The Public Perception of John Howard and Kevin Rudd in Modern Australia

Political views aside, if you are more of a libertarian conservative or of the left, judging how good they were at doing the job, Howard was good to very good, while Rudd was mediocre. As an aside, both were better than the current lot, but not as good as Hawke or Keating - who in my opinion are among the great prime ministers. Many would argue about Keating, but few would deny the greatness of Hawke.

Initial Goodwill and Erosion of Relationships

Howard and Rudd were initially good friends, but that relationship gradually eroded over time. Some thought they hated each other at the end, but Keating, when asked what he would do if he were invited over by Hawke for dinner, said, 'of course, I would go.' It was never to the point of personal hatred. Keating just believed Hawke lost his Mojo when his daughter had her problems, and Keating was correctly bitter about Hawke's broken promise regarding the position of Prime Minister. Politicians, during my lifetime, have faced significant decline in their approaches and effectiveness.

Comparing the Prime Ministers Since

Howard and Rudd were in the middle of this decline, with Howard being the better PM. Those who have come after them, in my opinion, are below par. Abbott let his conservative nature overpower him, proposing ideas that Australians had already long outgrown, such as Knighthoods. Turnbull, despite a genuinely towering intellect and ability, never understood what the average Australian wanted. He maintained a semblance of competence under the party's guidance, but eventually, his personal views surfaced, leading to incompetence.

The current prime minister is often described as a good man, charming in person, but potentially out of his depth as PM. Old-time politicians like Graham Richardson, who was a hard man on the political right during the Hawke/Keating years, argue that the current leader is far from their class in terms of political capability.

Prominent Politicians of Today

Barnaby Joyce is probably the best retail politician in Australia. While he would be out of his depth as Prime Minister, Matt Canavan is not far behind and may have what it takes to be PM. Jacinta Price delivered one of the best parliamentary speeches I have ever heard. Overall, the current leadership is rather dismal, often disconnected from 'real' Australia, focusing excessively on issues that the average Australian could not care less about. Harry Jenkins, a prominent political theorist, sees the current prime minister as potentially doomed, with Graham Richardson as the better option, given his proven political ability and directness.

Conclusion

While the current government has shortcomings, it is important to recognize the value of experienced politicians like Graham Richardson. His ability to call out BS and his proven political competence make him a formidable candidate. The current leadership, while well-intentioned, often fails to address the needs and concerns of the average Australian, highlighting the need for a leader who can effectively connect with the people and understand their issues.