In some way I guess the Bully’s front-page splash today “Rudd back’s Mooney” is the story that had to come. Mooney has clearly been working the back rooms of the ALP for some time to keep his name in the ring for preselection for the federal seat of Herbert.
While Herbert is eminently winnable by the ALP (with the right candidate and the right campaign), Mooney is no risk-taker and doesn’t like to lose. He won’t commit to his candidature until he knows his chances of winning preselection (clearly, it’s in his interest for there NOT to be a plebiscite) and then the seat.
For what it’s worth, I think he’d lose the seat but not by as big a margin as George Cobram would. Whether he wins preselection will depend on who makes the decision – plebiscite or State Office.
Back to today’s front-page story by Lendl Ryan and Jessica Johnston. To infer endorsement of Mooney from Rudd’s comments is just a bit of a stretch.
As for the 20-year ”friendship” between Rudd and Money asserted by the article, Rudd reveals it all: “Tony is a great guy. I have known him for 20 years”. Rudd of course would say exactly the same for all of those in the ALP in North Qld he has played the game with (and against) over the last 20 years – including Jenny Hill.
Speaking of games, I expect the Bully to continue to push Mooney’s cause in the lead-up the ALP’s federal preselection just as I expect them to continue their hands-off-the-poor-old-bugger approach to Peter Lindsay’s dithering about his future in Herbert - the guy has been in the departure lounge reading retirement village brochures for at least the last 2 years and the Bully continues to use the velvet glove!
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