Kevin Rudd is at least right about one thing! The leadership saga in Labor Party is like a daytime soap opera! With characters getting assassinated (as he was in 2010) then returning as a new character (as he was as Foreign Minister) & then later being exposed as the reincarnation of the original assassinated character! (as he is now trying to come back as)
Michelle Grattan, in her latest article in The Age, describes the situation facing Australia & the Labor Party are facing in this ego driven political circus better than any other journalist familiar with the saga"
"Kevin Rudd says he can win the voters, she can’t. Julia Gillard says she runs a functional government, and his was shambolic. Both are right. Caucus members face an invidious choice. Whatever they do — and at this point they are expected to re-elect Gillard — it will be a disaster. In less than five years, thanks mainly to two leaders who have been bad in very different ways, this Labor government has become almost as discredited as the Whitlam one all those years ago."
(Michelle Grattan's full article on: http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/politics/unsavoury-way-to-sort-out-a-feud-20120223-1tqnq.html#ixzz1nInddB00)
(Michelle Grattan's full article on: http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/politics/unsavoury-way-to-sort-out-a-feud-20120223-1tqnq.html#ixzz1nInddB00)
For those of us who are interested in politics, the sentimental fascination of voters with Kevin Rudd remains a mystery! It is widely acknowledged that he was an egotistic, micromanaging, temperamental non consultative PM who surrounded himself with a bunch of 30 year old advisors who helped create a truly shambolic administration. At the same time, his latest tilt can be rightly described as selfish, ego driven & vindictive. Whilst Rudd's attitude towards Gillard & his faceless assassins is considered a normality in the vicious world of politics, he is driven by revenge & his actions may totally annihilate the Labor Party. And that is considered a totally unacceptable & treacherous act in the world of party politics. And yet, the voters seem to trust Rudd!
At the same time, Gillard, who has tirelessly led a difficult minority government & is described as a much more inclusive PM, has utterly failed to cement any lasting impression in the minds of the voters or win their trust. This has resulted in an apparent lack of legitimacy or competence in the eyes of the voters! Adding to this, the carbon tax saga has lost Gillard her credibility & as a result voters intensely dislike Gillard!
And hence the soap opera come circus keeps getting rolling on! Whilst Gillard will almost definitely win the leadership ballot, the soap opera will also almost definitely continue!
The fragile economy, the Australian public & the Labor Party will be the ultimate losers at the end......& no matter who wins the contest, neither Gillard nor Rudd will be long term winners as they will both be indelibly tarnished!
