FIGHTIN' WORDS: Liberal Patriots Punch Hard and Low In Pre State Council Sparring

A Liberal patriot opines as we prepare to enter a long hot humid summer of internal conservative carnage:

Serious muttering in Tory bunkers about the sustainability of Red Ted's leadership.

Many people on both sides of the factional divide despise Philip Davis, but most are prepared to acknowledge that he does have a point - the Vic Libs don't stand for anything. Under Red Ted, this appears unlikely to change.
Some of Red Ted's closest supporters have been dismayed by his performance since the Federal Election. Going around bleating about then need to be "young at heart" (whatever that means) is never going to capture the hearts and minds of swinging voters in the suburbs that the Libs need to win over.

Party members and MPs are equally baffled by Ted's refusal to articulate clear messages on issues like crime and transport, where Brumby and co. are staggeringly vulnerable.

While his party is in crisis, Red Ted remains firmly focused on the next election – the one at State Council in April 2008, that is, not the one in November 2010.

He is apparently determined to install the talentless and permanently inebriated Paul Price as State Director (OC: A bit harsh but what else would one expect from the OC). Apparently Ted feels someone who was sacked from Nemco for poor performance is just what the 104 machine needs to take on Brumby.

Price has already given up media duties in Baillieu's office (not that anyone's noticed) to focus on winning the 104 job. His place has been taken by Simon Troeth, son of Red Ted favourite Sen. Judith Troeth, who has said more in the few weeks since the federal loss than she has in the last 6 years combined.

Among the Libs on Spring St there is a mood of deep despair. None of them think Red Ted has what it takes, and there is now serious talk about a McIntosh/Mulder or Mulder/McIntosh ticket. Hardly a dream team, but they might at least land the occasional blow on Brumby.

Meanwhile speculation continues about who will replace Julian Sheezel at the good ship 104. Aside from Price, who most observers agree has a snowflake's chance in hell, the names still being mentioned are Renee Hindmarsh, formed Ted staffer Stuart Eaton and current 104 staffer Simon Morgan. Eaton and Morgan are both good operators and represent the kind of young, hungry types the Libs need to be looking to. Hindmarsh would certainly be an, ahem, interesting choice. God knows how her name got into the mix.

Game on.