Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd's heart was not the only Labor one fluttering when he announced he would undergo surgery to replace an aortic valve.
The premature retirement, forced resignation or death of one of its MPs is not something the Gillard government wants to contemplate as it plumbs new depths in the latest opinion polls.
Especially when one of its chief backers, independent MP Tony Windsor, says a Labor win at the next general election is unlikely.
I wonder if they will be able to find it
Wonder if Windsor is thinking of changing horses to save his sorry ass?