Hewson's got big balls!

by Sylvano Lucchetti - 2008-08-01 08:52:17

Hewson writes that Costello never had the balls.

And he goes on to offer this, presumably serious, list of contenders:

"On Dr Hewson's list of potential leaders were foreign affairs spokesman Andrew Robb, deputy leader Julie Bishop and indigenous affairs spokesman Tony Abbott."

Andrew Robb will certainly make a good member of Costello's team, but he's best out of the lime light.

Julie Bishop is... well you know.

And as for Abbott - the man of the people - he performs best when he is being hit by the boss.

The thing is, all this talk about Costello having the balls, the courage and the whatever is that it's a red herring. He didn't challenge, but not for a lack of balls. The reason he didn't challenge was that he didn't have the numbers when Howard was the man. And when Howard was dumped by Australians, Costello very sensibly let someone else be leader.

He just had to sit it out and watch the wannabes.

When these also-rans show up as incapable to the task of leading and the party gets really rattled, they will look to him - and he'll have the numbers on a platter. Overwhelmingly.

We are now at that very point where the numbers are tipping the scales and Costello is finalising the list for his front bench. And for anyone who wants to be in the game - to be a player - there is the sudden realisation that the time to demonstrate ability as well as loyalty to Costello has already passed. Which can be worrying, because when Costello is installed as leader, a big stamp mark will appear on their forehead. And they would prefer it didn't read REJECT.

Now for a some really bold predictions.

Costello will appoint Turnbull as Minister for Small Business. Ha!

Abbott wants second in command, but Costello won't give it to him. So it's 'Bye Bye Abbott' before mid next year. He'll resign.

And Nelson? Well, let's put it this way: he is a man who has shown a willingness to do anything, say anything and eat shit sandwiches with a smile. So he is definitely a very useful man to have around.