-I would like to see Howard stay on. He's beginning to get a Hindenburg feel about him- you know, the old, unmoveable statesman enjoying the undying support of the people. It would be dissapointing for him to end his era by just walking away, even if in glory. It would be more theatric for him to contend the next election as the result will represent the electorate's regard for Liberal Party ideology. I would hold Howard in higher esteem should he contend, becuase to me, he will become a man who persued his ideological calling until the very end, something I personally admire. To me, Howard would be then remembered as a man who contested an election he didn't have to, just to see whether the nation was accepting of the ideology he had presented them with. Either way, it will make for a thrilling story.
-Three groups on the Republic issue; 1. Monarchist Liberal 2. Republican Liberal 3. Republican Labor.
The monarchist Liberals will eventually be displaced by the Republicans, and that's when the fun will begin- when we see both parties vying for a Republic crafted either on Liberal Party terms or ALP terms.
-Malcolm Turnball has that warm, cuddly teddybear, Albert Speer quality that makes you want to like him regardless of any character flaws.
