Rudd and Turnbull are the safe hands for foreign affairs

PaulB says:

04:50pm | 06/09/10

Yes, but both are known and loved by the UN Mandarins who would like us all to do as they say.

Steely Dan says:

04:52pm | 06/09/10

@ Andy

“Rudd is known around the world now as the PM who got the sack from his own Government . Not a good look for foreign affairs surely.”
Not really.  I’m sure that world leaders understand the difference between competency and popularity.

Steely Dan says:

04:55pm | 06/09/10

Also, if the Coalition’s in government I want Turnbull to have the top job.  He’s the smartest guy the Libs have had in ages.  Even though I may not have voted for him, if it had been Gillard vs Turnbull the other week, Malcolm would be in the Lodge right now.

Dirk Hartog says:

07:03pm | 06/09/10

... and Turnbull wasn’t sacked by his own party?

Northern Steve says:

07:51pm | 06/09/10

Dirk, Turnbull’s leaving was slightly different to Rudd’s.  IIRC, Turnbull called a spill to consolidate his position - his choosing.

I do think Rudd could still do the job, despite his rough year.  Clinton didn’t exactly cover himself with grace in his final years, yet he is a highly regarded international figure who still demands respect.  Rudd’s international work was certainly of a much higher standard than his domestic achievements.  A Ministry like Foreign Affaris would probably suit him - reasonably independent of other matters, always something different happening.  I suspect being PM was just too much for him to control and stay on top of everything at once.

Kurisu Sonsaku says:

08:18pm | 06/09/10

Ummmm, Dirk H

Turnbull was in the opposition,
There was a spill and he lost on the basis of a party room vote,
He did not run a presidential style campaign al a kevin07
He was not voted out because of the poll numbers
He was not knifed in the back by his “Faithful Deputy”, who professed their (metaphorical) undying loyalty.
He was not subject to the whims of the factions extant in the ALP….Really, as has been pointed out by other pundits on this forum, there is a massive difference between the voting out of MT and the execution of kevvni.

Jane says:

07:05pm | 06/09/10

I wasn’t aware Clinton was “kicked” out of office???? It was Kevin who was “kicked” out of office. Statesman’s were a crap car too.

Mal says:

07:17pm | 06/09/10

A great statesman like the time he told everyone what the president of the USA had aid in a private moment.  He is a two bit clown with no idea other than self promotion.  The leaks during the election campaign - classy.

Chris says:

07:51pm | 06/09/10

Hillary’s husband wasn’t “kicked out of office”. The 22nd Amendment to the US Constitution prevents any president from serving a third term. After serving two full terms, Bill Clinton was thus ineligible to be re-elected in 2000.

Wayne Fehlhaber says:

08:04pm | 06/09/10

dale :  ” Rudd is well known and a great statesman. “
Well , yes he is well known but a great statesman he never was or ever could be. I believe he is an intelligent ” nice bloke ” but lets leave it at that.

Kurisu Sonsaku says:

08:26pm | 06/09/10

Bill Clinton was not kicked out of office. He served 2 terms which is the limit allowed in the US.

If i may rephrase your last sentence;

RUDD is a narcissist with the diplomatic skills of a 3 toed sloth with rabies.

Statesman - unless he has turned into a luxury Holden sedan i think not.

acotrel says:

06:45am | 07/09/10

When a politician makes as big a gaff, such as introducing the mining tax a few months before an election, there tends to be consequences.  He should have kept our corporate power base happy!

Evan Findlay says:

09:26pm | 06/09/10

Gregg,
Give us a break. “She may yet make a good foreign minister” as compared to everything up to now that has shown her to be a sh*thouse shadow foreign minister.
It would be like giving Barnaby the portfolio of treasury!!~!!!
Why not put Bronwyn Bishop in the portfolio of aged care!!!!!!

Jay says:

07:06pm | 06/09/10

Care to give an example of Rudd being a ‘total disgrace’ while representing Australians overseas?

Rob r Charteris says:

07:38pm | 06/09/10

Louisa says:06:30pm; what a pointless uneducated remark, you have obviously been living with your head in the sand. Rudd is clearly the most qualified for the Foreign Ministers job. If you cant figure that out you have obviously never ventured out of the suburb you were born in.

Louisa says:

10:35pm | 06/09/10

Jay = Well how about the pole dancing joint.  Remember Rudd was too drunk to remember what happened…l but remembgered eniugh to “say” that he phoned his wife the next day to day that he had been silly… or whatever.

Louisa says:

10:41pm | 06/09/10

Rob r Charteris

Most people ingore whatever you write. Go away you silly little man. Head in the sand .... No.. 
I just stay informed.

Never ventured out of the suburb I was born in??  Well, I have you know…. I have moved about the North Shore for many years.  Where do you live…. obviously a poor surburb whose residents rely on welfare and who all vote for Labor.

Gregg says:

11:10pm | 06/09/10

Labelling the Chinese at Hopenhagen would go down oh so well with the Chinese I’d reckon!, what say yourselves Jay and Rob?
And don’t think what has been reported here in Australia’s media has not gone unnoticed.
For what it’s worth, it doesn’t matter so much who the FM is for they have SFA clout representing Australia who are probably considered by the global powers as having SFA clout but that’d not stop the Chinese being insulted by his comments for they like the Japaneses can take stuff like that to heart.

And then that Rudd turns up with a dagger in his back will not be unnoticed either.

Z says:

12:03am | 07/09/10

@Jay
I keep thinking about the Rats…........ In Copenhangen.
Rudd said they were BIG.

Rob r Charteris says:

07:33pm | 07/09/10

Louisa says:10:41pm; Actually I’m an immigrant, I dont live in a suburb. I live in a small village where I work with my taxes paying your welfare cheque. I guess I was right! you haven’t ventured anywhere. It is pretty easy to pick em’

Simon says says:

09:22pm | 07/09/10

Look, Rob Charteris.

You may just have something worthwhile to say from the Left perspective. But too many of your posts are so needlessly offensive that you’re effectively drowning out anything useful you may have to say. 

And it only eggs the Libs on to be nastier than usual.

How about you tone it down.

Louisa says:

06:54pm | 06/09/10

Of course he has not found them - they were never there to start with.

He has always overestimated his talents

Rob r Charteris says:

10:47pm | 06/09/10

Louisa says:06:54pm; Interesting considering he has three children. but of course you wouldn’t know what balls are would you. You have probably never been near some.

Boz says:

12:51pm | 07/09/10

Hey Rob! Louisa made a good point, maybe you can’t face up to the fact your hero is a gutless wonder but the facts are there. When is comes to bullying those weaker than himself Rudd is a champ, but he can’t fend off someone his own size. A gutless wonder that Gillard has tamed well.

Nicole says:

08:34pm | 07/09/10

Ever heard of a turkey baster Rob?

Rob r Charteris says:

10:30pm | 07/09/10

Nicole says:08:34pm; sweetie, you can baste me anytime you like. I can do kinky…. if you like.

Louisa says:

07:33pm | 06/09/10

Divine retribution.

Wonder if Krudd still attends church?

North says:

07:53pm | 06/09/10

Swann is Deputy - he can have what he wants.  Regardless of talents and skills
And Rudd as treasurer????

Evan Findlay says:

09:30pm | 06/09/10

So James you would allow the man who brought Onetel down to hold the purse strings of the Australian economy. Interesting!!!!