Monday, October 22, 2007

Rudd versus Howard: The Debate Reconsidered

So that was an interesting experience. It was good this morning having a record of my thought process as I went back and read all the coverage. More thoughts on the debate:

Kevin Rudd kicks

He was sharp, he was mostly positive, he was occasionally jovial, he had a good grasp of finer policy detail, and he didn't allow himself to be derailed by any of Howard's sniping. Most surprisingly, he sounded downright left-wing at times, and the sky didn't fall or anything. I was nervous before the debate, because it seemed like a good chance for some of the Rudd gloss to come off, if he wasn't fully prepared. But Rudd did his homework, like any good schoolboy debater. I am both relieved and impressed.

John Howard has moved left out of desperation

If it turns out Kevin Rudd doesn't get himself elected PM this time around, he will at least have succeeded in forcing Howard to drop the ideological neocon routine in a last-ditch attempt to save his behind. Reconciliation? A national emissions trading scheme? Workers' rights? Recognising the Pakistani Muslim victims of a suicide bombing? Can anyone imagine this happening three years ago? Granted, Rudd spent quite a bit of time defending his credentials as an "economic conservative", but it's striking how much of the policy agenda was Labor's, and how much softer Howard's rhetoric is this time around, his tired-but-forceful anti-unionism notwithstanding.

Paul Kelly is tough

Jeez man, Kevin Rudd is not the one to have fallen desperately behind on climate change. Lighten the hell up! Kevin said he will have his interim targets by June. That's downright rushed for him. Besides, Howard only came around to accepting climate change as an important policy issue this year.

Peter Hartcher is thoughtful

We knew that already. He seemed a bit nervous, but his questions were probably the best-considered, for my money.

Taking on the Worm is one of the worst things Howard could do

Seriously, when the incumbent conservative government manages to get the Nine Network - of all channels! - offside, you have to wonder where their heads are at. The Worm clearly displayed Rudd favouritism, but cutting off Channel Nine's feed was just spiteful. And letting Ray Martin grandstand about free speech is not the kind of distraction Howard needs right now.

There are lots of people with girl-crushes on Annabel Crabb

See Larvatus Prodeo's live-blog

Australians can debate like grownups, occasionally

Okay, there was probably more macroeconomic policy than anyone really needed, but here are some things that never got a mention last night: abortion, gay people, God, the French, stem cell research, clashes of civilisations, torture, bombing Iran. The death penalty came up, but only in the context of how best to make Australia's feelings on it known overseas. There was no Australian flag in sight. The jostling over the OECD report on education funding was the silliest it got, and even that was more like a quibble between two feuding academics than a truly personal stoush. Sometimes I am very grateful to live here.

29 comments:

Diego Luego said...

So "Australians can debate like grownups, occasionally....
.....sometimes I am very grateful to live here."

Let's revisit this statement if,(although decreasingly likely) JWH gets back into power.

Lucy said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Lucy said...

er, let's try that again. I did say "occasionally", and "sometimes". Obviously the reelection of JWH would not be one of those times.

Aren't you at least grateful about the flags though?

l9ms said...

I thought they were both pretty sucky... Rudd clearly won though. He beat Howard on those critical points - Costello, economy (which was a bit of a surprise, but he tied it into education: good move) and WorkChoices. Rudd failed a little on the climate change issue, but overall he was the better man.

Anonymous said...

Who knows where to download XRumer 5.0 Palladium?
Help, please. All recommend this program to effectively advertise on the Internet, this is the best program!

Anonymous said...

Generic zithromax 50mg zyban Cheap apcalis sx oral jelly orange flavor Now clarina Discount lunesta Discount finasteride

Anonymous said...

boston singles events [url=http://loveepicentre.com/]singles wiccan pagan[/url] spiritual singles http://loveepicentre.com/ misty river dating ontario

Anonymous said...

recovery time for breast agmentation [url=http://usadrugstoretoday.com/products/diclofenac-gel.htm]diclofenac gel[/url] depression resources in klamath falls oregon http://usadrugstoretoday.com/products/rogaine-2-.htm bear medicine meditaton http://usadrugstoretoday.com/products/brand-viagra.htm
restless leg syndrome statistics [url=http://usadrugstoretoday.com/products/shuddha-guggulu.htm]shuddha guggulu[/url] side effects cialis [url=http://usadrugstoretoday.com/products/allegra.htm]medical ink[/url]

Anonymous said...

http://www.nerd-it.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=58094 http://www.projectlifecycles.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=356417 http://hobbit-here.com/karatemonkeys/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=147107 http://blind-justice.net/forum/viewtopic.php?p=129129#129129
http://www.ivyenglish.com.cn/bbs/viewtopic.php?f=15&t=31040 http://phpsites1.internaldev.com/nchw/forum/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=376069 http://fev.cool.ne.jp/Habo/apeboard.cgi?command=read_message&msgnum=24 http://www.top4soft.com/viewtopic.php?f=26&t=28552
http://www.eonmckai.com/board/viewtopic.php?p=12254#12254 http://www.konnekt.info/forum/index.php?showtopic=51168 http://www.karmaultimate.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=35742

Anonymous said...

chanel earrings http://topcitystyle.com/fred-mello-men-brand105.html international fashion schools [url=http://topcitystyle.com/50-jackets-amp-sweatshirts-size2.html]lauren sliger[/url] russian female fashion model
http://topcitystyle.com/gaastra-men-brand108.html cum on clothes [url=http://topcitystyle.com/underwear-new-category35.html]shoes seventeen magazine[/url]

Anonymous said...

travel tooth brush with batteries http://adventurecollection.in/inn/hilton-garden-inn-charlotte-nc probation travel permit
[url=http://adventurecollection.in/plane-tickets/plane-tickets-from-ghana-to-dia]first battle warship to travel around the world[/url] cheap travel from philadelphia to new york [url=http://adventurecollection.in/motel/review-terrace-motel-wellsboro-pa]review terrace motel wellsboro pa[/url]
best time to travel to ca http://adventurecollection.in/cruises/holland-america-cruises-trips-ashore
[url=http://adventurecollection.in/airline/mai-airline]london underground trains travel mph[/url] italy escorted travel [url=http://adventurecollection.in/travel/travel-seat-tmosphere-by-chicco]travel seat tmosphere by chicco[/url]
mennotrip travel agency http://adventurecollection.in/map/arrow-map travel inn scotland [url=http://adventurecollection.in/motel/everglades-city-motel]everglades city motel[/url]

Anonymous said...

adult ear infection with pain in teeth http://planetofporn.in/adult-stories/adult-only-clothing-optional-resorts
[url=http://planetofporn.in/ass-sex/petite-ass-galleries]english porn dvds[/url] switzerland trading synthetic lubricants oils [url=http://planetofporn.in/ass-sex]ass sex[/url]
hentai central http://planetofporn.in/erotic-stories/classic-erotic-porn
[url=http://planetofporn.in/archive-adult/free-adult-interaccial-porn]full free hentai key games[/url] does anal itching equal colon cancer [url=http://planetofporn.in/bondage/amanda-in-sock-first-time-bondage-thumbnail]amanda in sock first time bondage thumbnail[/url]
adult circumcision techni http://planetofporn.in/fetish/labial-injections-fetish
[url=http://planetofporn.in/adult-xxx/free-adult-comics-online]west palm beach dildo training[/url] the rossman adult learning inventory rali review [url=http://planetofporn.in/adult-movie/adult-storyline-films]adult storyline films[/url]
old moms anal http://planetofporn.in/girl-anal/she-takes-anal
[url=http://planetofporn.in/condom/dildo-orgasim]go cart clutch lubricant[/url] flash free game hentai xxx [url=http://planetofporn.in/ass-video/jeans-and-ass-and-teen]jeans and ass and teen[/url]

Anonymous said...

the hardships of sasahara porn mag http://theporncollection.in/lesbian-porn/beauty-lesbian-only-download-free-video
[url=http://theporncollection.in/gay-movie/the-office-gay-witch-hunt]hentai one peice[/url] anal movie lolita young teen [url=http://theporncollection.in/gay-porn/rob-steel-gay-porn]rob steel gay porn[/url]
solo anal http://theporncollection.in/free-hentai/running-wiz-hentai
[url=http://theporncollection.in/porn-girl/asian-porn-star-free-clips]anal sex store[/url] home footage porn [url=http://theporncollection.in/masturbating/masturbating-with-shower]masturbating with shower[/url]
big black cock blond anal http://theporncollection.in/gay-xxx/gay-male-porn-and-free
[url=http://theporncollection.in/gay-love/gay-dvd-on-sexual-saline-sacral-infusion]yuri and friends hentai[/url] cheapest virgin mobile wildcard [url=http://theporncollection.in/mature-xxx/sex-mature-gays-comics]sex mature gays comics[/url]
amateur shy http://theporncollection.in/gay-boy/free-gay-jizz
[url=http://theporncollection.in/mature-xxx/mature-lesbian-stories]femdom sexy robes[/url] rob lowe porn tape [url=http://theporncollection.in/gay-porn/gay-desktop-wallpaper-xxx]gay desktop wallpaper xxx[/url]

Anonymous said...

free adult videos and games http://xwe.in/nylon/clay-throwing-nylon-rib
[url=http://xwe.in/ass-sex/ass-games]tegan and sara porn[/url] sexy hunk galliries [url=http://xwe.in/blowjob/underage-blowjob]underage blowjob[/url]
green hentai fucked http://xwe.in/ass-sex/best-ass-in-the-net
[url=http://xwe.in/adult-video/adult-footed-pajamas]david sea sexy love[/url] indian girls porn videos [url=http://xwe.in/archive-adult/adult-pajamas-drop-seat-flap]adult pajamas drop seat flap[/url]
dildo camera http://xwe.in/toon/toon-fuck-galleries-king-of-the-hill
[url=http://xwe.in/nylon/nylon-rainwear]adult standard poodle female for sale[/url] ram and dildo stories [url=http://xwe.in/orgy/orgy-sex-free-videos]orgy sex free videos[/url]
adult seo http://xwe.in/toon/toon-models
[url=http://xwe.in/orgasm/mpg-incredible-orgasm-blowjob]how many teeth does a healthy adult have[/url] download rss porn [url=http://xwe.in/toon/toon-boom-studio-movies]toon boom studio movies[/url]

Anonymous said...

bloodrayne movie download [url=http://full-length-movies.com/dvd-quality-movie-persona-non-grata/6755database/]Persona Non Grata[/url] movie place [url=http://worldmovs.co.cc/full_version-sigo-como-dios/17387database/]Sigo Como Dios[/url]
edwards boise movie [url=http://full-length-movies.com/dvd-quality-movie-kieslowski---a-short-film-about-killing/14293database/]Kieslowski - A Short Film About Killing[/url] download porn movie free [url=http://worldmovs.co.cc/full_version-tintin---el-tesoro-de-rackham-el-rojo/13850database/]Tintin - El Tesoro De Rackham El Rojo[/url]
movie taboo trailer [url=http://full-length-movies.com/dvd-quality-movie-jumper/12359database/]Jumper[/url] download porn divx movie [url=http://worldmovs.co.cc/full_version-21/2887database/]21[/url]
purchase 1997 the van movie [url=http://worldmovs.co.cc/full_version-normal/64database/]Normal[/url] must love dogs movie [url=http://full-length-movies.com/dvd-quality-movie-american-gangster/3572database/]American Gangster[/url]

Anonymous said...

fashion belts http://luxefashion.us/36-casual-tops-size14.html fallen shoes [url=http://luxefashion.us/pink-white-on-sale-color80.html]yoga shoes[/url] professional interior designers in dublin
http://luxefashion.us/burberry-purse-for-women-brown-item83.html fashion dress up games [url=http://luxefashion.us/lilac-yellow-roberto-cavalli-color193.html]clothing designer robert[/url]

Anonymous said...

clogging tap shoes http://luxefashion.us/roberto-cavalli-women-stylish-tunic-decorated--item1947.html womens clothes catalogues [url=http://luxefashion.us/gucci-jackets-amp-sweatshirts-brand12.html]knockoff designer purses[/url] shoes to wear when walking dogs in snow
http://luxefashion.us/women-apos-s-long-sleeve-tops-versace-category21.html preteen fashion mags [url=http://luxefashion.us/philipp-plein-stretch-jeans-brand31.html]classified shoes[/url]

Anonymous said...

buy health insurance uk [url=http://usadrugstoretoday.com/products/albendazole.htm]albendazole[/url] how to reduce mineral content in drinking water http://usadrugstoretoday.com/products/ed-discount-pack-2.htm
new treatments for bipolar disorder [url=http://usadrugstoretoday.com/products/vitamin-c.htm]vitamin c[/url] safe blood graph [url=http://usadrugstoretoday.com/products/apcalis-sx.htm ]sleeping beauties [/url] muscle man for hire
liberty health net weight loss [url=http://usadrugstoretoday.com/categories/cardiovascular.htm]cardiovascular[/url] radioactive seeds prostate cancer http://usadrugstoretoday.com/categories/de-la-salud-de-la-mujer.htm
sonic disorder [url=http://usadrugstoretoday.com/products/septilin.htm]septilin[/url] blood houn gang [url=http://usadrugstoretoday.com/categories/gesunde-knochen.htm ]rehab for drug abuse [/url] verapamil and cialis

Anonymous said...

toddler harley davidson clothes http://luxefashion.us/l-hoodies-size7.html rocket dog shoes [url=http://luxefashion.us/43-gucci-size49.html]blend shoes[/url] spring fashions for little girls
http://luxefashion.us/dark-denim-blue-women-color165.html english interior designers [url=http://luxefashion.us/-scarfs-amp-hats-men-category58.html]spanish clothes[/url]

Anonymous said...

snowshoes http://luxefashion.us/shoes-dolce-amp-gabbana-type4.html apparel offer shoes accessories product applies outerwear painting orders keys [url=http://luxefashion.us/gucci-pants-brand12.html]truck brake shoes[/url] westminster fashion
http://luxefashion.us/pink-roberto-cavalli-color10.html duty on shoes entering englad from china [url=http://luxefashion.us/gucci-page6.html]old fashion baby names[/url]

Anonymous said...

money cars clothes hoes motherfuckin diamonds on my motherfuckin toes cracker gator shoes lyrics http://luxefashion.us/?action=products&product_id=1589 ralph lauren advertisments who are models [url=http://luxefashion.us/43-men-size49.html]wholesale shoes[/url] rapper shoes
http://luxefashion.us/green-white-women-color184.html chanel prescription eyeglasses [url=http://luxefashion.us/roberto-cavalli-page6.html]gucci plaid sneakers[/url]

Anonymous said...

ronbertmartin kleinwort http://topcitystyle.com/roberto-cavalli-on-sale-brand7.html greese fashion [url=http://topcitystyle.com/black-tunic-color2.html]revolutionary war fashion[/url] baseball truff shoes
http://topcitystyle.com/dolce-amp-gabbana-fitted-pullover-for-men-navy--item2528.html hampton ny interior designers [url=http://topcitystyle.com/-leggings-pants-type-women-category99.html]womens wide width shoes[/url]

Anonymous said...

blackjack vs blackberry http://xwn.in/keno_play-keno-not-gambling theme for the lottery
[url=http://xwn.in/baccarat_baccarat-chandelier]pari mutual betting live[/url] hospitals of regina home lottery [url=http://xwn.in/joker_joker-layouts]joker layouts[/url]
massachsetts lottery http://xwn.in/jokers_jokers-mummers-organization
[url=http://xwn.in/jokers_tattoes-of-jokers]crist seminole indians casinos[/url] sport books sports betting [url=http://xwn.in/jackpot_victory-jackpot-motorcycles-for-sale]victory jackpot motorcycles for sale[/url]
gambling casinos in new york http://xwn.in/jackpot_delta-downs-jackpot-finish northfork mono rancheria casino [url=http://xwn.in/joker_jolly-joker-face]jolly joker face[/url]

Anonymous said...

funky shoes http://topcitystyle.com/standard-armani-size21.html kleine robbe [url=http://topcitystyle.com/40-shorts-size27.html]traditional clothes from suriname[/url] zooey deschanel singer
http://topcitystyle.com/l-on-sale-size7.html hunting clothes catalogs [url=http://topcitystyle.com/on-sale-classic-denim-type2.html]schools fashion in south africa[/url]

Anonymous said...

http://xpv.in/ranitidine/sitewwwbiam2org-ranitidine
[url=http://xpv.in/cetirizine/keyword-cetirizine-baikalguide]drugs pearson agency chief police[/url] what are the ten most prescribed drugs [url=http://xpv.in/quetiapine/quetiapine-as-needed]quetiapine as needed[/url]
fish oil for erectile dysfunction http://xpv.in/cholesterol/zlatis-and-zak-cholesterol-estimation-methods
[url=http://xpv.in/quetiapine/quetiapine-and-sustained-release-and-dissolution]london drugs office 2007[/url] propecia pharmacy approved [url=http://xpv.in/raloxifene/evista-raloxifene-south-carolina]evista raloxifene south carolina[/url]
effects of non precription drugs http://xpv.in/celebrex/show-a-picture-of-celebrex
[url=http://xpv.in/anastrozole/semologie-hadji-anastrozole-anastrazole]proof that marijuana is a gateway drug[/url] courses at fresno city college for pharmacy technician [url=http://xpv.in/ramipril/ramipril-drug-cautions]ramipril drug cautions[/url] prilosec pharmacy online sale [url=http://xpv.in/doxycycline/doxycycline-news]doxycycline news[/url]

Anonymous said...

new jersey state police casino contact http://lwv.in/jokers/vietnam-helicopter-pilot-jokers armenia multiplayer blackjack tournament
[url=http://lwv.in/roulette/how-to-make-roulette-wheel-invitations]casino gambling in america and its economic impacts[/url] oregon lottery power ball [url=http://lwv.in/poker-online]poker online[/url]
casinos in vegas http://lwv.in/lottery/north-carolna-lottery
[url=http://lwv.in/jackpot/jackpot-casino-chips]tours to south beach casino winnipeg mb[/url] toy bingo machines [url=http://lwv.in/bingo/bingo-hiawassee-young-harris-hayesville]bingo hiawassee young harris hayesville[/url]
grand national ante post betting prices http://lwv.in/gambling-online/rehab-centers-for-gambling paris hotel casino [url=http://lwv.in/online-casino/casino-gabling-online]casino gabling online[/url]

Anonymous said...

low tolerance to noise due stress and anxiety [url=http://usadrugstoretoday.com/products/ed-strips.htm]ed strips[/url] new life health center http://usadrugstoretoday.com/products/vermox.htm mct health http://usadrugstoretoday.com/products/diabecon.htm
prostate massage vieos [url=http://usadrugstoretoday.com/categories/arreter-de-fumer.htm]arreter de fumer[/url] pyramid drug rehab [url=http://usadrugstoretoday.com/products/hytrin.htm]old fashion tea cake[/url]

Anonymous said...

transformers movie gallery [url=http://moviestrawberry.com/films/film_little_miss_marker/]little miss marker[/url] swearing and i need you more tonight movie http://moviestrawberry.com/hqmoviesbycountry/country_usa/?page=25 drivein movie theater in iowa
horney movie clips [url=http://moviestrawberry.com/films/film_jesus_camp/]jesus camp[/url] free mothers day movie http://moviestrawberry.com/films/film_existenz/ evan almighty movie
adult movie released [url=http://moviestrawberry.com/films/film_the_tracey_fragments/]the tracey fragments[/url] the big lebowski movie quotes
jack ass the movie 2 [url=http://moviestrawberry.com/films/film_alien_agent/]alien agent[/url] independent movie cinemas in victoria http://moviestrawberry.com/countries/?page=144 movie networks
movie review jeremiah johnson [url=http://moviestrawberry.com/films/film_imitation_of_life/]imitation of life[/url] animated movie backgrounds http://moviestrawberry.com/films/film_camille/ porn movie gallerys

Anonymous said...

simon rex sex movie [url=http://moviestrawberry.com/films/film_the_order_70/]the order 70[/url] movie about mad computer http://moviestrawberry.com/films/film_freaks_and_geeks/ movie nfo sites
download free simpsons the movie [url=http://moviestrawberry.com/films/film_beachhead/]beachhead[/url] movie sites http://moviestrawberry.com/films/film_change_of_habit/ radiance movie australia transcript
movie about army man killing family [url=http://moviestrawberry.com/films/film_scary_movie/]scary movie[/url] dna synthesis movie
horror movie coffin tarantulas [url=http://moviestrawberry.com/films/film_camille/]camille[/url] sweeney todd movie http://moviestrawberry.com/hqmoviesbycountry/country_norway/ anne of avonlea movie quotes
holy grail movie quotes [url=http://moviestrawberry.com/films/film_bronson/]bronson[/url] caligula movie http://moviestrawberry.com/films/film_the_godfather_part_ii/ double impact movie