It just gets worse and worse

First we had the suicidal strategy of politically assassinating the elected Prime Minister in the full view of television cameras, leaving his body to stalk the halls of Parliament like Banquo's ghost.  Then there's the retreat from key policy areas ... one described as "the great moral challenge of our time."  You simply walk away?  Then comes "real Julia".

Had no one ever heard of the smart arse observation that when you're a hole the first act in getting yourself out is to stop digging?  Obviously not.

So, on election night, when the scale of the defeat is becoming clear; the majority is gone; the first-preference votes are mounting up for the conservative grouping and you're fighting (poorly) for your political survival how could anyone think it's safe to step up to the microphone and on live television and say (as Julia Gillard said) ... “It now appears clear that Labor has won the two-party vote. That means the majority of Australians who voted yesterday prefer a Labor government. I think this is a critical fact to weigh in the coming days.”?

Isn't there a basic rule?  Don't pose a question unless you're certain of the answer.  Don't assert any "critical fact" unless you're surer than "it now appears ..."  Appearances can be deceptive Julia.  And what do you do or say now that your hostage to fortune comes back to haunt you?

From today's Australian ...

THE Coalition has now leapt forward in the two-party-preferred vote, taking over from Labor with a lead of 1531 votes on the Australian Electoral Commission’s latest count.

Behind in the seat count.  Behind in the first preference vote count.  And now (maybe) behind on the two-party preferred count.  Where do you go now ALP?

Nincompoops!
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