He was well aware going into the election. Did you watch the ABC "The Howard Years". He had mentioned before the election to his colleagues he was in grave danger.
Howard gave his colleagues the chance to vote him away and they declined. Howard had always stated he would remain leader past each election until such time as his party did not want him. They never voted to say they did not want him. He again stayed true to his word regardless of Labor going to 3 elections saying Howard was no certainty to remain leader after the election.
Eagle, no one deserves anything unless they are prepared to grasp it. Nothing comes on a silver platter. Yes Costello was a great Treasurer and would have and may still make a great PM. Unfortunately the electorate told him he was not a popular figure and would struggle to win an election. This was very similar to Keating. It was only until Hewson came along and lost the unloseable election.
