Howard...very clever politican...regardless of who is destroyed

John Howard is a very clever politician when it comes to attacking opponents...including those in his own party.

Malcolm Turnbull is now effectively wedged (or is that "in the Gunn") over the Tasmanian pulp mill. More people are likely to campaign against him in his seat of Wentworth. It won't help him in retaining that seat.

Does John Howard lose sleep over that? One less leadership threat for him to worry about. After all, the PM has already neutralised Peter Costello over the "team job" issue. If the Liberal win and Howard retains Bennelong, he'll find a way to weasel out of any succession plan deal. If the Liberals win but Howard loses Bennelong, well not John's problem.

But if the Liberals lose (regardless of Bennelong) Howard can then say it was Costello's bad image that brought us down and shift the blame off himself - thereby taking Pete down with him.

Brendan Nelson, watch your back. John Howard is a very politician for sure…and he’ll exercise that cleverness wherever his egoic insecurities need him to.