It's a perfectly impartial question that relates to our ability to win a bet. I'd suggest that gambling is a topic that is reasonable and common on this email group, and so debating the next leader of the ALP is no different to debating the winner of the Championship or a horserace.
My hypothesis is that most countries elect a centrist leader as they are likely to have connected with a wider percentage of the population. This election featured two leaders that were each historically further left and right of the centre than Rudd or Howard, both of whom had to then try to claim the middle ground. I just wonder whether a union man can occupy that ground well or does he product a whiff of trouble amongst middle Australia Whether the ALP believes that though is a different matter but their recent track record in picking electable leaders is quite poor. Talking of impartiality, I spotted a delightful comment on election night on ABC. Kerry O'Brien to Stephen Smith: "Stephen it looks like *we* have lost a number of seats tonight." On 23 August 2010 16:33, Marcus Chantry <[email protected]>wrote: > Treading on dangerous ground here Steve. The only left wing and right > wing discussions we should be having on this list are about Jarvis, Kightly > & co. > > > > > > *From:* [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] *On > Behalf Of *Steven Millward > *Sent:* Monday, 23 August 2010 3:56 PM > *To:* [email protected] > *Subject:* Re: [NSWolves] Odds > > > > One of Rudd's advantages was that he wasn't seen as part of the union. Do > we really need an organised labour leader who owes so many people for his > position to be PM? > > > > > > > On 23 August 2010 15:40, Marcus Chantry <[email protected]> > wrote: > > Shorten seemed to come across very well on Saturday night when he was > interviewed and at least he has the numbers in the labour party to ensure > that he doesn’t get his own midnight phone call to tell him he’s got the axe > like Krudd. If Julia is unfortunate enough to stay as PM, it’s a sure bet > that Shorten will turf her at some point in the not too distant future. > > > > *From:* [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] *On > Behalf Of *Steven Millward > *Sent:* Monday, 23 August 2010 3:15 PM > *To:* nswolves > *Subject:* [NSWolves] Odds > > > > Look at the odds on the next Labor leader > > > > > http://www.smh.com.au/federal-election/odds-shorten-on-next-labor-leader-20100823-13d2g.html > > > > Not sure when the next election has to be. All a bit difficult if it is in > a month’s time but in three years it might be worth a flutter. > > > > $31 for Kevin to return. Note that the poll on this page has him as the > preferred leader by the general public. > > -- > Pig's pudding - it's a mon's dinner aer kid > > The information contained in this email is confidential. If you are not the > intended recipient, you may not disclose or use the information in this > email in any way and should destroy any copies. Macquarie does not guarantee > the integrity of any emails or attached files. The views or opinions > expressed are the author's own and may not reflect the views or opinions of > Macquarie. > > > > -- > Pig's pudding - it's a mon's dinner aer kid > > > > -- > Pig's pudding - it's a mon's dinner aer kid > > -- > Pig's pudding - it's a mon's dinner aer kid > -- Pig's pudding - it's a mon's dinner aer kid
