I too wonder about factions in the Libs. Abbott has been an effective leader in opposition, but a PM? Can the Libs really contemplate another three years in opposition while their assured election winner sits twiddling his thumbs in the shadow communication portfolio?
If Rudd has "learned", and I doubt he has, surely Turnbull has too. And of all the contenders and pretenders staking their claims to the top job, Turnbull seems to be the only one with the stature to rescue Australia from the bickering mediocrity it has descended into.

Did Mr Winter have any role in advising the former coaches of the Australian rugby union or cricket teams?

What really worries me is that too may voters are voting for the "like" reason, we don't have to "like" everyone, but what we expect from each leader is that they do their "job". Tony Abbott is the Opposition Leader and Kevin Rudd is the Prime Minister.
Each time Kevin Rudd or his Ministers are asked a question they raise the question or mention "What would the opposition do". Its not the opposition's place to govern that is what the Labor government should be doing. It's time that Rudd got out of his car, plane, or shopping centres and back into governing the country and not issuing un-thought out ideas which will probably never see the light of day.
The whole country is waiting.

This article is missing the point. After 6 yrs of horrendously poor leadership marked by machiavellian plots, bizarre decision making and Labor party internal conflicts which have almost brought the nation to a standstill why would anyone be afraid of Abbott?

Its a classic example of how people whitewash to failings of the Left and exaggerate those of the Right.

Aggression? Who is more aggressive than Gillard or Rudd?? Theirs was a disguised aggression subtly plotting and planning behind each others backs.

Arrogance?. Neither Rudd nor Gillard took advice from anyone!

Inability to connect? He connected enough to almost win the last election.

The author is putting too much emphasis on the presentation and voter appeal and not substance.

After two disastrous Labor leaders who is not in for a change? Can he be worse? I don't think so.

A vote for Rudd is looking better with each passing day.

I'd add to Abbott's downsides his record when in Government against particular women:

- Howard knew of slush fund to target Hanson http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2003/08/26/1061663793191.html

and women generally

- Abbott was involved in controversy in 2006 for opposing access to the abortion drug RU486, and the Parliament voted to strip Health Ministers of the power to regulate this area of policy.

Does Abbott share Putin's Il Duce* character or just hold himself like Putin?

* http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Il_Duce

Abbott's a morally & intellectually bankrupt throwback - a desperate, hysteria-mongering, habitually dishonest, arrogant megalomaniac.

The rest of the Liberal party is little better.

Team Abbott represents the worst & most radically Right-wing and politically atavistic pack of narcissistic, anti-democratic, neoconservative corporatist plutocrats to have ever emerged from a major party.

If the Liberals get in again they will resume & accelerate the program Howard was kicked out for pulling.

They have learnt nothing and if Australia elects him - either has the country.