I've always voted left of centre, and I would have very much preferred Latham as PM compared to Howard, but frankly, I've always thought he was a thug and a fuckwit. I've heard his rhetoric compared to Keating, but I don't think he was a pinch on Keating - Keating descended to the gutter to make some low (yet eloquent) blows, Latham never left (and never was eloquent).
Agreed that Rudd is the future of Labor. When can that lad take power?
Mind you, also surprised at some peoples lack of desire to have Costello succeed Howard. Don't you think Costello has a soul, where Howard is lacking any sense of principle or social justice? I think the liberal party would be a very different beast under Costello compared to Howard - bring it on!
Had Costello been running against Latham, for the first time ever I would've preferenced Libs over Labor.
All my first prefs run to the Greens, of course. Glad somebody has some decent social, environmental, and other policies.
Democrats, sadly, are a dead duck.