"Mr Howard is looming as an increasing risk for Australia's long-term national security." -- Kevin Rudd.

Rudd further said that Howard hadn’t learned a thing from Iraq, which was Australia’s greatest security disaster since Vietnam.

To which Australia’s Commander in Chief, Major Magoo, replied darkly: “Really? I think he’s getting a bit full of himself.” The seething anger came right through the TV screen.

Yep, that was a mouthful from the Opposition Leader. All too evident, as we’ve known since 2003, but maybe Kev should cool it for awhile.

Australia is no longer a country where larrikans are admired or even tolerated. It's a conservative nation that distrusts people who use their brains. About all most Aussies are interested in these days is turning on their tech toys and counting their assets. So maybe it's time for Kevin Rudd to put a sock in his joyful “mind-fucking” of the PM. Unless, of course, the scared little man asks for it. A lot of us are enjoying the Schadenfreude of it all, but if this remark caused us a momentary wince, imagine what the old boys and dears out there might be thinking. “That upstart is being just plain mean to that nice man, John Howard. We certainly can’t vote for a smart alec. We’re sticking with the liar.”

Let’s hope this isn’t the high point of Rudd’s leadership. Admittedly it was cause for popping the champagne corks when news that Howard may lose Bennelong came through. Malcolm Mackerras thinks he’ll lose his seat as well as the election, something that hasn’t happened since the days of Stanley Bruce. But MM is usually wrong.

-- Olney Garkle