Reasons you will hate me

so.fucking.excited.

If they double team the cunniving bastard this might just work.

Please, no kim bashing. The man has had a truly, truly horrendous day (lost leadership and his brother).

I would considering putting my hand up for a job in Canberra in 12 months (if all goes according to 'the plan'). Would you?

What kind of job, underwhelming? You mean like Treasurer and stuff? Sure, I'd give that a crack. Numbers are pretty.

1.
Thank fuck the leader who lost so many elections is gone.

2.
Jesus. What a fucked day for Kimbo. The leadership and his brother.

Yeah, it's hard to feel too much glee when KB's pain must be so gargantuan. Poor fucker.

This is where it gets VERY interesting...

The new leadership can NOT put a foot wrong between now and the election.

Also... The campaigning starts NOW.

Normally, I'd say vote ALP, Greens or lefty independents - whatever floats your lefty boat - but this election, we need to stick together. ALL lefties on board the ALP wagon please.

ps aren't you at least keeping an eye on the test too?

ps go kev and jules!

Personally I would have prefered to see Jules up front and Kev pulling the caboose, but that's just because I'd love a bloodnut PM in glasses.

I have to say I feel a little guilty now for wishing the Bomber ill, but check out this quote from Howard.

"We were opponents when he was in government and I was in opposition and we've been opponents for long years while we've been in government."

Long years ! The little twat can't resist trying to get one in even when he's trying to be magnanimous.

Bring on next year, it's good to feel like there's finally a hint of a chance that someone might beat the prick.

Sometimes they hire people to, you know, advise them on 'stuff'.

Maybe speechwriter?

Although I am pleased for the party, I must say how sorry I feel for Kim today.
Now please answer the other important question...was it a strip or all off :-)
Cheers Sly in PNG

I am planning my 'It's Time' party, I am back on the ALP wagon! Yeah.

Yeah! How exciting is this?! Why did it take them so long to vote in a purse-lipped Christian with no ministerial experience who is disliked by the entire caucaus except for an anti-abortion zealot from the NSW right?
I mean I thought this was a party dedicated to losing and losing fast.
And why not select a deputy is who not only disliked but hated by all the caucaus and half the union movement too?
What took them so long?

What? How could I possibly have missed this?

...oh yes, by falling asleep on the couch at 9am and only getting up to check out blogs.

Oh please please please make this all work. I'm glad about the change, but isn't Rudd still supposed to be of the somewhat right-leaning left? So I still have my reservations...

The Rudd-religion thing worries me. religion seems to be creeping ever further into oz politics. If we're not careful, it'll bite us. Like a moral-crusading attack dog. With a studded collar.

I would have gloated, but the photo of a grieving Kimbo on The Age website has quite taken the wind out of my sails. The poor bastard.

It is a bit harsh isn't it? As if his day wasn't hard enough already.

Perhaps if Julia had remembered to put some fruit in her bowl prior to having a journalist come round to do a piece on the state of her kitchen, she could have been numero uno today. But it will happen! She is GREAT. Did you see her saying how she is "harbouring a Neil Diamond greatest hits" on that FUCKING OFFENSIVE Myf Warhurst show last night? In the meantime I do support Kevin Rudd featuring Julia G, and look forward to their inevitable "first release".

This is one from the archives.

In 1989 a Bulletin cover (or maybe it was an Australian Time mag cover) read 'Would You Vote For This Man?' and a pic of Howard with 19% against his name.

I am not making inferences I am just giving some historical perspective.

I have been saying exactly the same thing to people who are calling K-Rud a speccy twat from dullsville, Litahnee. JWH was hardly brimming over with charisma when he and his eyebrows were allowed to sit in the big man's chair.

I am particularly pleased in how Gillard and Rudd have stood side by side in this bid. The demonstration that they are operating as a team is a strong signal to the country and only highlights her significance in the party and to those that thought she was more suitable for the #1 job.

And this ain't NZ, folks. Clarkey got through as a female leader but I am hesistant to suggust that Australia would vote that way for a while. As sexist as it is.

This has been played out beautifully and I can only hope this type of measured behaviour takes them through to the polls next year. Let’s hope they don’t fuck it up like they did with the forestry mess last election.

As for the Beaz, having his dream and his brother both die in the same day is entirely unkind. Go buy yourself a lotto ticket, Kim.

BRING IT.

"Normally, I'd say vote ALP, Greens or lefty independents - whatever floats your lefty boat - but this election, we need to stick together. ALL lefties on board the ALP wagon please."

Beg yours?

*fumes*

Why shouldn't lefties vote 1 Greens 2 ALP? That way the ALP gets its win against Howard, and lefties get some lefty MPs who aren't beholden to the NSW Labor Right.

And, much as I prefer K-Rudd to the Joe de Bruyn-endorsed K-Beaz and of course the diabolical J-Ho, still we saw the weekend before last just what the ALP thinks "sticking together" with lefties means and it can go **** ****** * ****** ** ** **** * ****** if it thinks we're just going to automatically jump on board just because it's had a change of leader. **** ***.

You are quite right. He was no Fonz.

If you have enough ambition and you don't mind people sending you up (especially if you declare yourself a cricket tragic and proceed to display that you can't bowl or throw), then fighting for political leadership is your true game.

By the way that pic of Howard is HILARIOUS. Without any political bias or hatred or love or anything towards the poorest cricketer this country has produced, he just looks frickin' hilarious.

HOORAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!







about rudd's victory, not your nether-wax.

although mazal tov to you all the same.

Following the ALP is like following the Socceroos- yet another tragedy.

Kruddy has been in good form attacking Hayek and neoliberal thinking recently. But, like the secret wombat, his religious leanings are a bit worrying.

and oh yeah... he's a cardigan wearing socially conservative nerd-burger.

The fact that so many lefty's are excited about Rudd getting up is tordays disturbing development.

Mark me down for 'sick of ALP leaders only ever coming from the right'.

There's no actual proof that Helen Clarke is a sheila.
it's not like athletics where they test you for that.

I'm disturbed by this development. I don't see Rudd or Gillard as appealing to swinging voters any more than Beazley. And Rudd is hardly an attack dog. Unless the economy takes a tumble, he'll lose to Howard. The unelectable Gillard will then get what she wants - the leadership - and lose to Costello. The ALP have just secured another 10 years in the wilderness if they stick with this pair.

Hello Timboy, I too was concerned about K-Rudd’s Anglican Christian leanings but one of my theologian sources told me today that Rudd’s beliefs are leaning more towards Christian socialism and focus on some of the egalitarian and anti-establishment messages of Christianity and living by the true message of Jesus. i.e. Love they neighbour ESPECIALLY if they are poor and Muslim.

Rudd is in step with liberationist theology which as my source tell me “…are awesome guys because they see social justice, human rights and poverty as God’s work” which is in direct contrast to Howard’s God where money and privilege are seen as the way of the Lord.

Liberation theology and the second vatican council comes to the Labor party- I guess that's good as far as religiosity is concerned.

I'm generally for that- but I'm not sure that's how Rudd has described his own beliefs. He probably would say that he holds liberation tehology style beliefs because that would put him in opposition to evangelical Christian conservatives.

But Ukulele, Don't you worry that he's just posturing himself- like all of his recent Hayek bashing? Is he just creating a public image? Does he really believe what he's putting out in the public realm?

I have concerns about his sincerity.

Will be interesting to see how he develops his public persona in the coming months. Hopefully he doesn't make a hash of it like Latham's 'Westy made good' routine.

BTW, just read 'The Fight' by Martin Flanagan and Tom Uren. Uren is a huge Pope John XXIII fan.

I hope ukulele is right. Being lazy and unoriginal, I'll paste a paragraph from a friend's email on this topic:

"As for the ALP - i like the Rudd-Gillard thing. I think Aussies are WAY too conservative to vote for a female PM at the moment, whereas Rudd as a grey-haired Christian may well be able to take Howard on in his own backyard. As a team, i think they could be solid - appealing to different demographics, which together could make them a force to be reckoned with. As you say, i always worry about god-botherers, but he seems like enough of an intellectual to respect the state vs. religion divide. I would like to think he is principled enough to not use religion manipulatively like Howard does.

(I meant that my friend wrote that paragraph, not me. I am not a crook.)

Bring it, Ruddy... i'm PUMPED for this election now!

A tough day for Kim and his family my empathy to them.

But sorry I’m not holding my breath for a Labor victory.

Certainly today brings the chance for Change and I will be taking a little more interest in Politics again after the most boring of times with the John and Kim show.

So here’s for some fun and controversy and hopefully a big surprise kick up John’s legend in his own life time arse! (He won’t risk defeat in another election- better to go out undefeated! With his EGO as big as possible!)

My on going sadness is it's 2006 and Australia who gave women the vote first (Don’t Norway and Iceland make this claim too?) have not embraced a woman Prime Minister yet, it’s a mystery to me when you consider Maggie, Clarky, women leaders in Indo,Philippines, Pakistan, India, Israel etc
Something’s not right here folks!?

Rudd's religious slant is more of a concern then Johnnie’s pretendo Christian values; clearly the man has no values that I can see! I don’t think Blood Nut would align with Rudd at the expense of a Women’s Right's/to choose abortion etc, nor does he have the power base or popularity to railroad the core values of the Labor Party and or the Australian Public. No he is more likely to upset those on the left with his lack of imagination and too conservative stand, mean while he will be constantly courting the Labor right. But he could certainly appeal more to the Swing voters with religious concerns and family values that aren’t quite into the hard line Greedy Big Business Liberal Bed and IR changes that affect many of the struggling conservative Christians vote.

I can’t help look at Rudd and Howard and ask what is the real difference here?

As for Costello; has a Treasurer ever gone on to lead a party to election success? John Howard had the sense not to try and Keating failed in his own disgrace and disappointment and has been hiding his face ever since.

So I predict a Turnbull – Julie Bishop team to lead the Libs; if they have the common sense to dump Costello!

Now that would be an interesting face off!
What say you Ms F and fellow readers?
All comments welcome. Signed frankly speaking

I am pleased that Rudd/Gillard combo have made it through. But poor old Kimbo! Quelle day!

I'm not so worried about Rudd's religious values. He's no Tony Abbott.

But what I do worry about is how soon bloody Howard is going to manufacture another scare mongering moral panic. Another Tampa, another Kids Overboard. I just hope that there's not another Bali bombing for him to make bloody opportunistic hay from. (Grammar's gone to shit!)

I hope Kevin Rudd makes a BIG DEAL about getting David Hicks home. It's about someone stood up and made noise for him.

TIME! It's about TIME!

(never employ me as an editor)

Meva, are you correcting your typo or offering a recycled slogan for the ALP. I think it works -- especially with desperation-signifying capitals and exclamation marks. I'd go with "IT IS REALLY..FUCKING...TIME, PEOPLE! Please."

Couldn't they just use "Time, Gentlemen, Please"

It's interesting, it's all about "they". They don't get elected, you lot elect them, and all the nay saying won't help.

The real question is this: Will Rudd and Gillard be better for most people than Abbott & Costello?

If the answer you come up with is "Yes" then you must do everything in your power to ensure they win.

And I don't just mean vote for them. That's not enough.

Are they getting married?

She's cute but why'd she pick a ginger?

i never understood why the public and the ALP turned on Beazley so viciously. personally, i don't like Rudd at all and i'm extremely unhappy with the result - but i shall still be voting ALP as you've got to think of the party. i just can't help thinking Beazley would have been a fine PM - i honestly thought if he just got to sit in the big chair he'd reveal his leadership smarts. Kim Beazley as a person is light years ahead of Howard - but in some ways that was always his downfall - he was too human to be a politician.

I think Rudd's christianity is far more sincerely held that Howard's. This is from an opinion piece a month ago:

"Christians should adopt an ethically informed and rationally engaged critique of all political parties and all politicians. Bonhoeffer argued that the function of the church, within a constant ethical framework, is fearlessly to speak the truth to the state however politically uncomfortable that may make the state feel on any given day.

What, for example, is a Christian view on the impact of the Americanisation of our industrial relations system on family living standards and family life? What is a Christian view of global climate change, given Christian teachings on the proper stewardship of creation? And what is a Christian view of asylum seekers in the tradition of the parable of the Good Samaritan?"
http://www.smh.com.au/news/opinion/its-time-to-fight-for-the-true-christian-principle/2006/10/03/1159641321957.html?page=2

So perhaps he is a christian with half-decent priorities...

And in case you are wondering, Rudd voted for control of RU486 to be given to the Therapeutic Goods Administration (out of the hot little hands of Abbott), but wanted to be clear that he was still very keen on "the unborn":

"KEVIN RUDD: For me and for the reasons I have outlined, the life of the unborn is of great importance. And having tested these reasons with men and women of faith, and men and women of science, that I've decided not to oppose this bill. "

Is it just me, or does "the night of the living unborn" sound like a good horror movie waiting to happen?

Could everyone just calm the fuck down? Please?

Why is Kruddy any more electable than Beazer? It was never so much about the opposition leader as about the state of the nation. While we continue relaxed and comfortable, there won't be a change of government. As shown with the recent run of the Bracks 'n' Teddy show. And with Beattie, and with Iemma.

On the other hand, should interest rates skyrocket and the markets plummet...

See, I'm just worried that (the most wonderful) Jules Gillard is going premature. If they lose this she'll be tarred with unelectable brush - there's still plenty of mud left on that despite Beazer's big torso. She needs a ten-year plan, cosying up with the right people: Shorten, Combet, Big-Nuts Garrett. Even Rose Jackson. That'd be a fair one-two.

But I hope I'm wrong.

Hi Timboy,. Yes, I absolutely worry about the posturing and the thinly veiled alignment with the social views of the Christian right. I always doubt those in public life and who they project as is the real person but I have to give Rudd credit where it is due with his willingness for transparency and his provision of disclosure about his personal faith. So far so good and all I can do is hold faith that he wont fuck it up.

Sjusju draws on the Bonhoeffer influence in Rudd’s politics which I feel could hold meaning in understanding the meshing of Christianity and politics with Rudd’s ALP.

Last nights Lateline transcript:

KERRY O’BRIEN: You recently wrote a long essay in the Monthly magazine on religion and politics in which you identified a little known German theologian named Dietrich Bonhoeffer as the man you most admire in the history of the 20th century. Very briefly, why?

KEVIN RUDD: Bonhoeffer was a German patriot who did the right thing in the difficult reign of the Nazis in Germany. He stood up against the regime, he obeyed his conscience, he did that which was uncomfortable. That’s it in a nutshell. When you look at those sort of people in history and you look at what they did when it was easier to do other things, you cannot help but be inspired by them. There are many others from a non church background who have done similar inspiring things but Bonhoeffer has been a particular inspiration in my life.

From what little I know of Bonhoeffer, he led a resistance movement against the Nazi regime and directly opposed anti-Semitic policies and attempted to overthrow the National Socialism management of the Third Reich. Sticking his neck out eventually saw him hung but his as far as influences are concerned, Bonhoeffer is a pretty fucking solid one.

Favourite Rudd Post yet.

'Cept mine, 'course.

Phillip Adams has also talked up the Bonhoeffer influence today.

It sure does beat John 'My political heroes are Ronald Reagan and Margaret Thatcher' Howard.

I guess the challenge for the left of the party will be to hold Rudd to the Christian-Socialist end of the religious spectrum.

Okay, you people have made me less suspicious (who needs real news when one has RYWHM?) of Rudd's Christianity* - heck, if he is more of a social welfare Christian then he might single handedly rescue the entire faith from looking like only abbots with rosaries for brains "have faith".

And also, how could you ever be upset at a man who would be a shoe-in for lead actor in the year's third Capote film, were one made?

*Never before in my life have I been as suspicious of "Christianity" (as if it's a monolithic whole) as in Australia. How is it that the Nordics manage to have relatively high church membership (though admittedly not attendance) while still supporting gay rights, having no fuss about abortion, electing female presidents and providing egalitarian, free education?

If a Finn or a Swede says they're Christian (of course they wouldn't: they'd say "Lutheran") you'd still feel quite secure talking up Harry Potter, mentioning you're an unmarried mother, your sister's a pagan and your brother's gay - oh and global warming bad, civil liberties good.

An Australian mentions the C-word and I suddenly suspect their "family values" are in direct contrast to mine...

Sure, my prejudices may not be entirely accurate or fair to all Aussie believers, but it does concern me that here an entire faith system has been hijacked to mean something it really doesn't.

ooh la la! see what happens when i go on a little trip to melbourne! the beeeezzzzz snoozes, and big kev takes to the stand!

nice.

ps_ sorry i missed you saturday night at abode ms. fits, realised after i left i had no way to contact you.. was staying in a house with no internet.. *gasp*. next time. it was a good night out though.. black tutu's have never felt so good.

It just amazes me how out of hand things can get sometimes. Really, what are people thinking these days?!? I think we all need to take a step back and also a big breath...
Matt

As an expat Aussie with precious little internet access and a low tolerance for boredom, I am now getting all my news of Australian politics from your blog. Step up, Fits. Also: Rudd/Gillard? Spiffing.

Thanks Mr Lefty, my sentiments exactly.
It's called a preferential voting system, people.

It's still good news, though. Despite Rudd being from the Right and being strongly supportive of uranium industry expansion and strongly opposed to abortion and generally having NO LEFT CRED WHATSOEVER, I still like him and I will vote ALP before Liberal, again.

JULIA GILLARD: "I don't think when people see Howard and Costello standing next to each other they immediately think that they've been match-maked by some TV reality show. So just because Kevin's a bloke and I'm a sheila I don't think people should be assuming that either."

I think the nation's most powerful woman calling herself 'a sheila' is actually quite cute.