Next week's vote for the ALP leadership is of course crucial for the ALP's chances of winning, or doing well, at next year's poll (almost certain to be in October, or maybe early November).
Beazley's in this jam because the electorate has given up on him. People simply don't believe the ALP can win with the bomber in the pilot's seat.
But just putting a fresh face in that seat is not going to make much difference, either.
Rudd needs some sweeping changes. Gillard as deputy and Garrett in the top team leading the charge on climate change.
Across the board there is a need for some more energy and enthusiasm on Labor's frontbench. The Opposition has meekly surrendered the initiative on climate change, the IR campaign is limping along (the rearguard action on behalf of the ACTU is not capturing public imagination), there are no clear alternatives on health and education, labor seems to be fighting the last campaign on economics (wasting money on interest rate ads) and it is still to resolve its position on the nuclear debate with key figures like Bob Carr pushing for a nuclear future (should make for a fun conference next April).
