Federal Politics - I like what I see

While the state government is in a mess, with both Debnam and Iemma swinging on the pendulum between notoriety and oblivion, I'm really liking what I'm seeing in Federal Politics. This is how the two-party system is supposed to work: each leader is conscious enough of the competition that he is spurred to reach down into ever more creative and innovative depths in order to impress the electorate about key issues. "Impress" is a key word, because politics is at least 2/3rds show and only 1/3rd substance, and even that small substance is only to impress the liberal and conservative press into slightly more coverage and editorial opinion.

On the Labor side we have an economic emphasis on education. Although this economic emphasis somewhat worries me, since (at least superficially) it appears to deviate from Labor's core founding principles, nevertheless, Kevin Rudd (clever politician as he is) has released a statement attacking the government on one of its weakest points, giving voice to public unrest - and at that, public unrest which wasn't even yet conscious on a public scale. Well done to Kevin Rudd, I like what I see, but I'm curious as to the details of that new education policy. Sweeping statements are nice on a performative level, but even the least politically-savvy constituent will soon realise there is no substance to the rhetoric.

And as for Howard, perhaps he doesn't think Rudd has hit any nails, because there has been very little response to the Education statement. Instead, Howard announced a Cabinet reshuffle to overshadow Rudd's announcement. And now, another weapon to the armoury, a $10 billion water plan. A long-overdue but competitive response to the very vocal concerns of the electorate. Rudd will need a good return on this powerful serve, it's a point he can't afford to lose - without a struggle. On water, he doesn't need to come out on top, but Rudd needs to show it's a game he can play. The Howard government runs a good fear campaign, and on the issue of the drought, Australia is terrified.