The first cracks in Howard's armour of invincibility?

[Matilda]

Or is it wishful thinking on my part?

He was forced to pull the migration bill this week because it was headed for certain defeat. Whether
because too many people just found it morally objectionable or whether it was because it was seen
as allowing Indonesia to dictate policy, the result was a slap in the face for Howard. Strike
number one.

Now he has been forced to allow a conscience vote on stem cell research. Howard himself has always
been firmly opposed, and he wouldn't have bent this far unless he knew there was strong opposition
from his own party. Strike number two.

And an announcement yesterday from the iceman himself, Phillip Ruddock, that unless the US can
charge David Hicks with something tangible by the end of the year, the Government will move to
repatriate him to Australia - knowing that they can charge him with nothing here. It can't be
coincidental that this follows the publicity generated by Major Michael Mori on his visit here.
I watched Andrew Denton's interview with him and he was very impressive. Behind the cheerful smile
and the folksy demeanour is a very sharp brain, and he managed to bucket Howard and the government
without uttering one word of criticism. He's done a great job for Hicks, and made Howard look like
the crawling toad that he really is. Strike number three.

Howard may find that he's stayed too long at the fair.