So freedom of speech only applies to Americans, I guess?
John Howard, as Prime Minister of Australia will speak out as he chooses to on ANY issue of relevance and interest to the Commonwealth of Australia.
The day American politicians stop commenting on any other country, that might change.
But we deal with criticism from America and Americans every single day.
There's no reason we shouldn't.
But there's also no reason for Americans to think they shouldn't have to.
Obama in office, would be a bad thing for Australia.
Yes, that decision is ultimately up to the American people, and if American voters - Democrats or Republicans - choose to utterly ignore John Howard's views, or even if his views make them do exactly the opposite of what they might have otherwise done - then that is their right.
Howard doesn't avoid saying things that are electorally unpopular even when his own election is at stake.
Show me one example of GWB commenting directly, by name, on the positions of a candidate for election in another country, a full year before a single vote is cast, and I'll concede the point.
What Howard could do--what would have been more appropriate and not as boneheaded--would be to simply lay out what policies he supports and opposes. Without naming names.