@rabbitoh. You put your finger on what went wrong for Abbott...... Hockey
"it was Abbott Abbott Abbott, and really apart from a first budget that probably went too far too soon ( for a spoilt electorate.. "
Hockey smoking a cigar didn't help the image of a cruel heartless govt. Hockey acted as if the Libs would be there forever. As I saw it he was counting on the media to wage his battle of common sense for him and they didn't. Instead the media searched out anyone who would be harmed by the budget and got them to cry and howl. Now that Greece is showing how over spending can destroy a nation, the media is exposed as irresponsible and opportunist.
All those newly elected opportunists, PUP and Xenophon, tried to cash in on the howling by opposing budget repair and most got reelected.
The 2014 budget only went too far because Hockey did not spend time carefully explaining the need for repairing the ALP's excess spending. Now Hockey had about 9 months to prepare the nation for his cuts and he failed. Not only that but he has made it harder for ScoMo because the media gets a lot of value from those who will cry and howl over any cuts. Also Shorten is trying to cash in on any cuts as unnecessary.
