He's always been on the B squad, so to speak. Success in his political work has probably been measured as being quoted in a rural newspaper. That he chaired the defence committee for so long says it all, as it is considered one of the least prestigious committees there is. That he even got a shot at leadership is because Göran Persson in true Machiavellian fashion had purged most competent people from leadership positions.

But he is a really good speaker. The problem is that he is extremely spontaneuous as well. He has no experience of having his every word measured on golden scales, discussed in national media, disected by political bloggers and so on. An apt comparision is that of a walking bomb. Sooner or later he's gonna blow, and either destroy the rightwing government, the social democrats, or himself. He almost got himself this time, and going forward, he'll likely get very controlling handlers.

Peak oil is not an energy crisis. It is a liquid fuel crisis.