IF politics is showbiz for ugly people, John Howard has just won an Oscar. In front of a packed press conference in the White House, US President George W Bush outlined the reasons for his close friendship with the Australian prime minister - and it sure isn't his looks. In the space of one answer, Mr Bush described the man standing by his side as bald and no oil painting - but a terrific leader. And Mr Bush put paid to any thought that Mr Howard might be retiring at the end of this year, saying he did not expect...