Australian Federal Election 2007- Beazley Remains Labor Leader

[Talleyrand]

I think Beazley would have won the election by something like 52-48, with a majority smaller than Rudd's. He would have made less gains in Queensland, but received a net gain in WA. Since he doesn't have the personal problems Rudd had, he'd probably have had a quiet first term and expanded his majority in 2010.

Any thoughts on this?

[I Can't Get That Sound You Make, Out Of My Head]

Howard was damaged goods by 2007, but Beazles would've done worse as he wasn't as strong of a candidate as Rudd.

[Reagan and Thatcher's Long Lost Son]

I think the Coalition would have won a fifth and final term had Beazley stayed as Labor leader. Howard would have resigned sometime in that term and replaced by Costello, who probably would have lost in 2010 to a new Labor leader (probably Rudd)

[Smid]

Oh great, another blue Australian avatar, now I'm not going to be able to immediately recognise my posts!

Welcome to the Forum, Anton!

[RogueBeaver]

Given how narrow it was IRL even with Rudd (9 seats swung by less than 3%- which leaves the Coalition with 78 seats) I'd say Howard has a pretty decent shot at winning. Unless Costello takes over at the end of 2006, dunno if that can also be an OP scenario.