Why is this man so needy?
Costello is neither spiritually nor organisationally ready to launch a challenge. But he has now reached the point where he accepts it could well be necessary.
His relatively small group of backers hope that by applying pressure on Howard more overtly, they can still achieve a smooth transition.
They reject suggestions that Costello should somehow run himself out as a prime ministerial candidate while remaining as Treasurer in order somehow to demonstrate what he stands for. They say that the treasury post by definition makes that impossible, that he will always be cast as the “bank manager”.
Only by getting the top job can Costello fully explain and develop his wider political persona. The idea that Costello has to justify his desire for the prime ministership is something people close to him dismiss instantly.
Politics, they say, does not work like that. He’s worked hard, he’s strived for the job, he’s deferred to Howard for more than 10 years. Enough is enough. He wants it. That, they say, is justification in itself.
It’s pathetic really. He doesn’t have the numbers. “It’s my turn”. Mwaahaah. And – whatever happened to democracy? What is this all about – corporate succession planning? Or politics? Isn’t this clown under some sort of obligation to justify to his own party and to the electors why he should be PM?
Or is this just some sort of Melbourne Club born to rule thing? A culture of entitlement? A culture of complaint?
Want, want, want. It’s all about me. Everything that’s wrong with the baby-boomers. We need to keep Jack around – with his hardbitten Methodist upbringing and avuncular barbeque skills – til he can pass the torch to one of the new Young Conservatives.
I heard a rumour (don’t pass it on) that Cos tossed a little kiddy overboard when rowing on the Yarra wearing his born to rule blazer and boater. Muttered something about “sink or swim – mutual obligation”. But – shhh, don’t tell anyone. Particularly not when briefing the press. And definitely not when visiting Athens.
Oh, and if you see Jack on an early morning power walk, don’t mention the economy. Not his problem. It’s that other bloke’s fault. Can’t sell your house? Go tell Cos.
You can find him every Sunday morning at Hillsong. Or every Friday night dining with reporters from The Age at some dodgy fish & chips shop. But don’t tell him I sent you.
As a wise man once said, “nothing’s completely free in this world. And nor should it be.” Or something like that. Or was it – “life’s not meant to be easy”.
To suffer is to learn, said Aeschylus. Take heed.
And if you happen to see Cardinal Pell at St. Mary’s tomorrow at Solemn High Mass, don’t make any visible signs that Jack sent you. A nod and a wink is good enough for a blind bat. You know what I’m saying. “For those that have ears, let them hear”.
Peter Costello – soon to be a footnote in history.
“When the common soldiers are too strong and their officers too weak, the result is insubordination. When the officers are too strong and the common soldiers too weak, the result is collapse. When the higher officers are angry and insubordinate, and on meeting the enemy give battle on their own account from a feeling of resentment, before the commander-in-chief can tell whether or no he is in a position to fight, the result is ruin.” – Sun Tzu
“When the common soldiers are too strong and their officers too weak, the result is insubordination. When the officers are too strong and the common soldiers too weak, the result is collapse. When the higher officers are angry and insubordinate, and on meeting the enemy give battle on their own account from a feeling of resentment, before the commander-in-chief can tell whether or no he is in a position to fight, the result is ruin.” – Sun Tzu
“Peter Costello – soon to be a footnote in history.”
Perhaps there’ll be a final churlish smirk, and then a puff of smoke, and then … nothing.
If he doesn’t get what he wants he may well just disappear forever into the private sector where he won’t have the go-get-em to really succeed either.
“Peter Costello – soon to be a footnote in history.”
Perhaps there’ll be a final churlish smirk, and then a puff of smoke, and then … nothing.
If he doesn’t get what he wants he may well just disappear forever into the private sector where he won’t have the go-get-em to really succeed either.
Julia Gillard was very good on this on Lateline the other night. She really is getting better and better. Her labor women’s voice is even softening up a bit.
She understands (like John Howard) that getting the words right is just the beginning, and that the body language is what separates the sheep from the goats.
She just laughed off Christopher Pyne: “Cheap and silly as usual“
Julia Gillard was very good on this on Lateline the other night. She really is getting better and better. Her labor women’s voice is even softening up a bit.
She understands (like John Howard) that getting the words right is just the beginning, and that the body language is what separates the sheep from the goats.
She just laughed off Christopher Pyne: “Cheap and silly as usual“
Yes, I agree about Gillie – Pyne came across as quite the silly little boy. Though I did wonder whether or not he might have changed sides now that he’s one rank up on the greasy pole as a Parliamentary Secretary.
Yes, I agree about Gillie – Pyne came across as quite the silly little boy. Though I did wonder whether or not he might have changed sides now that he’s one rank up on the greasy pole as a Parliamentary Secretary.
I’m also wondering how we will know when Cossie is “spiritually” ready for a challenge!
I’m also wondering how we will know when Cossie is “spiritually” ready for a challenge!
Im sure Menzies had his Costello too….. any historians care to fill us in?
Im sure Menzies had his Costello too….. any historians care to fill us in?
Holt was similar I guess in that he was a Treasurer who had to wait for ages for the leadership and then didn’t really know what to do with it when he got it – another parallel might be Martin and Chretien in Canada.
Holt was similar I guess in that he was a Treasurer who had to wait for ages for the leadership and then didn’t really know what to do with it when he got it – another parallel might be Martin and Chretien in Canada.
Incidentally, non-Melburnians may be amused to learn that there is in fact a Harold Holt Aquatic Centre in our town.
I tend to agree with Mark – Costello will be a footnote. Howard will only leave when the election to come looks unwinnable.
Incidentally, non-Melburnians may be amused to learn that there is in fact a Harold Holt Aquatic Centre in our town.
I tend to agree with Mark – Costello will be a footnote. Howard will only leave when the election to come looks unwinnable.
My guess is that it’s also going this way. It’s like Costello has been called on his ambition.
I stand to be corrected, but there is a long pattern that goes something like this: Howard humilates Costello at the beginning of election campaigns; Costello runs his leadership ambitions in budget run-ups. On this occasion, Jack has anticipated the play, nobbling Costello on the eve of his largest claim-event. John Howard take a bow: the biggest c#*t in his generation.
My guess is that it’s also going this way. It’s like Costello has been called on his ambition.
I stand to be corrected, but there is a long pattern that goes something like this: Howard humilates Costello at the beginning of election campaigns; Costello runs his leadership ambitions in budget run-ups. On this occasion, Jack has anticipated the play, nobbling Costello on the eve of his largest claim-event. John Howard take a bow: the biggest c#*t in his generation.
“Howard will only leave when the election to come looks unwinnable.”
If.
“Howard will only leave when the election to come looks unwinnable.”
If.