Why? Because it was getting too easy to take the piss out of Kevin Rudd. Although i must admit i did enjoy the Kevin OLemon ad.
But Gillard is harder to attack. She's a woman so she might attract (irrational) sympathy from a bloke having a go at her, and she's more sturdy as a personality and experienced as a poltician than Rudd. (I'll have mOre on Rudd's issues and a possible case later)
Abbott now has to come out and outline why he is better. He needs to return to some of the themes in battlelines and be the compassionate conservative he is.
I dont believe he is a turn-off for females because he is good looking and strong in physique and personality. Any talk of looks is superficial and not intended to be patronising to parts of the electorate. But it all counts in politics.
Besides Gillard looks like Lady Macbeth now. She's not the figure of transcendent compassion that Rudd and Obama were. Lefties wont respond to her that well.
The emotional playing field is level, almost. Tony has to defend as well as attack or it wont matter how many goals he scores, Gillard will score more.
If he shows us his mad skills I am for the first time predicting a Liberal victory in the next federal election.
