I saw Bill Shorton on a repeat of Kitchen Cabinet last night. It was the hardest interview I’ve seen Crabb do. Awkward, stilted, forced smiles, and mostly, nothing to say.

The most obvious question from the interview in why is Shorton there? He was parachuted into a safe Labor seat, was given a minor portfolio -disabilities - and did, actually, make something of it. The NDIS is a big, transformational Labor policy for people with disabilities and their carers.

But Shorton struggled to define what he truly stands for beyond naked ambition. He struggled to articulate any passions or much of a sense of himself at all.

The big question is how did he get there? He must have some political skills. Shorton is clearly a fixer, not a maddie. He came across as privaledged, spoilt and dull. I doubt he’ll ever want to see footage of that interview again.

How could he possibly be Prime Minister? I actually think Tony Abbott has more skill and depth.

Quote:


Installed by the ACTU....

I thought it crazy that Labor went with Shorten over Albanese.

Dnarever wrote on Jan 19^th, 2015 at 8:50am:


It's a numbers game. Albo's from the left, Shorton's from the right. But I did think at the time of the vote that Shorton was more electable.

I believe Shorton also won the branch members's vote, who now get 50% of the say.

Since becoming leader, however, Shorton seems to have frozen up. This isn't just the minders telling him what to say or do, it's a visceral sense of fear.

Gillard had it when she became PM (the "real Juliar"), Howard had it when he became PM too. The difference with both these leaders is they were able to overcome this initial fear, based on their experience in parliamentary politics. They both went on to be formidable leaders. Gillard certainly came out fighting. Howard came out in his tentative, cautious way, always strategizing, but always by all accounts a fairly decent person.

The question of "judgement", for Keating, is about experience. People learn from their mistakes and their victories. This influences their decision making.

Shorton, however, has not had this political experience. This leads to his lack of confidence, which can be a good thing if you're in a job where you can delegate everything. The office of Prime Minister is not that job. The only experience Shorton has had is as a junior minister.

Abbott, on the other hand, has not learned from his experience. Essentially, he has had no great failures. This has shaped the hubris that could allow Abbott to promise so much, to brand himself as a politician who keeps his promises, and then break every one of those promises. Abbott never learned from his own criticism of Labor: that politics (and leadership) is essentially about trust. As a fighter, however, Abbott has learned to take the blows. Abbott is able to change his opponent at will. For Abbott, the enemy is no longer Labor, it's the voters.

Shorton is no fighter, he's a fixer, a numbers-man. I seriously doubt Shorton will ever bring Labor into office. He struggles to present an argument, and he can't, as yet, articulate an alternative vision. Australia needs this vision. We're in a period of economic transition. Transition to where?

This is no criticism of Shorton. Parties need fixers. Bill Shorton is simply the wrong man for the job of opposition leader, and especially PM. Leaders, of course,  grow into this role, but I don't get the sense from Shorton that he can. He has not, as yet, had enough challenges. He has not had the experience that shapes good judgement.

Albos gone right off the radar....

cods wrote on Jan 19^th, 2015 at 10:23am:

Are you under the impression that everything about Unions is bad, and that all officials are corrupt?  If so, why?


cods wrote on Jan 19^th, 2015 at 10:23am:

When did he say that?

Swagman wrote on Jan 19^th, 2015 at 8:46am:



quiet swag, as lao Tzu says ," when thy enemy is making mistakes , say nothing".

labor need to win back the suburban battlers. Rudd, Gillard (a flying visit to Rooty Hill ), Shorten,

these people have Zero street cred in the burbs.

elections are won in western Sydney.

Albo or the retired Martin Ferguson could have carried these areas for labor.
Shorten would just get into an argument with the pie lady

greggerypeccary wrote on Jan 19^th, 2015 at 10:51am:




could be some thought she might tell what went on behind the doors..... but I dont think she did.. Latham wrote a thriller when he lost his job....gillard we think wrote a poor me boo hoo book...

cods wrote on Jan 19^th, 2015 at 10:56am:


So you haven't read it?

So much bile from an old dear, your ulcer must be causing you havoc.

Take an Aspro & go for walk in the garden, take time to smell the flowers.