Sorry for my ignorance (i dont watch the news).. but why is gilliard now PM? lol people were talking about it today but no one actually new exactly><
Basically in the past 6 months Rudd has been facing a lot of pressure for some backflips he has made and unfulfilled promises from his 07 campaign (notably dumping the emissions trading scheme, probably his biggest election promise back in 07)
In the past few weeks the Liberals began crawling back votes. Rudd decided to take evasive measures, introduced the mining tax and tried to play it as a 'Rich Australian Miner VS The poor aussie battler' sort of thing, which he has used so many times, hoping to gain back some votes.
It backfired as evidently average Australian understand the importance of the mining industry and its effect on our export market. Consequently Rudd loses more support, including the support (of the majority) his own party, they tell Gillard to run against Rudd, she agrees, tells Rudd of her plans to challenge him for pm. Last night Rudd announces there will be a ballot the following morning to decide the PM. He backs out of that and resigns, leaving Gillard the PM of Austrlaia.
Honourable? I believe it to be mere gutless. Standing down without a fight (to something you really genuinely care about) is more embarrassing than being thrashed in a leadership ballot.
He held his head high and stepped down. Fighting would have been ridiculous and embarrassing cause had no chance of winning.