Australian politics has become increasingly managerial. The transformative politicians, such as Keating and Greiner have been replaced by the Howard's, Carr's and Rudd's. The dour accountants who on budget night seem happy that the nation, or at least the media, is interested in who carried the one and knows what modulus means.

This is in stark contrast to the regalia of American political events. Overly staged to the point of cynicism under Bush, but remarkably fluent and historical with the calming rhetorical hand of Obama.

So do we take the physically awkward but ruthlessly managerial Carr's of the world over the Obamas or Keatings? If Obama and Clinton have anything is it political presence. It is hard to argue that Keating comes within coo-ee of Obama for that. Hawke would be the one that comes within the instinctual politics of those two, but he doesn't have the sam rhetorical flourish.

It is also hard to argue against the dour accountant and managerial prime ministers and premiers. They have not made the same mistakes that American politicians have, then again, they wouldn't have the political courage to cruise to the edges of laize-faire and back again as American politics have.

Even the dour managerialism has not been a protection against bad governance or corruption. Under Howard the last five years were overtly political where policy followed the campaign trail and left a muddle of policy and expenditure that was little more than attempted wedge after wedge.

NSW has a history of its politicians being chased out of office by ICAC and Carr was no different. The dour managerialism descended into corruption and autocratic policy making. Considering how democracy almost negates permanent entrenchment entirely from the political scene, getting too comfortable, or forgetting the constituents is a mechanism for being thrown out.

I thought Keating was an arrogant ass, but at least he was happy to tell Australians you are ready for this, you just don't know it yet. After Howard and Rudd maybe Australia needs an Italian suit kind of PM again.