End times 5- Tony Tony Tony!!!

Karl Bitar made the beginners mistake on the final, kinda underwhelming episode of the Chaser's Yes We Canberra last night- he ran. He was caught, pathetically, trying to slam the door on Reucassel, refusing to smile and play and nod and agree as per the memo he himself probably handed out to his colleagues should they get jumped. Bitar might've otherwise had a good night. Because the strategy we assume he had put in place (stay small and wait for an Abbot implosion) seemed to come true, a little late, but perhaps not too late. Last nights press conference and the stories of the day since have put the burners on the Coalition.

Tony- what crazy lurk beneath? Via Fairfax

It was a classic, withering, stuttering, aggressive performance from the man who might. Abbott seems to be fuelled by expectancy at the moment. While Gillard happily acquiesces, Abbott is pulling on the gloves. But he's picking a problematic fight, as the Independents have affirmed today. Katter squeaks 'what is he hiding'. Windsor suggests it's not off to a good start. Oakeshott has been quiet. And Andrew Robb has been dished out (not Abbott, not Hockey, which I guess if fair enough if you want to avoid putting kero on a flame), speaking about the criminal act of the leak during the campaign. It won't work.

Abbott knows it's a tough play, but as several editorials have noted, it's a calculated move. Remember in Donnie Brasco when Johnny Depp, undercover cop wearing a wire in his boot, beats the crap out of the Japanese waiter who asks him to remove his shoes before entering the restaurant as per the custom? That's what this is. The figures won't work. And Abbott knows that with three seats still in play, two of which are a likely win, he has to beat the crap out of the waiter lest he get found out and have everything fall in. If he gets his 73rd, that's his leverage. If it goes on and becomes a mess, with the constituents of the gang of three requesting a Lib Gov and the national interest turning to annoyance at these three kingmakers, then maybe we have another poll, and Abbott backs himself in such an environment. I'm not sure if that's right (expect part of that Greenslide to turn red if we go again) but that's what he's got.

In the meantime, BobKat is going global. A viral megamix isn't far away I'm sure.