Reply #8: Partnerships [View All]

One thing the ALP has been lacking in the last decade is a clear line of succession. While it is a double edge sword, people do like to elect teams where the successor is obvious - a President/Vice President system if you will. It worked for Hawke and Keating, Howard and Costello, heck it even worked in the UK with Blair and Brown. This is one of the reasons I believe this ticket would work.

I also make no secret that I am a Gillard supporter and while naturally I would prefer to see her as leader, pragmatically speaking this is the best chance at making it happen, as plenty on the right are looking at Wayne Swan and Stephen Smith as future leaders if Rudd fails.

Also, I think the attacks on Gillard are having the opposite effect than intended. It makes her seem more and more like a real person and not just a stage managed politician. The folks who are getting their pants in a wad are solidly in Howard's base anyway.

My biggest problem with Rudd (despite his rightward shifting of policies) is he seems to be too cautious and running on the platform of running the store more efficiently, rather than positively changing things. However, I do confess his education plan has warmed me up to him a little more.

Interesting to also note that while the ALP's 2 Party Preferred vote remains steadily high in the polls, their primary vote is down. This hopefully signals a high 3rd party vote this year (hopefully to the Greens)