It’s obvious why Turnbull is covering himself with a figleaf with the picture of Queenie on it. There are deep divisions in the Liberal party over precisely that issue and he just doesn’t want to rock the boat – ‘political reasons’ my arse….

No, it really wasn’t. Rudd’s was obviously just a cheeky dig and Mal’s OTT umbrage was ridiculous. By the same standard I could say his decision to devote 15 seconds of our time to the terrible childhood burden of living in a rented flat instead of canvasing rescue options for AIG in that time was him ignoring global financial problems. But, it wasn’t. No one likes a whinger, Malcolm.

David Flint shits a projective brick of denial.

An interesting comment below his post, not least for: “Thank God the Queen cannot be bought with money.”

Thank God she doesn’t have to be, unless you’re a UK tax payer.

I wonder what old Ratty was thinking today…it was he who favoured Malcolm over Peter King and apparently got him over the line in the bitter 2004 pre-selection battle for the slightly cursed jewel of Wentworth. Surely, he must have known what he was doing when he backed Turnbull or maybe he just realised it was either sooner or later.

It’s an interesting twist in the whole story, a saga lately beyond anyone’s (or at least my) wildest expectations with the whole Costello Memoir’s/leadership destabilisation/personal integrity & legacy meltdown culminating in a snap Lib. leadership spill slash book launch double header!!

Also witnessed a gang of CEO’s/partners law/accounting firms blah coming out a board room right at the time, one looked at his comm. device and said to the others excitedly “he’s got it”, two pumped the air, going “yeah” and all looked pretty stoked. Wonder if this will translate to coffers.

btw. is he the first Catholic (albeit convert) Liberal Leader?

(Re: cursed jewel, like Bennelong, long term it’s turning redder, distributions are going to be vital. Currently, besides the neon & navy & royal blue bits – it’s not so much red, but red with light green and dark green and pink bits and a bit of mauve and some burnt orange….)

But this comment is to pick up on the born-to-rule mentions, and how the thread speaks of “hard life’, “life experience”, “plum in the mouth”, how we’d be represented by such, and basically making money.

Firstly, let’s enjoy this national conversation. It is a long time coming.

Secondly, let’s acknowledge the real achievements of those now on the national stage speaking same.

Thirdly, – doing a few ‘let’s’ things here again and more besides, but that’s part of the inclusiveness of these things – let’s accept that making money is not in effect about being out of touch nor ripping people off nor being dishonest or greedy. We have to get a grip on this understanding if we’re to understand what’s happened to our country today. This will include The Australian and similar repositories for sources of the aussie kneejerk. Turnbull’s rise represents a greater need for nuance and the onus is on us if we want to be part of the political equation whatever way that may be to start dealing in subtleties as well.

Forthly, we cant underestimate the power Turnbull has in communicating with the public as to say – and he has started this today – “I did it tough, and I’ve prospered/become successful/made money/ and can handle the occasion for you, in reality”. Rudd can’t do this. It’s a very powerful line. It picks up on economic management and brings it home – people will forgive the “tharsand” annunciations if they feel Turnbull is batting for them. No other oz PM or leader has had this available for them. Watch it.. it is tied to the times no less.

Fifthly, Turnbull bloody knows this, and way more of course.

Sixthly, an Opp Leader or any new leader rarely comes on – on the first day – as entirely convincing. Usually, they’re shaky and tired.

Bring this baby on. It’s a heads up. And as the influences of the world bear upon us, in more than one way, with each of those as carrying the flag of must-do, we can today be thankful that the talkie poncy self-aggrandising commenters sloughing (which they do in reality, but so seemingly cresting, like galahs and cockatoos, prissily) about the trendies of our recent national playtime could get slammed against the wall, with Turnbull. In the best possible way…

This bloke is not about talk for the enjoyment of it.

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,24355512-601,00.html

Understandably they don’t let people embed their videos but you can click play on the video next to the story linked.

You could say pretty much the same about Winnie or FDR. And they seemed to have come through in the crunch.

Personally I throughly welcome Grand Mal as a major political player. He’s got brains and balls which is a refreshing change from most of the Liberal frontbench. A vibrant democracy needs a vibrant opposition – even in today’s centralist technocratic age.

If Strayans were asked “do you want a Strayan Head of State” Liz’d go down like a sack of old potatoes in a trice. Probably 70-30. Even a model-based question (if it involved direct election) would get up , no sweat. It was only the pollies republic that was on the nose.

It is of course, true that Charlie would go down 90-10 – but that about the extent of the difference.

BBB

And crappier music.