Despite its acquisition by Eric Beecher – a well-deserved winner of journalistic leadership award at last night’s Walkleys – Crikey maintains a propensity to go a tad too far in the character assassination stakes every now and then.

Yesterday among Crikey’s targets were Brian Loughnane, David Epstein and, of course, a string of names in a “political appointments” story.

A bit of defence and context is required for each of those caught in the aftermath of that bloody long election.

Brian Loughnane should not be “sacked”, despite Christian Kerr recommending otherwise. He should be given an appreciative send-off for a job largely well done as the Liberals’ Federal Director.

Yes the Coalition campaign was far from perfect but irrespective of that fact Australia wanted change. The Coalition could have offered every Australian woman a night with George Clooney yet Kevin Rudd would have been their preferred choice.

While offering proven economic quality, the Liberal Party did not offer a contemporary alternative. That was nothing to do with Brian Loughnane, who, it should be recalled, helped see off Mark Latham in 2004.

Mr Kerr’s throwaway line that Mr Loughnane should be “sacked” is not supported by any effective rationale.

Meanwhile, David Epstein’s recruitment to Kevin Rudd’s office was clearly a master-stroke. Mr Epstein helped provide critical campaign experience to the Leader’s steely resolve.

Like Brian Loughnane, David Epstein is decent and very professional. Yet Crikey smeared him this week, writing “there is also potential for corruption and conflicts of interest with Labor in power in all States and territories” adding yesterday from The Daily Telegraph that “(David Epstein) lobbied the State Government on behalf of Packer-owned Betfair betting agency”. Crikey concluded yesterday that it “is aware of further allegations surrounding this matter and Epstein’s role in negotiating other contracts during his time in government affairs”.

Nothing substantiated, nothing proven and nothing, in reality, to write about.

Finally, Crikey’s “political appointments” story inferred the likes of Steven Skala, Tim Fischer, Paul O’Sullivan, Robert Champion de Crespigny, Charles Curran and Ros Packer are in government positions purely because of their links. Further complete toss. Competence is the dominant factor in most of these appointments.

Such people may support “agendas”, but it would be crazy if they did not. Would Ben Cousins be appointed to the Therapeutic Goods Administration? There must be support for the suggested organisation, its agenda and values; whether in political, corporate, not-for-profit or any other walk of life.

Readers could say “Ian Smith would write that wouldn’t he? He’s involved in all that political malarkey as well”. But irrespective of my job or affiliations, good people should receive appropriate defence. Even on Crikey.

Whatever, I am going to stop writing about that bloody long election now. My team lost, the others won fair and square. There was an overwhelming mood for change, Labor was disciplined while a few in the Coalition went walkabout.

Many journalists did an extraordinary job covering the election. But perhaps those going through the entrails of post-election political gossip should all go and take a cold shower. The election is done and dusted and Christmas is coming. Tories should hang loose with the comrades for a while and then get back to it in 2008.