twisting the argument to suit the situation

When the government took Australia to war against national opinion which advised caution, PM Howard boasted that he was a great leader because he took a courageous decision against overwhelming odds.
Today he told the media that he would not bring David Hicks back here without trial because that is something that he suspected the majority of Australians would not want.
John, you cannot be a great leader in one area and not in another. Sticking up for the little people and particularly for someone who was probably mentally unbalanced in the first place requires guts.
There is no shortage of warmongers in the world - it's why we don't have peace. So to join the warmongers is no big deal. Sticking your neck out on a point of justice - that takes courage.
I agree with you John that a majority of Australians probably are motivated against David Hicks. The idea of leadership in government John is to do the right thing in the face of overwhelming odds. You might get defeated. But you don't give up or take the easy option.
It is why Beazeley was wrong on the boat people issue in 2001. He might very well have been defeated but at least his principles would have been intact. Far better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all. Far better to have stood up for principles than never to have taken a stand at all.