Rudd is an absolute campaigning machine. He is a super political being who never seems to get tired, never loses his focus, and always sticks to the script.

He’s certainly done the hard yards since the election was called five weeks ago. He’s travelled further than Howard, he’s met more people and he’s done more press conferences.

If he gets elected Prime Minister on November 24, he will have earned the prize.

Take Rudd’s schedule today for example. Rudd began the day in Brisbane, and visited a school to further promote – surprisingly enough – his “education revolution”.

He had to put up with the usual schoolyard fanfare and chaos. Yells of “Ruddinator”, “Kevin07”, and even “John Howard” could be heard from classrooms.

But Rudd, as usual, kept his cool. His impeccable smile remained throughout. He gave each student a bit of time – asking them questions about their subjects – before moving on to the next classroom.

Not even a former Liberal candidate intent on spoiling Rudd’s day could dent the Opposition Leader’s strength and charisma.

The Liberal man in question – Doug Marsh – was waiting outside the school for Rudd to arrive, and immediately began yelling he was a “disgrace” and would be bad for the country.

It turned out Mr Marsh was a current member of the Liberal Party, a former federal Liberal candidate, but, according to him, it was pure “coincidence” that he was there. He said there had been no Liberal Party tip off.

In any event, Marsh’s heckling had no impact on Rudd. He casually strolled by – giving the man no attention – and walked into the school.

Rudd’s trip to the school wasn’t just to meet students either. His work rate is far higher than that.

He also used the opportunity to hold a near 30 minute press conference – answering questions ranging from education, his wife’s business practices, WA politics, and much more.

He had obviously spent a lot of time this morning being briefed on everything and anything that could possibly be asked. He was up to date with all the day’s news items.

And that was just Rudd’s morning.

Next he flew north to Mackay, where he announced funding for new sugar cane farming technology. The technology converts cane waste into environmentally-friendly ethanol – giving farmers more income, while also helping the environment.

He made the announcement while taking a ride in a giant sugar cane harvester.

He also held another press conference, this time for about 15 minutes – to give his thoughts and opinions on the afternoon’s news items, as opposed to those of the morning.

After he had finished all this, he still decided he had time to have a cup of tea with the farm’s owner.

Then, as if this wasn’t enough work for one day, Rudd decided to make the long flight to Perth – his third trip to Western Australia in weeks. He didn’t arrive in Perth until two in the morning (eastern standard time).

But – you guessed it – that’s not all the things Rudd has done today. He also had at least two radio interviews. He planned key strategic messages and press releases for the media. And who knows what actual internal Labor dealings he had to broker today.

All up, it is an amazing feat of endurance. It is an amazing workload.

But today was not an anomaly in the campaign. This is what Kevin Rudd does every day.

Like the kids at the schoolyard said, he is “The Ruddinator” – it is like he was designed specifically for the hardships of the campaign. He is simply a political machine.

Compare, for a second, this unbelievable work rate to the slow, stumbling campaign that John Howard has been conducting.

In the last week, Howard has only been to NSW and Queensland. Rudd has been to Adelaide, Perth, Brisbane, Townsville, the Sunshine Coast, Mackay, and now back to Perth.

In terms of total travel, Crikey has Howard clocking up just under 25,000km of movement since the campaign began. Rudd has done more than 35,000km – not including his latest trip West.

In fact, Howard hasn’t even been to Tasmania since the election was called.

In all honesty, Rudd’s propensity for extreme travel has nearly made the entire press pack following him sick with fatigue.

But Rudd seems unaffected by this tremendous workload. He remains a strong, healthy, focused individual – day in, day out. Aside from a sore hand – caused by too much campaigning and too much handshaking – there is no stopping this man.

Just like his slogan says, he remains “fresh” at all times.

No wonder Howard is behind in the polls. Maybe the old PM just can’t keep up the pace.