Personality Trumps Politics

The Ultimate Contrast in Charisma

It’s about time. Finally there are a few political leaders in the mix that have at least a bit of personality and despite their other perceived shortfalls – they’re thriving. My personal favourite and the obvious example is Barack Obama, who continues to close the gap on Hillary (and on the Presidency), despite his inexperience because he is a concentrated ball of charisma. But, there are examples closer to home. Morris Iemma looks set to rout Peter Debnam in the upcoming NSW election not because he’s particularly personable, but because Debnam has the charm of a cardboard cut-out. Iemma has run a lengthy ad campaign to ‘get in touch’ with voters, that was rather pathetic – but still he’s the clear choice as far as personality goes.

For all his recent criticism, Opposition Leader Kevin Rudd is demonstrating this principle the most clearly. His regular appearances on breakfast television and commercial radio have shown that while he’s a bit on the geeky side, he’s streets ahead of Howard in the persona stakes. He comes across as down-to-earth and as a guy who is happy to drop the double-speak and talk plainly. You don’t need a focus group to know that that will play big in these disillusioning times. So despite the best mud-slinging that the Lib’s have been able to muster so far, Rudd is soaring – to a popularity unseen for Labor in years.

As Rudd said this morning on FM radio, Howard is a master politician; with a cunning turn of phrase and next time the opposition is touched by scandal they may pay a heavier price. Fortunately for Rudd he’s maintaining his dialogue with the public and constantly striving to re-focus the media on the issues. Global warming, education, dealing with globalisation (and China) and water are his favourites. While he keeps doing that (and avoiding lunching with criminals), his momentum should continue to build.