Australia 2007: Costello vs. Rudd

[Robespierre's Jaw]

Let's say in July 2006, Prime Minister of Australia John Winston Howard announces after 10 years in power, that he'll step down as Prime Minister and thus handing the reins over to heir apparent Peter Costello. In late July, Costello is nominated unanimously by the Liberal caucus. For the Deputy Leadership of the Liberal Party, the Liberals select Bruce Baird, the member for Cook.

Like in RL, in December 2006, Kevin Rudd defeats incumbent ALP leader Kim Beazley for the ALP Leadership. Deputy Leader Jenny Macklin steps down from her position and is replaced by Julia Gillard.

How would Costello fare in the 2007 Election against Kevin Rudd. Would he do worse than Howard did on last Saturday or would he do better?

[Robespierre's Jaw]

I don't mean McKew, I think whoever the Labor candidate was would have won.

I would have to agree with Polnut on this one. McKew only ran against Howard because she was brought in as one of Krudd's "Celebrity Candidates" to knock off high profile ministers. As I saw on Insight on SBS once, Bennelong only went for the Liberal Party because of Johnny Howard. The day he stepped down, was the day Bennelong would switch to the ALP.