John Howard has long been hailed as the master of wedge politics. In fact, it has become his stock in trade to thwart political opposition and drive forward political policies which a lot of Australians thought were not part of our national ethos anymore.As the Liberal Party plunges in the polls with a Federal election only weeks away, and as the possibility of John Howard becoming the second Prime Minister in Australian history to lose his own seat, the question now needs to be asked:
Has John Howard been wedged?
Now geometry and higher forms of mathematics were never Miss Eagle's strong suits. Arithmetical calculations and mystical algebraic contemplation are more her speed. But Miss Eagle does venture to ask the following:
- Does a wedge have boomerang-style capabilities? In other words, is it possible for it to come back and bite you in the b^m?
- Bearing in mind the flying wedge strategy - so useful in war and Rugby Union - what is the trajectory of a wedge in flight: short and steep? long with deep coverage? able to encompass ministers and backbenchers in its flightpath? is it a guided or unguided missile?
There seems little doubt that Kevin Rudd has developed an effective shield against the wedge. The first person in modern political history to effectively do so, or so it would seem. The poll that counts will tell.
Meanwhile, there are noises in the barnyard of chickens coming home to roost.Thanks for not announcing your retirement, John.
Hang in there, John - even if it's by your fingernails.
Hang in there! Until the electors of Bennelong give you your marching orders.
Then your chickens will have come home to roost.
