Whilst I generally agree with your "angle" on things, and have just read the article posted, I want to point out one observation. And that is the objectivity and laziness of journalists.
The following are direct cut and paste extracts...
...Sources say ...The Weekend Australian was told. ...one source said ...There is talk ...A senior Liberal was forced to concede ...a source says ..."Victorian Liberals".. one said
So who knows what all these anonymous people said, or was it just made up at the desk??
