Rudd, as are most in this Government, are articulate academics but that doesn't translate into competence & pragmatism. It is this that is to the detriment of Australia not Abbott's image. If you want Ken or Barbie to lead us then we might as well give up now. Image vs competence is not a contest at all, it's plain stupid.

rehctub,

"Now as for this word Poorly, from my previous post, all I can say is so much for spell check, as this was written as Poirot."

Please don't think I'm out to pick you up on every error (I make heaps inadvertently myself:)....I was bitchin' because you didn't seem to care.

As for "spellcheck" - what I meant was when you type and see a red line, perhaps you should check it. That's what I do - manually. "Automatic spellcheck" can be a bit of a trial.

.........

Thanks for the other comments boys, no doubt will get back to you later.

(I still can't fathom the Rhodes Scholar aspect - this fella appears to be an intellectual lightweight - have been waiting for signs of real substance - still waiting)

P,

Is it finally starting to dawn on you? The reason you and other left whingers can't fathom TA is because you are victims of your own propaganda.

From the moment TA became opposition leader, Labor treated him as a joke, and expected an easy ride in. The constant slagging of his personality etc drove his personal ratings down, but he kept hammering at Labor's competence until after only 8 months Dudd's satisfaction and labor's primary vote were crashing, and the Dudd was sacked. The same happened to Juliar.

TA has slowly been letting his foot off the attack pedal, and letting the public see his family side, his extensive community and indigenous involvement, and with that the invective from the left has been seen by the majority as shrill and baseless.

If you cannot see the substance it is because you don't want to. Ask yourself the simple question. "if this man is lacking substance, what does this say of Dudd and Juliar who have been so effortlessly thrashed?"

Shadow minister,

TA has very little substance - the same as Georgie Bush had very little substance.

They are stage-managed into office by partisan media and right-wing think-tanks, who know exactly what appeals to shallow-minded voters.

I'm not stupid enough to suppose that Labor is all sweetness and light...but I resent having a garden variety pollie represented as a potential leader of substance.

He's not.

And this is further given credence by his dodgy tactic of keeping his costings up his magician's sleeve until the last possible minute and after the electronic blackout is in place.

Tony ain't no man of substance. He's malleable and suited to being a prop to the right-wing agenda (just like Bushie)...even if he finds it near impossible to talk articulately - and without the obligatory gaffe - without a script (just like Bushie)

You're right, the polls are in his favour...

More evidence that his audience is either dyed in the wool Lib or not very perceptive in general.

P,

It appears that the vein of denial runs deep and rich in you. I doubt you could even define what you mean by substance. You don't like Abbott ergo he has no substance.

What has Juliar and Dudd got that Abbott hasn't. Not honesty or forward thinking. Perhaps it is their ability to waffle, to make eloquent, but meaningless speeches?

Pray tell, I would love to see how narrow your mind has got.

hilarous that only a few months ago Poirot and Lexi were sure that Turnbull would be leading the Liberals. Now comes all the little conspiracy theories. Oh how could the 'dumb ' public be so foolish as to choose Abbott over the policy on the run Rudd or the wasteful spending dishonest Gillard. Yes its all Newscorps fault nothing to do with pathetic performance by the Government. Dream on!