Actually, on this one, I'm inclined to agree with pretty much everything bagaric says, save for the last comment.

Rudd has determined that he has the votes from the Howard haters anyway, so he has ignored them. Instead he is going for Howard's support base.

A very logical approach, but lacking in leadership or spine.

The thing is, Howard is the devil you know - and I don't believe we're better off.

I know for certain I disagree with Howard's approach. Rudd's might be different, though certainly won't be worse.

Plersdus outlines the reasons why he thinks people can only logically vote for Howard, but he fails to acknowledge that many disagree with Howard's approach - so the second option, wherein Rudd isn't being open about his intentions, isn't a reason not to vote for him, if you're keen to avoid the policy of Howard.

Though I grant you, Rudd's approach is leaving an unpleasant taste in the mouth, and I'm not sure I can bring myself to vote for it, even though I strongly disagree with most of Howard's approach.

Odds are my vote will go to a third party. I'm distinctly unimpressed with what the major ones have been up to.

I want to know what deals Kevin has done with the left and unions.Why would you have a raving socialist as your deputy who outwardly shows her distain for private enterprise?It took Wayne Swan a couple of days to come with a me too tax policy.

Kevin Rudd is a show pony without substance.Bob Carr was very articulate and was a disaster for NSW.Labor has far less talent than the Hawke/Keating eras and Kevin is not a strong enough leader to keep them in line.I see economic ruin.

FrankGol,

Firstly let me state that I regard both Hitler and Mussolini as men of evil.

In the early thirties Mussolini regarded Hitler as the junior partner. There is a short film of a meeting when Hitler was welcomed at train station on a visit to Italy. The welcoming party was King Emanuel Victor III (Head of State) and Mussolini. None of the actors knew the correct protocol and so they so they seem to raise their hands (and arms) to salute each other at random. This was a good example of cinema comedy in real life?

You have named other gentlemen in your post. I can assure you that the life history and public record of both Mr. Nelson and Mr. Costello are well documented. No matter your private view on their politics, one can be very certain of their parliamentary democratic credentials.

According to Wikipedia, Plato described the “philosopher king” in book IV of his “republic.” Wikipedia gives several historical examples including the biblical Solomon. It is too early to know if history will place K.Rudd among those illustrious characters.

It will be no surprise to you that I will not be risking the future by voting labour.

TurnRightThenLeft, are you suggesting Rudd is employing(shock,horror) Wedge tactics? Thought that was the practise of the evil Howard only.

FrankGols list of differences,gullible Frank. Housing affordability? Computers for all kids? Kyoto? Real hospital reform? His much delayed workplace reforms? Wanna buy a bridge,FranfGol?

Rudd will win but so what. Govts- State or Federal, are largely run by career public servants; and fiscal policies are run fro Tresury/Finance Dept run by neo-liberal economists who advise and put before any Minsiter of any political persuasion documents to sign off on.
The silly adverts that scare some folk in the electorates during election campaigns are not worth commenting on. Only party hacks and the advertising companies devise these pieces of scare mongering.
The ALP and the Coalition are much the same, sad to say.
I invite everyone to view the DLP website. It is the true Labor of old anyway.
This is what Catholic Laborites subscribed to both before and after the Split.
The modern ALP needs to return to its better days. Traditioanl ALP and DLP people have the most sensible and non-faddish ideas that can stand the test of time as they are based on Catholic social teachings from Pope Leo XIII through to the present Pope.
Become a Catholic. It is your spiritual birthright; also join up and make a personal sacrifce as a Christian in your neighbourhood and nation by joining and promoting the ideas of the DLP
http://www.dlp.org.au/

Mirko,

I'm old, tired and fed up with an 8-month election campaign. In my view, no government should be in power for 10 years or more. It breeds arrogance bordering on hubris; cronyism, nepotism and quite possibly corruption (AWB).

The ALP has wised up to the fact that there is no substitute for being in power. What annoys me is that the Howard-haters are sharpening their knives and pens for Kevin Rudd. At least he deserves a chance. The Howard-Costello legacy will be dissected and I am keen to see how their pack of admirers react when the grand tapestry becomes unravelled. I happen to be slightly more optimistic about Rudd but time will tell.