Is Brendan Nelson damaging the Libs?

[Julia]

Are the Libs risking ongoing 'brand damage' with Brendan Nelson continuing to be the Leader?

His latest remarks about all babies being loved etc were just stupid.

For those who haven't heard a sound bite, here is the gist of what he said:

Not Fair: Nelson

"I would have thought that Mr Rudd - who's already tried to pick on seniors and carers - would find another group other than families to pick on and it's very, very important that Mr Rudd understands that every mother loves her baby and this should be an Australia where all babies are equal" - Brendan Nelson

Any suggestion that the baby bonus will, in fact, be means tested is pure speculation at this stage.

Dr Nelson doesn't seem to be acquiring any political skills as we might have hoped, but rather indulging in increasingly sentimental waffling.

Whaddya think?

 

[dutchie]

G'day Julia

Who is going to replace him?

Saw Turnball on TV this morning and he was very unconvincing.

(Saw Swan too and he is also very unconvincing).

Ironic in that we are heading into a very difficult economic period when a good Treasurer who knows what he is doing and talking about is desperately needed and neither party has a Treasurer that has a clue on how to do the job.

IMHO

PS and can we please kill off "working families".


Cheers

dutchie

 

[noco]

Are the Libs risking ongoing 'brand damage' with Brendan Nelson continuing to be the Leader?

His latest remarks about all babies being loved etc were just stupid.

For those who haven't heard a sound bite, here is the gist of what he said:



Any suggestion that the baby bonus will, in fact, be means tested is pure speculation at this stage.

Dr Nelson doesn't seem to be acquiring any political skills as we might have hoped, but rather indulging in increasingly sentimental waffling.

Whaddya think?

Yes Julia,
Brendon Nelson has to go, he makes a goose of himself every time he appears on tV.
Kevin Rudd is a master of deception and rhetoric and imho the only MP who could handle Kevin Rudd and Swanie is Peter Costello.
And Yes! Labor should kill off their rhetoric of "working families" and "their plan for the future". Has got a bit boring over the past 6 months.
As someone else quoted, Brendon Nelson may be the opening bat in a game of cricket and perhaps the 1st drop may be the one to lead the opposition back from the wilderness.?????????

 

[2020hindsight]

"All babies are created equal !" as I heard em mimic him on Insiders.

Nelson won't be there next election you'd think - He's more like when you "open" with a "nightwatchman" in cricket, i.e. when #10 or #11 is elevated up the batting order in risky conditions - rather than lose a good player before things get a chance to settle down.

But no point in bringing in your best batsmen so early. Wait till the ball gets a bit bruised.

Who knows, Brendan might score a few runs and/or get a few kicks in.

What are the options - just thinking aloud - Costello ? - was interested to see Tim Costello (Peter's brother) saying Peter won't be sticking around - also saying it's a shame as he would have showed himself to be "a different kind of PM".

Mr People Skills Abbott?.
It has to be Turnbull, but I reckon he'd be saying "what's the rush?".

Brendan has the ability to be a complete chameleon - which can be handy. - whereas Turnbull was clear and precise on where he stood on "sorry", on "republic" etc

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malcolm_Turnbull

1. Turnbull says it straight

Turnbull retained his NSW division at the 2007 election with a 1.5% swing towards him[13], despite a 4.2% swing against his party nationwide[14]. Following the defeat of John Howard in his electorate of Bennelong and the decision by deputy leader Peter Costello to not contest the leadership of the Liberal Party, there was widespread speculation that Turnbull would be the new Opposition Leader after his announcement on 25 November that he would contest the Liberal leadership[15] but he was defeated by Brendan Nelson in a 45 to 42 vote.

Brendan Nelson in turn appointed him Shadow Treasurer. [1] Shortly afterwards, fellow Opposition front bencher Nick Minchin suggested that Turnbull's failure to consult with party colleagues before declaring his opinion to the media on such issues as an apology to the Stolen Generations cost him the leadership.[16] This led to a disagreement between the two and culminated in Minchin privately telling Turnbull that he was "too fu**ing sensitive"[17]

Turnbull attacked Treasurer Wayne Swan as being "clueless" about the NAIRU economic indicator, after the Treasurer failed to answer Turnbull's question about it during Question Time on 18 February 2008.[18][19]

2. Like Rudd, he (and his wife) are rich enough not to worry about the financial rewards of being in politics.

3. Like Rudd he was Dux of his school (private school, Sydney Grammar School, in his case of course).

On an unrelated matter, generous as it is, still ironic that the scholarship he set up in his father's name is means-tested - (he publicly says that means-testing of eg baby bonus costs more to administer than it saves). ahh now I'm being unfair - I take it back.

In 1987, in memory of his late father, he set up the Bruce Turnbull means-tested scholarship at Sydney Grammar School, which offers full remission of fees to a student who is unable to pay the school's fees.

4. Like Hawke he was a Rhodes Scholar, studied (further) law at Oxford.

5. Like Geoffrey Robinson, he has done some interesting legal stuff

He rose to the public's attention as the successful advocate in the Spycatcher trial (he blocked the British Government's attempts to suppress the memoirs of a former MI5 agent), and later wrote a book on the trial

From 1993 to 2000, Turnbull was the chairman of the Australian Republican Movement. He was an elected delegate at the Constitutional Convention in Canberra in February, 1998, and in 1999 published a book on the subject, called Fighting for the Republic. Following the unsuccessful 1999 referendum campaign to establish an Australian republic, in 2000 Turnbull retired as chairman of the Australian Republican Movement. Turnbull left the board of Ausflag in 1994 after being asked for his resignation and in 2004 joined the Australian National Flag Association

6. Turnbull handles the Chaser boys better than anyone - but anyone! Like he has the wit and charisma to comment or simply to smile back

 

[Julia]

Yes, of course his replacement is the problem. There doesn't seem to be any possibility other than Malcolm Turnbull, and yes, I guess they have to save him until there is at least some chance of him and the Libs achieving government. No chance of that at present, that's for sure.

2020, you make some good points about Turnbull, but he probably does need some more experience.

So is the fear about pushing Turnbull into the leadership now that he as a personality will be dragged down by the general malaise of the party?
Couldn't he - if he were disposed to accept the challenge at this stage - at least save the situation from becoming worse, as is happening under the sentimental Dr Nelson?

Doubt that Peter Costello will be up for much, and yes, that's reinforced by his brother's comments. I would very much like, however, to see him up there tearing Mr Swan apart.

Re the ubiquitous "working families" (grr!!!) Mr Swan was challenged on that point by Barry Cassidy on "The Insiders" this morning. Cassidy said "what about couples without children, singles, pensioners, etc etc? Why aren't you concerned about looking after them?" Swan feebly said something to the effect that they were ' all included". He always seems tense and as though he is way out of his depth.

I wonder if, after all the fuss about what a difficult and tough budget it's going to be, it might turn out to be a bit of a non-event?
That way, the punters will feel grateful.

 

[2020hindsight]

Brendan has the ability to be a complete chameleon - which can be handy. - whereas Turnbull was clear and precise on where he stood on "sorry", on "republic" etc

......... refer jpegs from a previous post (sorry thread)

So is the fear about pushing Turnbull into the leadership now that he as a personality will be dragged down by the general malaise of the party?
Couldn't he - if he were disposed to accept the challenge at this stage - at least save the situation from becoming worse, as is happening under the sentimental Dr Nelson?

Comment on Brendan's 9% whatever popularity the other day :- "It's bad when your popularity is about the same as the margin of error."

I guess it would be clever for Malcolm to watch Brendan watch over a byelection or two - where they might lose - and then take over like the white knight and "stem the flow" for the subsequent ones.

 

[wildkactus]

IMO the Libs have been damaged for a while, even before the last election. I don't beleive they had a plan for a defeat in place.
Nelson is only their as the keeper of the flame so to speak And yes he is doing damage to an allready damaged party, he will be replaced by the next election, by who I don't Know, I would like to see costello take it up but will he stay???? other then him maybe Turnbull, Bishop or Ciobo, Dutton.

I believe the party needs to get some fresh bloody into the team, and by this I mean they need to have some talented fresh faces elevatored at the next election. People that they can put out in front to get some spark back into the team. This can be Done either from the current backbench or from new candidates.

They will also need to rebuild all the support networks behind them a well as most of these people where Johnny followers that will move on now or not take as big a stance in the party.

 

[Whiskers]

I would also say that the libs were already damaged pretty badly. Brenden obviously isn't getting them to where they need to be, but by the same token I don't think he is doing any irrevocable damage because their image has been so dented.

In an ironic twist, I think the personality, if not the man that Malcom is, is what they need to purge the past quickly and get on with a new adgenda, ie someone who can quickly workout the issue and state what needs to be done. I think his thinking out aloud or expressing his opinion without the party room consensus is what riled some of his colleagues to vote against him.

So, I would say Malcom is probably looking for some retirements to get in some new faces that aren't trained to/by the Howard protocol before he makes his move again..

 

[It's Snake Pliskin]

G'day Julia

Who is going to replace him?

Saw Turnball on TV this morning and he was very unconvincing.

(Saw Swan too and he is also very unconvincing).

Ironic in that we are heading into a very difficult economic period when a good Treasurer who knows what he is doing and talking about is desperately needed and neither party has a Treasurer that has a clue on how to do the job.

IMHO

PS and can we please kill off "working families".


Cheers

dutchie

How does struggling families under $50,000 a year sound?

 

[It's Snake Pliskin]

He always seems tense and as though he is way out of his depth.

Yes pretty uncomfortable looking. Quite a contrast to Costello, but the nation has lost its chance there.

 

[xoa]

In a word, yes. I cringe every time he brings up his medical background - we get it already. His attempts to connect to "Aussie battlers" look forced. Also I wish he'd stay out of school yards and playgrounds, any other middle aged guy would be arrested for it.

Nelson doesn't stand a chance against Rudd. Unfortunately, the liberals have no new talent in the pipeline. Howard alienated young people for 12 years, and now the party is paying for it. They're the party of rich old white men.

 

[stargazer]

Hi all

I reckon Brendan Nelson is doing an excellent job for the Libs i hope he stays there for a long time.

At least he won his seat

Cheers
SG

 

[noco]

Hi all

I reckon Brendan Nelson is doing an excellent job for the Libs i hope he stays there for a long time.

At least he won his seat

Cheers
SG

stargazer,
If Brendon Nelson stays on too much longer, the Labor Party might just put him on their payroll.
The only party he is doing an excellent job for is the Labor Party.
He has got to go and IMO it may not be too much longer.I just hope the Liberals select the right person, otherwise they will stagnate for a decade.
Cheers.

 

[Julia]

Agree that Dr Nelson is working very effectively for the Labor Party at present.

Every day that passes is another in which Wayne Swan makes ever more confused/confusing noises about the budget.

Here is Crikey.com's view:

Dear Squatters,


What is in Wayne Swan's first (last?) budget? Eight days to go and the messages have been confused to say the least. Don't expect a big surplus. We are going to have a big surplus. Huge. Don't expect big cuts. There are going to be killer cuts. Like a cane. Come here. Go away. Leading figures of the administration are tripping over themselves - and their baby bonuses - to sell the Government's budget message, trouble is they all seem to be talking about a different document. The search, therefore, for a well-defined budgetary narrative continues.

Somewhere in the bowels of Parliament House, that master of co-ordinated delivery, Peter Costello, must be smirking up his sleeve. They may not always have been delivered for the purest of economic motives, but when it came to flogging the flavour of a budget in advance, when it came to the firm massaging of public expectation, Costello was the master. These new guys aren't even in the ballpark. Or maybe they just haven't made their minds up yet.

I'd back Malcolm Turnbull against Swannie any day on matters economic.
The Budget and Budget Reply should be interesting.

------------P.S

Gidday Snake,

Long time since you have graced these pages. Nice to have your input.

 

[It's Snake Pliskin]

Gidday Snake,

Long time since you have graced these pages. Nice to have your input.

Hi there Julia,

I just couldn't resist commenting on this one. Personally I don't think Nelson should be changed until we see the next election through.

Regards
Snake.

 

[2020hindsight]

Here's an example of how the press can "massage" your words .... - although Brendan (and all politicians) are masters at juxtaposing derogatory adjectives near the name of the person they are discussing / denograting - and insisting they've been misquoted (which strictly I guess Brendan has been). PS I'm not defending Neale btw.

Ahh politics, don't you love it

Brendan Nelson calls John Della Bosca's wife "ugly"... reportedly.
(http://www.smh.com.au)
Way to sensationalise a headline SMH! Text from article :-

"Dr Nelson has now entered the row, saying the alleged incident was the ugly face of bullying and the use of power to intimidate those without power."

 

[2020hindsight]

PS Why is Brendan smiling?
maybe because he was the only member of the coalition to get a payrise.

You wonder why Vaile is leaving politics ...

Tony Abbott, with a rather whimsical smile, has drawn attention to the problems of adjustment faced by former Government Ministers without independent means who find themselves as ordinary Members of Parliament. A salary drop of $1833 a week takes some getting used to.

Perhaps Mr Abbott should spare a thought for his former colleague Mark Vaile who has gone from the exalted position of Deputy Prime Minister on $260,480 a year to a humble backbencher earning $127,060. Family budgets surely suffer with $2566 less in the weekly kitty.

At least the Dr Brendan Nelson has no reason to complain. He alone among members of the former Howard Ministry has actually had a pay increase of $306 a week. As a Cabinet Minister he was on $219,180 a year. That has risen to $235,070 as Leader of the Opposition.

 

[noco]

I mentioned Peter Costello's name in my quote 04/05/08, I still believe he will lead the coalition by Xmas 2008.
IMHO I believe he will make his move after he launches his book in October2008.
He is the only member of the coalition to handle Rudd and Swan, then keep an eye on Jilia Gillard; I believe she will be after Rudd's blood.
Interesting times ahead in Canberra!!!!!!!

 

[Miner]

I mentioned Peter Costello's name in my quote 04/05/08, I still believe he will lead the coalition by Xmas 2008.
IMHO I believe he will make his move after he launches his book in October2008.
He is the only member of the coalition to handle Rudd and Swan, then keep an eye on Jilia Gillard; I believe she will be after Rudd's blood.
Interesting times ahead in Canberra!!!!!!!

If everything goes as you said NOCO then I believe Peter Costello will lay the RIP plaque for Liberal Party too

As Dr Hewson said Peter Costello did not have the bxxxs so it is unlikely he will come to fight with Turnbull.

Unfortunately both State of WA and Federal Liberals are having leadership crisis which is just not bad for them and also for country. A weak opposition makes an idiot to run a smooth sail in politically least sensitive country like ours

 

[noco]

If everything goes as you said NOCO then I believe Peter Costello will lay the RIP plaque for Liberal Party too

As Dr Hewson said Peter Costello did not have the bxxxs so it is unlikely he will come to fight with Turnbull.

Unfortunately both State of WA and Federal Liberals are having leadership crisis which is just not bad for them and also for country. A weak opposition makes an idiot to run a smooth sail in politically least sensitive country like ours

Miner from your reaction, you appear to be terrified of Costello's pending return which may upset the Labor party.
KRudd and Sawnie probably have got "KHAKI" underpants already.
I still believe Costello will replace Dr.Nelson by Xmas 2008.
KRudd has already started his scare campaign against Costello, which imo shows he is worried.