” When looked at in isolation, the lies and indiscretions of Tony Abbott, his problems with women and even his negativity could perhaps all be written off as just Tony being Tony. Or ‘that’s just politics.’  However my focus here is on character, and whether Mr Abbott has enough of it to be the leader of our nation. My contention is that because we are looking at a litany of instances of lying, deception and bad behaviour over a long period of time, he simply doesn’t have the essence of character which is one of the main ingredients in the recipe of leadership.

If politics is fundamentally about ideas, it is also about leadership. In this piece I have deliberately steered clear of policy argument in order to concentrate on character. On three occasions I have invited people on Facebook to list five attributes of Tony Abbott that would warrant his election as Prime Minister of Australia. I have never received a reply. And when you look at the list is it any wonder?  He is simply bereft of any character at all. He has been described as the Mad Monk and many other things, but essentially he is a repugnant gutter politician of the worst kind.

In following the American Republican party’s example, his shock and awe tactics associated with perpetual crisis,has done nothing but degenerate the standard of Australian politics, and the Parliament generally. In the public eye he is most effective in attack-dog mode. However he is found wanting when he needs to defend himself, and simply reverts to stuttering hesitation and lies. Or just walking out on press conferences when he stumbles over tough questions. This is particularly noticeable when he tries to explain the complexity of policy detail.

The future of this country is of vital importance. So much so that its leadership should never be entrusted to a politician of such little virtue and character. A man who has failed to articulate a narrative for Australia’s future other than a personal desire to occupy The Lodge. Given his performance of late he would do well to consider these words: Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to open your mouth and remove all doubt. It’s easy to understand what Abbott says because he only speaks in slogans. The difficulty is knowing what he means.”

~ Read the full article to see the appalling chronicle of lies, brutality and the sheer nastiness of this man who would be Prime Minister of Australia. It’s a disturbingly long  list of dishonesty and bastardry.

via Never « The Australian Independent Media Network - a guest post by John Lord.