Does anyone have an opinion on Malcolm Turnbull as Opposition Leader?

[Matilda]

Poor old Brendan just couldn't cut it - in trying to please everybody, he only succeeded in looking
as if he didn't know his own mind. Given that he was once a declared Labor voter who became a
Liberal PM, he was at least consistent in being inconsistent.

Malcolm certainly has an air of confidence and self-belief that poor Brendan lacked, but this is also
the man who once led the Australian Republican Movement and became a born-again monarchist when he
entered Parliament as a Liberal MP under John Howard ("we can have an Australian Republic with the
Queen as head-of-state").

Any thoughts?

[uriel1972]

1. He's a slippery sod and probably

could weasel his way to PM if we ain't careful

[Matilda]

2. Yesterday's Malcolm Turnbull was duly humble

"Well it's a great honour and privilege - humbling - to be elected today to lead the federal parliamentary Liberal Party."

http://www.smh.com.au/news/opinion/annabel-crabb/your-most-humble-servant-lets-his-minnows-do-the-talking/2008/09/16/1221330838842.html (funny article by Annabel Crabb)

Today, it's back to normal for Mal the Banker:

"I am the leader".

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/09/17/2366740.htm?section=australia

The latter remark was made in relation to his decision to keep the five cent fuel excise cut as part
of Liberal Party policy; a policy he voted against when it was first proposed by Brendan the Brief.

Which is one illustration of the way that Turnbull is very often just as vacillating as Nelson. The
big difference is that when Malcolm changes his mind, he manages to do it while sounding loud and
confident, as though yesterday's reverse opinion never happened. If Brendan had managed to acquire
the same skill, he might still be leader of the Opposition.

[gemini_liberal]

3. While having a small-L liberal as Liberal leader sounds good

He has already shown he will happily shift positions for the sake of political expediency. Give him a few months and he'll be a true blue conservative. The ever hanging sword of demecles by douchebags like Minchin will ensure that!

While he'll probably fair better than Nelson would've, and I'll appreciate an opposition leader who uses rational thought and logic in his arguments, I don't believe he can topple Rudd, as he very much projects aloofness and the Liberals really need to go for the populist image at the moment...

who knows though, with global depression looming all bets are off!

[Matilda]

4. Malcolm, leader of the ARM who became a born-again monarchist

when he was hoping for a portfolio from John Howard.

When Kevin Rudd laid down his challenge yesterday for bi-lateral support for an Australian Republic,
Malcolm said "not in the lifetime of the present Queen". That wasn't what he was saying as head
of the ARM.

And according to Wayne Swan, Turnbull once sought selection for a Labor Senate seat - back in the
days before he became a Liberal hopeful.

I just love a man who knows what he believes in, and stands by those beliefs.

[Esra Star]

5. He was only sure of the numbers when Costello said

he wasn't interested.
Poor ol' Brendon couldn't take a trick. Mal will give it a go.
His main problem is that most people aren't amused by his attitude.
He will probably be the leader into the next election.

[Matilda]

6. Agreed - I don't think they'll change leaders again any time soon.

I think he'll also give Rudd more of a run for his money, if for no other reason than his enormous
self-belief. People are often fooled by that, and fail to look at actual performance. Like Sarah
Palin - she has nothing but self-belief, but look how far it's taken her.

[iangb]

7. Well yes...........

Malcom has an opinion on his leadership......and it's all good.

For mine Malcom promises to be the Gough Whitlam of the 21st Century.

[Esra Star]

8. OK, I'll bite.....

In what respect will Mal be compared to Gough?

[canetoad]

9. Yep. In my opinion

he is another rich fukker seeking even more power and further fora to promulgate his right wing ideas. His leadership came about by four votes. FOUR votes. Don't think for a minute that there is not a gang of throat slitters ready to do a job on MT.

He won't last. The libs are hurting, but they have a vague idea that standover tactics, such as those displayed during the H/C years are not the way to win the hearts and minds and VOTES. Heaven help us should we go down the polarising path that USA has followed and allowed loud mouthed fanatics the platform to sway normally benign and easygoing folk into hating their fellow citizens.

Turnbull may be what they need at the moment, but only until a proper leader comes along.

[Matilda]

10. I'll give him one thing ... he performs well in the House.

Question Time is getting interesting again. Not as much fun as it was
with Keating, but at least there's a contest. I watched Brendan's last
hurrah on the day he called the spill, and it was truly pathetic. He
jumped around, shouted, waved his arms and his can of baked beans and
his jam-jar, and you just thought "what a lousy actor he is". Turnbull
can at least speak, and actually has a sense of humour. Whether he
will show any substance, or have the stamina for the long haul, remains
to be seen.

With Rudd out of the country, it's going to be fun watching Turnbull
going head to head with Gillard. I think she'll give as good as she
gets, and it should be good.