Philipp Rösler, the new star in the FDP, tried to wash away these doubts when in his opening and closing speech he told his supporters that in politics, it is OK to get knocked down. But if one stays down, one will end up counted out. Only when his party gets back to his feet will it have the chance to score a few more points. If he survives the poll on December 13, it seems he has a good chance to lead his party back in the ring.