As Australia moves closer to election day it is becoming more apparent that Labor leader Kevin Rudd will defeat current Prime Minster John Howard, probably by a big margin. The question is why? Why will they will dump one of their most popular Prime Minsters for many years.
The answer, while sounding simplistic, involves in depth psychology. The very fact that John Howard is so popular is also going to be his downfall. Kevin Rudd has one very strong thing going for him – he looks, sounds and acts like John Howard. He looks like a father or grandfather (not that he is that old) – he is confident and compelling in front of the media without looking arrogant – finally, he is down to earth, your regular everyday ‘aussie’.
John Howard on the other hand has become arrogant. Gone are the days when he looked like reliable father/grandfather. He now looks desperate that desperation is showing as arrogance. Some of the legislation that has hurt workers over the last 12 month is also starting to sting – particularly when he insists that no-one has been hurt.
Finally everyone knows that he is not in it for the long haul – he has stated that he will quit after about 12 months and the job over to his deputy, Peter Costello, who is not particularly well likes. For John Howard and the Australian Liberals, it looks like it is going to be their turn on the opposition benches – probably for quite a while.
I hope Johnny dosen’t loose! He’s been a good Prime minister and Rudd is such a pompous arse.