up at the dole office.

Howard has lied in my opinion regarding the whole children overboard affair (Boatgate) and I disagree with his policies on Medicare and the sale of Telstra. He has, however, demonstrated a will to lead and make impossible decisions to maintain his principles and looks out for Australia in the best way HE knows.(the war on terror as one example) I may not always agree and would like to deliver the odd knuckle sandwhich but at least he follows through.

Were Simon Crean in the big chair I have little faith he would show the same level of backbone or leadership.

Bag pollys to your heart's content but broaden your strokes to paint them all - none are perfect.

An aside, federal MPs voted themselves a 4% payrise yesterday (Herald Sun 1/7/3). It amounts to about 4k extra. I'd like that myself and I'm sure cries of sucking the public purse dry will follow but percentage-wise it is in line with some of my own increases and is comparable to some industries. It's a hell of a lot less than what bank CEOs get.

"Kick-Arse!" (Cartman voice)

I just love talking to the "true-believers" and pointing out that socialism is a dead cow and the ALP will continue to disintergrate while torn between trying to grab main-stream voters and keep hold of the commo-union-eco morons.

Nemo's from the pathological Australian left.. "His position as PM tarnishes our country and our people.".. Leftists have made careers out of tarnishing our country and our people with their self disordered views. Think Midnight Oil, Phillip Noyce, History Departments, Phillip Adams, The ABC..and on.. The Australian people have refused to shared these wretched self- loathing delusions and given Mr Howard the nod to get on with the job. Meanwhile, the left continue to howl, self-flagellate and pick at scabs like the loonies they have become.

Labor rebuilding is like St Kilda FC rebuilding...

Scott, don't be so negative about St Kilda, Labor is way more hopeless..

Yeah Scott, the Saints have a good list, they just haven't worked out what to do with them all. Go Eagles

Hey Nemo,if John Howard is a cancerous wart on the face of Australia, that must make Simon Crean a carbuncle on its arse.

You know when governments lose office? When they become convinced they're not going to.

Board odds - 10/1 Crean
50/1 Bartlett
120/1 Brown
Better than Phar Lap- Howard
Profits if anyone stupid enough to bet (Bonnie?) to the Jake Ryan Beer fund.

Simon Crean and 'Cornflakes' Thomas- compare and contrast....

Pete, it's a pity I'm dead or I'd take you up.

See, even if you think the Libs are more likely to win than Labor, they're very generous odds you're offering.

Pete, I don't think you're a betting man. Here's a few factors you seem to have neglected:

It's a two-horse race. Brown can't become PM, and Crean's just fought off a challenge. Sure, there could be another one, but you'd have to say less likely.

The primary vote was actually very close at the last election. The AEC loves redistributing - have you checked to see if electoral boundaries in marginals have changed since then (I haven't).

A week is a long time in politics. Given that the election is many, many weeks away, anything could happen.

So at 10-1, Crean is a good roughie outsider value bet.

(Gamblers note: Centrebet hasn't yet opened a book on the upcoming Federal election.)

If that bunch of nitwits (ALP) ever win office, we're gonna lose a lot more than a 50c bet

Twerps. I think one is permitted to despise Howard without being a lefty. You lot always jump to the same brilliant conclusions don't you?

For the record, I have never and will never be a lefty. For the record, I used to be a Pom (but I'm alright now, ta very much) and I used to vote for (wait for it...) MARGARET THATCHER.

You want right wing? You can't HANDLE right wing!

Much as I detest the warty Howard, don't get me started on say Beazley or similar losers. Crean? Dunno yet. Not impressed thus far.

My loathing for Howard is because he is a liar. Unlike you lot, I cannot condone this. Not
because he is right wing.

What's that? Mrs Thatcher was a liar too?

SAY IT ISN'T SO!!