Lets hope Slipper does because so many see through Abbott;
Bring On Ms Bishop as Leader of the Opposition ( and I dont think I am alone in that thought bubble) Shame Nelson got the boot . looking back the best libs have left.
Polarising right-winger: US on AbbottBY BIANCA HALL
03 Sep, 2011 12:00 AM
Former US ambassador Robert McCallum reported to Washington that Tony Abbott was a ''polarising right-winger'' with a ''propensity for insensitivity and controversy'', leaked diplomatic cables show.
The cables, released by whistleblower site WikiLeaks this week, detail the Liberal Party's fortunes in 2007.
And they reveal a less than complimentary characterisation of the man who would become Opposition Leader.
On November 2, Mr McCallum described then health minister Mr Abbott as ''a capable performer with a sharp tongue but questionable judgment'', who had ''managed to halt the Government's momentum by insulting a wheelchair-bound asbestos victims-rights campaigner''. Mr McCallum added that this had come the day before Mr Abbott arrived late to a nationally-televised debate with Labor MP Nicola Roxon, at which Mr Abbott gave a ''testy'' performance.
On November 25, Mr McCallum updated the United States on the fight for the Liberal Party's leadership after Peter Costello announced he would not contest the position.
He described Mr Abbott as ''a quick-witted, ideological warrior who had a very poor campaign''.
''His insult of an asbestosis campaigner who is now on his deathbed showed very poor judgment on his part.''
He reserved a warmer assessment for deputy leader Julie Bishop.
''As deputy leader, Julie Bishop, intelligent, photogenic and a former successful barrister from Western Australia, would be a good match-up for incoming Labor deputy prime minister Julia Gillard.''
Mr McCallum also advised his American colleagues the man who became Opposition leader, Brendan Nelson, had such a good grasp of detail and was so acute that ''his nickname among other politicians is 'Rainman'''
http://www.canberratimes.com.au/news/national/national/general/polarising-rightw...