tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6805664.post5373752228859485071..comments2008-09-02T10:47:40.451+09:00Tobias Harrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05483833677342376445observingjapan@gmail.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6805664.post-63259148507119921782008-09-02T10:47:40.451+09:002008-09-02T10:47:40.451+09:00Janne,<BR/><BR/>I recognize that conventional wisdom says that Aso will enjoy a wave of support when he enters office, but this hardly seems like a conventional moment.<BR/><BR/>The situation is chaotic and the cabinet's popularity is trending sharply downward. Calling an election before the government has a chance to stop the bleeding is a recipe for disaster. I don't expect a new government to wait too long, but I also don't expect the first act of a new government to be dissolving the lower house and calling an election.<BR/><BR/>Given his position, I don't think anyone will buy the idea that Aso is blameless.Tobias Harrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05483833677342376445noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6805664.post-54985632557007438022008-09-02T10:36:00.000+09:002008-09-02T10:36:00.000+09:00The risk of delaying an election is of course that the more time passes the more the "new candidate" shine will wear off Aso and the more time he and his cabinet will have for missteps. Also, responsibility is a gradual thing - if he calls an election immediately he can paint himself as largely without blame for the current state of affairs. Once he has settled in as prime minister he has picked up responsibility for all problems, current and historical.Janne Morénhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06834641501438709866noreply@blogger.com