Adding on to/agreeing with Len and Paul's comments, Noda san is not representing the right-ish end of the party, namely Ozawa and Hatoyama, and as has been said, this is good, This weakens them, hopefully changing the generation in power for good. And as Len and Paul say, his alliance is more ill defined meaning his power in the party has more possibility of emerging slowly.
We will see. Ganbatte Noda san! This is one of the last attempts of the DPJ to redeem itself.

Sarah Hyde