A Tangled Web

DON'T MENTION THE WAR.



John O'Sullivan, a great commentator, has an excellent analysis of the Australian General election result here. You remember that election, don't you - the one that our UK media pundits were running about spinning as being "too close to call" - but which John Howard won quite easily? Maybe not - because the UK media has shut up about it ever since, apart from a few begrudging comments about Iraq not being an issue. Apparently, the Aussies only think about domestic issues and have no strong views on the fact that their nation is part of the coalition of the willing (or bribed and coerced, if you are John Kerry).



As O'Sullivan says, " A Howard defeat would have been a setback for the Anglosphere, a disaster for the United States and a catastrophe for George W. Bush (and Tony Blair). And it would have been celebrated as such — make no mistake — by France, Germany, Middle Eastern despots, the United Nations, and the massed NGOs (non-governmental organizations) of the "international community. But Howard won. Indeed, he won a landslide of sweeping proportions — something rare by the standards of the cautious Aussie electorate. After three terms in office — when the usual sentiment of voters is "Time for A Change" — Howard actually increased his majority to an unassailable 30 seats. He gained control of the Senate — the first time since 1981 that the Coalition has controlled both Houses. "



This sets a good precedent for what will happen in a few short weeks in the United States. Liberals must be gnashing their teeth.