An increasing number of Spring Street Liberals believe that the drafting of Shadow Police Minister Andrew McIntosh as Deputy Leader could resolve the tense leadership crisis that has beset the Liberal Party.
McIntosh is capable they say of bringing at least several votes with him (and as many as half a dozen) in a joint-ticket with the statesmanlike country conservative Terry Mulder.
If McIntosh agreed to run as Deputy in those circumstances, many Liberal insiders believe it would be "all over".
Close observers of McIntosh say he is very ambitious, has the potential to raise his profile but is left somewhat uninspired by not so much the current leadership who are his friends after all but by the party's current prospects of winning. Elevated to the position of Deputy Leader he would be a new man, some believe.
He would certainly be a undisputed vast improvement on the current incumbent Louise Asher, whose only strength appears to be a passionate support for the best football club in the land.
Asher was slammed by one critic this week in discussions with the OC as being "in semi-retirement", a disgraceful situation which cannot endure.
But Asher and Red Ted are extremely tight so she won't be going anywhere. Asher's leaking and destabilisation against Doyle was considered absolutely crucial in getting Baillieu the leadership which means that the only way Andrew Mac could get the position would be to take some of his allies with him and support Terry Mulder, who is emerging clearly as the Liberal's only hope.
Game on.
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