Scorched earth policy

Thursday, 29 April 2010   Tactics   6 comments 

If the government is struggling to find something to stand for, then anti-politics might be the best tactic.

Essentially Rudd wrapped a big boost to health funding up in a political agenda that called the states’ right to exist into question.

There was only one real difference between what happened last week and what the media had been witnessing since Abbott took the leadership – the public gave its verdict.

Rudd does negative better

Wednesday, 24 March 2010   Tactics   6 comments 

When Rudd says now is the time for cooperation, it is not because he actually wants the Liberals’ help.

Trying to do a Latham

Wednesday, 10 March 2010   Tactics   12 comments 

Latham and Rudd may have not needed to consult their party, Abbott didn’t dare consult his.

Rudd and Gillard are campaigning against an arm of government. However, it is worth noting that they are also campaigning against the parties running them, including their own.

Stoop low

Monday, 1 March 2010   Tactics   6 comments 

If the normal rules of the game applied, Rudd’s confessional moment on Insiders would have been a foolish move.

A step on from Beattie

Friday, 26 February 2010   Tactics   8 comments 

On several levels, the Garrett episode has brought together both what is distinct about this Labor government, but also its weaknesses.

What we are seeing here is the second stage of the problem of undermining of the Australian political class, that began with the exhaustion of the domestic program twenty years ago, and has now extended to the international sphere.

Barnaby’s game

Friday, 12 February 2010   Political figures, Tactics   7 comments 

Joyce’s act is to portray himself as a rube who, through some stroke of luck, has popped up in the sophisticated Finance portfolio, but being the honest and simple guy he is, still can’t help saying what he really thinks.

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