SYDNEY -- Instead of the usual rancorous Canberra power-play politics, Prime Minister John Howard has lately been all smiles as guest of honor at a series of dinners across Australia.
There have been endless speeches of praise from the Liberal-National Coalition faithful, his every word quoted as a pointer to why Australia is enjoying unprecedented progress under a conservative government, or why, after four terms in power, the Howard magic still works with Aussie voters.
Only now, after weeks of gushing praise, cynical Canberra watchers are starting to ask: How much longer can he last? Big money is being bet -- this being a nation of bettors -- on his resignation next January. That's time enough, the punters reckon, for a new prime minister to get into stride and win a November 2007 election.