the basic trap of kicking an own goal which in political terms is inopportune for his side of things - unless he has done a Graham Richardson. GraemeF: 26 Sep 2012 3:22:14pm Tanner probably got caught out by the rising polls. He no doubt thought his book would arrive on the scene with Labor still in the doldrums. Too late to pull out or write a final chapter. I do wonder why anyone in Labor would use The Austalian as a launch pad. AT: 26 Sep 2012 4:32:06pm I'd say you're right, but I think it's more than just a question of bad timing, the whole thing seems real "old school". Former pollies with delusions of magisterialness betray confidences, dump on their party and without a hint of irony, for a Labor guy, fraternise with The Australian. His previous book was kinda new and different, what a pity he couldn't expand on that. Also kinda old school is this article from our Jonathan which perhaps seeks to hype up a piddling spat. I doubt the book will have any sort of real impact. These days 'events' such as this have a half life of 24 hours, 36 if you're lucky. Bones: 26 Sep 2012 5:33:36pm "I do wonder why anyone in Labor would use The Austalian as a launch pad." Because it is only read by lefties ! Even Tanner knows that ! That's the only way they know what is going on around them ! Conservatives watch TV news