I'll leave within three years if elected, says Howard

[anakie]

Source: courier-mail (Australia)

PRIME Minister John Howard has said he will step down some time within the next three years - if re-elected at the coming election. Treasurer Peter Costello would be his likely successor.
Mr Howard, 68, who emerged unscathed from a Liberal Party meeting today at which his leadership was discussed, has been under pressure to commit himself to serving a full term if re-elected.

........

"Frankly, I love the job. It still stimulates and energises me. There's a lot of things I want to do for the Australian people," Mr Howard told ABC TV tonight.

.......
Mr Howard said the government could still win the election, despite trailing Labor by 18 points in a recent opinion poll.

......

If, after 11 years in office, the prime minister can no longer effectively govern his party, how can he now claim to continue to be able to govern the country?" Mr Rudd asked.






Read more: http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,22407727-952,00.html

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Politics in Australia are very interesting at the moment, with the phony campaign hotting up before Howard calls the election later this year. It is great watching him squirm over the leadership issue, which has been bought to a head by consistent opinion polls showing Kevin Rudd and Labor leading by anywhere from 12 to 18 points. These numbers if reflected in the election will decimate the current government with Howard himself in danger of losing his seat.

Howard this week has stared down his own party over his leadership highlighting a lack of cojones by the rest of the party and especially of his preferred successor Peter Costello, aka Captain Smirk.

Howard thought he would get a boost following the OPEC sorry APEC meeting this last week by highlighting his statesman like credentials. What do we remember about OPEC sorry APEC; the Chaser stunt, Bush's lack of competence in the English language and Kevin Rudd's fluency in Mandarin addressing the Chinese leadership.

Rudd looked like PM material, Howard looked pathetic.


Peace

[truebrit71]

1. No you won't you right-wing c****....you aint' gonna be re-elected...

...so you ain't got shit to worry about you fucking toolshed....

[roamer65]

2. Sounds like Australia is gonna retire Howard...

much sooner than over "the next 3 years" if the ALP is up 12-18 points. Good riddance to Howard. Go ALP!!! Hopefully Rudd pulls Australia out of Iraq, just like Whitlam did with Vietnam.

[bemildred]

3. Leave now. nt

[Robbien]

4. That's a selling point? You will only have to put up with me for three more years

if I am elected.

Huh?