Wednesday 3 July 2013

The Rudd Express - the myth of the "Honeymoon Period."

I don't know which is slower. The computer I'm using now, or Kevin Rudd at naming an election date. Remember when John Howard got flack for taking his time?

Ok. I accept the argument that Labor needs to preselect members for vacated seats before an election is announced. But shouldn't Rudd and his backers thought of that before they rolled Gillard. Surely Rudd would have been prepared for the possibility that a large chunk of the cabinet - Gillard supporters, and Rudd despisers - was going to quit now that Rudd was back.

All of this seems very last minute.

If Rudd thinks the polls are going to stay the same, or perhaps increase even more in his favour, he is deluded. Of course, there is no proof that is the reason for his reluctance to name an election date. It may be that Rudd is very much aware that the longer he stalls the less popular he will be come election day.

One mistake Rudd has made is believing the hype created by the myth of the "Honeymoon Period." No such thing exists. Despite appearances (and a lot of people do like Rudd). Despite the polls that say he is prefered PM (such polls mean nothing when it is the government we vote for, not the PM. And Labor still trails the Coalition)the "Honeymoon Period" is still a myth.

Rudd was scrutinised and attacked from his first day back in the Prime Minister's chair - the last day of Parliament before the winter break.

His past failings were brought up; his manner, speech and lack of skills in delegation were also mentioned in the media and in Parliament. There is no, and never has been, a "Honeymoon Period."

The Left may fawn and suck up to certain leaders like groupies after rockstars. But Rudd's political opposition has never, and will never, allow for any softness or niceities simple because it's Rudd's first month back. The scrutiny starts from day one.

That scrutiny will increase as more revelations about Rudd's involvement in the illegal shredding of documents relating to a child sex abuse victim come to light. The media has been silent on this. No surprise. It's a block in the road stopping the Rudd bandwagon. And we can't have a few little allegations of illegality get in the way of the Rudd Express, can we?

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