Tim Blair

So the odds just lengthened considerably for poor Rudd.
I'm American, but thanks to Tim I know Mr. Addams quite well.

Theres no way Rudd would have done any better than Latham. He lacks credibility with the Australian public and has far less support within the party than what would be necessary to be a functional party leader. Perhaps later in his career he would be able to do it to an election winning standard, but not right now.

Well, Phil has just given young Kev the kiss of death.

They'd better do it soon, according to this article, Howard leads on preferred PM basis 60 to 25 %, and ALP's primary vote has slumped to 33% - Simon Crean levels, while the two-party-preferred difference is 52.8 to 47.2 per cent.

the arrogant son-of-a-bitch believes all Australians of "importance" should be elected by him not by due process.

"Well, Phil has just given young Kev the kiss of death."

I was drinking some tea at the time I read this. I now have to clean my desk!!

One of the reasons I like this blog are the comments. Always enjoy them. Sharp people. Generally find great one-liners. (I am not a good one-liner. I admire people who are.)

(As another poster already stated .. I have also become familiar with Mr. Adams.)

Kevvie Rudd's got all the charisma of a brick wall. He talks a lot but as John Howard once observed, not much comes out. If he projects any image at all, it's an egghead one, like Bob Carr. however, Aussie voters prefer their leaders, especially ALP ones, to get down and dirty, like Bob Hawke. A hint of scandal - womanising or drunkenness - would make him more human and attractive. Perhaps he could go out and bash a few cab drivers.

Good to hear Adams is betting on a fresh horse.

Given his past successes at this game (see Tim's link above), I am looking forward to the usual outpouring of his vitriol heaped on yet another hapless ALP frontbencher after they lose the next election.

JPB

What the hell? A fat joke from Adams? People, we've entered a meta-level pot-kettle zone from which no escape is possible.

Just wait until he starts calling Rudd a dribbling commie fuckwit....

"Kevvie Rudd's got all the charisma of a brick wall.

Mr Magoo, be fair. John Howard, for all his other positive qualities, isn't Mr Charisma. Have a look at the list of Liberal party leaders,
John Howard
Alexander Downer
Andrew Peacock
Malcolm Fraser
Bill McMahon
John Gorton
Harold Holt, and
Bob Menzies

Holt and Mezies were before my time, but there isn't exactly an overflow of charisma from that list, and Menzies, I believe, is the only one who'd be rated as truly charismatic. The only bloke on that list that I'd invite round for a few beers at a barbie would be John Gorton. Applying the same test Hawkie is the only Labor party leader since the second war who passes.

My favourite Rudd moment was when he chastised Howard for having a neo-colonial Pacific policy, and in the same breath, said we should be consult more with the French about our region.

My previous should read:

My favourite Rudd moment was when he chastised Howard for having a neo-colonial Pacific policy, and in the same breath, said we should consult more with the French about our region.

PIMF.

Hey Pauly, I have to agree that there's not much charisma generally among Aussie politicians.

My test is this: if you can ask them who they've been rooting lately, and you get a laugh and a response, then they're my kind of leader. I once had this sort of discussion with Bob Hawke. I can't imagine it with Kev Rudd, who is probably dickless anyway.

Rudd could improve his image by getting some new spectacle frames. He looks so like Harry Potter I often break up when I see him on TV. And sooo earnest!

Rudd doesn't know when to shut up. He's always ready with a smart-arsed comment.

I remember Neil Mitchell (talkback radio host in Melbourne) inviting Rudd to attempt to be bi-partisan in a discussion with Alexander Downer (Federal Foreign Affairs Minister) on terrorism, Iraq etc.

He literally couldn't finish his first sentence without a smart-arsed remark. Lost me forever then. Turd.

Rudd is to the Labor Party what Kerry was to the Democrats (and Jim Hacker was to his party) - a compromise candidate, completely devoid of a driving passion or core beliefs. That might work for him, I don't know.

Holly, I agree although I still get a mental image of Martin from the Simpsons
every time I see him on TV!

Phuck me, who hasn't phatty endorsed as ALP leader? Wasn't he endorsing John Faulkner a few weeks ago?

Ruddy ... reminiscent of Downer. Remember that classic of Keating v Downer: still gets the occassional TV airing. Could be entertaining theatre if Abbott has a go at him ...
Looks/acts like the stereotypical public servant ... luv to see the women's vote!

phillips a dude all his brain dead predjudices help the cause. hey phillip we would really like to read another article about your hobby farm you boring idiot (not).

rudd is an insufferable thunderbird puppet