Andrei.Hicks wrote on Mar 22
nd, 2013 at 8:48am:
I am no supporter or fan of the Labor Party or Julia Gillard, I think my record on here backs that one up.
But I will add that Tony Abbott has done precious little to cause any of this popularity fall himself.
I don't think Abbott will be a good PM. I think he's a good attack-dog Minister (which is just what Howard used him for) and he can hammer guys in parliament but I don't see him as a leader.
Labor is on 29-31.
I think this is in spite of Abbott not because of it.
Honestly, I think if the Liberals were currently led by Turnbull, Labor would be on 21-23 primary vote.
Gillard, Rudd, Swan, Emerson etc etc - the list is endless.
Making a policy, being cast-iron on it, then dropping it a year later as if they had never said anything about it.
Swan's surplus.
He shouldn't have committed to one, he didn't need to. But he did, then he drops it.
Gillard didn't need to say no carbon tax, she simply didn't need to say that.
It's just one policy drop after another - none of this has to do with Abbott or the Coalition.
All Abbott has to do is shut up, say nothing and just watch the other side fold internally.
All that yesterday had nothing to do with him at all, they are collapsing within.
Problem is, this is a party actually supposed to be leading the country.
I do, however, think that at some point in the future Malcolm Turnbull will be the Prime Minister - and Australia will be the better for it.
I have to disagree.
When Nelson & Turnbull were Leaders of the Libs the Coalition's polls were at record lows and Rudd Labor were in record highs.
Nelson & Turnbull did not offer a political alternative. They were weak and they failed in making in-roads into Labor's popularity.
I admit that I was apprehensive when Abbott was elected leader but he almost got the Coalition over the line in 2010 and but for a couple of turn coat Independents he would have done the near impossible and defeated a first term Govt which enjoyed record popularity.
So what if he's been negative? In opposition you oppose. Abbott gave the Coalition a weapon (get rid of the unmandated carbon tax) to beat Labor up and that's what he has achieved.
One of the heaviest yoke around Gillard's neck is the carbon tax and eventual ETS
Turnbull supports an ETS - therefore Labor will have a field day if he becomes leader