Truly, madly, deeply in love: Barack Obama & Kevin Rudd

Truly, madly, deeply in love, but surely it can’t last forever

Peter Hartcher
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The last US president was closer to the last Australian prime minister than he was to any other leader in the world. "Of all the leaders the president dealt with, he felt that John Howard was the one most like himself," says a former senior aide in the Bush White House, Mike Green.

Guess what’s happened now?

The new US President is closer to the new Australian Prime Minister than he is to any other leader in the world.

"One of the most interesting things to observe is which leaders – philosophically and in terms of temperament and approach to issues – bond initially with American presidents over the years," says a senior official in the Obama Administration, Kurt Campbell.

"At the top of the list right now is Prime Minister Rudd."

How so?

"His strategic approach to issues, his knowledge of China, his commitment to climate change, his interest in modern societies and the role of government, has really triggered a connection between himself and President Obama. So there’s a lot of discussion about how close the US and Australia are."

Politically, geopolitically, personally, Bush and Howard were in near-perfect alignment. Australia and the US entered a new intimacy under their partnership.

And now? Fortune pushed the button on the great poker machine of world affairs. The reels spun, the pictures blurred, and new images have clicked into place. The result is clear. Against high odds, there is, again, a near-perfect alignment.

Politically, Kevin Rudd and Barack Obama are both new leaders from the progressive side of the politics.

Geopolitically, they are in agreement on the big issues of our time – winding back the effort in Iraq, intensifying the campaign in Afghanistan, responding to the global economic crisis, dealing with climate change, searching for a new modus vivendi with China. Personally, they are younger-generation leaders, Rudd turning 52 next month and Obama celebrating his 42nd next week, just as Howard, now 70, and George Bush, 63, were of the same generation. Continued...

http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/truly-madly-deeply-in-love-but-surely-it-canx2019t-last-forever-20090731-e4gl.html

than he is. Almost 42?

6 years ago...2003. He was still a Senator from Illinois at 42. How funny is that. Boy, has the burden on his shoulders changed.

I didn't/don't much about Rudd but am happy for both of our countries for the change from previous leaders

He's centre-left ideologically, and a huge policy wonk. He works himself and his government very hard, and also lacks a little bit of that common touch, which is fine with me, as long as he's delivering good policy outcomes.

One of his first actions after gaining power was to correct a long standing issue in regards to reconciliation with Australia's aboriginal communities, particularly in regards to a policy that ran for many years earlier last century where aboriginal children were stolen from their parents and forcibly "integrated" in to white society, with the aim of "breeding out" the race. It was a defining moment in Australian history, and huge step forward as a multiracial, progressive society.

His solution to the GFC was also along the lines of a stimulus plan (both short-term and long-term), and he's definitely more interested in nation building projects that will benefit future generations, rather than short-term right-wing free market bubbles.

He's tended to be a proponent of climate change, though acting on that has been a lot harder than accepting that its a reality, as I'm sure the US will see soon.

He written long essays outlining his policy goals, and his philosophy, with one famous 7000 word essay outlining and criticising the failure of the "neo-liberal" (Liberals are the conservative party down here, confusing I know) free market ideology that was responsible for the global financial crisis.

Generally speaking, he's been a massive step forward for Australia.