Kim Beazly was by all media accounts a good bloke; and the same media says that Rudd was largely friendless within the ALP.(at least until he galvanised the polls). Kims heart and his appeal were immediate and obvious, Kevin's' more cerebral.

Kim was a poor team leader whilst Kevin managed to revitalise his team and take advantage of the mood for change. Kevin turned what was a bit of a rabble under Beazley into a pretty tight unit.

The Bomber was more old school Labor, Rudd a bit of a blank page- apparently factionless and unencumbered by union 'dues'.

Anyhow spare a thought for Beazley the man- his happiness must be tinged with a feeling of personal hurt at the way the cards have fallen.

I agree 100% with you.

Although I am not a fan of his policies I believe he was a good man at heart and had great passion for the job and for Australia.

It must be tough for him seeing Kevin get in.

Rudd is in the honeymoon period. He has yet to face the factions or the unions, yet to try and get any of his policies off the ground. At present he is being treated like some sort of celebrity pop-star. When reality sets in it will be a very different story.
Beazley was a decent man and the ALP may yet regret his absence.

"I believe he was a good man at heart and had great passion for the job and for Australia."

He probably was, but a good heart and passion are not enough, in what we need
as a leader. A man of intelligence helps a great deal and Rudd
has that. Whether the rest of the ALP will drag him down, is yet
to be revealed. I suspect that they will, but stay tuned.

Barely a word from the self proclaimed compassionate side of politics for Beazley. Too busy bitchin and boasting, and making mischief by advising the Libs. on their past and their future.

Beazley was a buffoon,

His grandiose and wild statements did little for the crediblity of the ALP. He carried too much baggage to lead the "new" labor.

Without Rudd the ALP might still be in opposition.