One of the most remarkable features of the challenge to the Prime Minister by Kevin Rudd was the way ministers, who had praised him lavishly for his work now condemned him in his former role in the most venomous terms.
In a letter to The Australian published on 27 February, 2012, Grant Moore, of Glenelg in South Australia wrote:
Whatever we may think of the political shenanigans coming to a head in Canberra this morning, at least el presidente Kevin Rudd has given us a brief foretaste of the campaign style we can expect for the top job in a republic.