The Age featured an insightful analysis of John Howard's reign in Saturday's edition. Key quote:

'The coming election will be about the usual issues of health, education and industrial relations, but in significant ways, John Winston Howard will be on the ballot.'

Penguin publishing director Bob Sessions, and instigator of NHJ, says there is little interest in Howard the man. 'Let's cut to the chase. John Howard's a good economic manager, with no heart, apparently, and very little colour. The most exciting thing about him is that he goes for a walk every morning.'