Posted by
Bert Chapman on Friday, August 10, 2007 2:31:50 PM
John Howard has been a very successful Australian Prime Minister. Since his conservative Liberal-National Party coalition was elected in 1996, Australia has experienced considerable economic success which resulted in the coalition's being reelected in 1998, 2001, and 2004. Howard has reinforced Australia's position as a country that punches above its weight in international political and security matters. Australian forces are currently serving in East Timor, Afghanistan, and Iraq. They have suffered relatively few casualties in these conflicts so that has not really been a significant factor in dampening Australian morale. Howard has been a stalwart ally of the U.S. in the war against Islamist terror being willing to send troops to Iraq despite the howling of leftist critics at home. Australian troops remain there today and part of their responsibilities include running the Baghdad Airport.
Howard, nevertheless, is facing a predicament. Despite generally good economic signs in Australia, although there is concern over rising interest rates and how that might affect mortgages, Howard and his coalition are facing a significant political challenge from the opposition Labour Party lead by Kevin Rudd. Even the most successful parties and leaders, sometime run out of steam or sometimes public opinion may get excited by the prospect of something new. Rudd, unlike some Australian leftists, seems to be genuinely supportive of U.S. policy objectives but he would not be as loyal or enthusiastic an ally of the U.S. as Howard and his coalition government have been. Howard is a very resourceful politician and may yet be able to pull out a fifth term when Australians head to the polls later this year. U.S. conservatives should do everything they can to encourage Howard and his team and be grateful for the support they've provided the U.S. in the war against Islamist terror. A key reason for Howard's electoral success, besides his solid record of governance, has been his ability to identify with middle-class "battlers" who work hard and play by the rules to get ahead in life. Hopefully, Howard will confound his leftist critics and be able to continue pursuing policies that help these "battlers."