The image makers in the ALP seem to have got it wrong with their last two leaders, perhaps out of desperation, or exasperation with the often dour performance of Simon Creane, who is, nevertheless, a basically honest and pleasant person with a choleric, unionised edge, but not really tough enough or sharp enough to dent a seasoned campaigner like John Howard, or Peter Costello, who has a quick and lethal wit, despite seeming a little arrogant at times, which really reflects a confident performer rather than a callous nature, although he'll need to work on it.
On reflection, the profile creators have tried to turn hard-man Mark Latham into a big softy who would adorn any living room, and the very affable Kim Beasley into a hard man, who would tower menacingly over any pugalist, and it hasn't worked. You just can't put a convincing snarl on Kim's face. Wrong dial. Hence the developing frown, which overrules the smile he attempts to push through on occasion, especially in the last few weeks when his position has been threatened by low popularity and internal fears in the ALP. It's hard to put on the new face and the brave face at the same time.
Which is why bright ALP hope Bill Shorten needs to be left alone. He has shown signs of being a quality performer where, regrettably, but inevitably, it counts these days - in front of the cameras. He seems to have a natural ability, which he obviously has put time and energy into creating. No doubt there is an excellent team behind his performances, but he needs to be allowed to be his own man.
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