The author has a point.

I think it would behoove the Howard-loathing brigade out there to remember that he represents not just himself, but a sizeable (until recently, a majority) portion of the Australian community, with whom his views and politics resonate. He did not arise out of a vacuum, he represents a very mainstream Australian viewpoint.

As has been said many times, we get the leaders we deserve...

Beneath the rather lame humour the author has a point, but it’s not confined to left-wing Howard-haters. One of the depressing features of political debate at present is the tendency of true believers in every camp to view their political opponents with a visceral, disproportionate, all-encompassing and self-righteous loathing. This is true both of Howard-haters than those who detested (and still detest) Keating; left-wing Bush-bashers and the right-wing wolf pack that went after Clinton; Blair’s detractors and those who hated Thatcher.

We should beware any ideology, left or right, that seems to give us permission to hate.

Rhian, very well said. All to often we appear blind to the failings of the "side" we support assuming them to be so much more ethical, honest and decent than those we oppose. Plenty who bag the lying rodent who seemed to have little problem with the lies and deceptions of other political leaders (and visa versa).

R0bert

Consider this, after the landslide removes Howard it will people people like this threads author who write far different tales about him.
I look forward to the Medea's demolition of a post election Howard.
But remind readers the Australian and most newspapers are little more than comic books.

Tony Kevin says, "Don, we don't need to hate our political leaders - with Rudd as PM vs whoever the coalition elect as their new Opposition leader."
There is no meaningful opposition. Howard is in power precisely through the treachery of the Labor party! The Laborites handed the reins on a platter to the Liberals - just as they always have going back to the 1930's. The Liberals carry on the attacks after the Laborites get voted out. The merry-go-round goes around again bringing in a new labor leader, hand picked, promising new riches to the Murdocks,Packers, Fairfax, banks, bosses and oil monopolies.
Most people do not realise they are voting mainly for the banks and oil companies. Not only just for election day, but the enormous control and sway they have over day to day living.

Whenever someone says Howard is evil/nasty/a dirty rotten scoundrel etc, they imply that those who voted/will vote for him are as venal as he, or else total idiots. Sometimes they say it straight. This then leads to two possibilities if Rudd wins...

A) The venal immoral Howard supporters see that Rudd is an even better vehicle to further their ambitions than JH. This COULD be possible since Kev has shown that he knows how to bed a multi-millionairess while Johnny hasn't, or
B) The idiots are now idiotically voting for Labor....as in days gone by.

Which is it guys?