Try to see it my way/do I have to keep on talking til I can't go on?
Peter Costello seems to think that his elevation to “co-Prime Minister” means that all of a sudden the Liberal Government has a team.
His ongoing assessment of the Labor team ended with his characterisation of Julia Gillard’s leadership as “scary”.
What might be so frightening to Costello?
Costello is a lawyer.
So is Julia Gillard.
Costello is Deputy Leader.
So is Julia Gillard.
Costello has held a range of party positions.
So has Julia Gillard.
Costello has a keen interest in industrial relations.
So does Julia Gillard.
They have some pretty fundamental philosophical differences, that is true. But Julia Gillard is not a radical, nor is she unstable. She is intelligent, forthright and clear in her positions.
Given all of this (notwithstanding that it issues forth from the Julia Gillard appreciation society, population Gigglewick) will some one please tell me what is so scary about Julia Gillard? What is more scary about her than, say, Tony Abbott? There may be a view among Liberals that she is an ideologue – but in that way how is she any different to Costello? How exactly does one become an activist without starting with an ideology or belief system?
Even the most nutty of nut-bars is an adherent to an ideology – but if you can’t bring people with you, you’re essentially screwed. And Costello has had eleven years to try and convince people to like him, or at very least to get on board with his political vision, which appears to be “have more babies, here’s a tax cut, the economy’s booming except when there’s an interest rate that’s not my fault”.
So it won’t be any surprise to anyone to hear that I’ll be voting for my local Labor candidate – if only to put one more vote in favour of a Julia Gillard-led Australia. I think that would be a fine place to live.
His ongoing assessment of the Labor team ended with his characterisation of Julia Gillard’s leadership as “scary”.
What might be so frightening to Costello?
Costello is a lawyer.
So is Julia Gillard.
Costello is Deputy Leader.
So is Julia Gillard.
Costello has held a range of party positions.
So has Julia Gillard.
Costello has a keen interest in industrial relations.
So does Julia Gillard.
They have some pretty fundamental philosophical differences, that is true. But Julia Gillard is not a radical, nor is she unstable. She is intelligent, forthright and clear in her positions.
Given all of this (notwithstanding that it issues forth from the Julia Gillard appreciation society, population Gigglewick) will some one please tell me what is so scary about Julia Gillard? What is more scary about her than, say, Tony Abbott? There may be a view among Liberals that she is an ideologue – but in that way how is she any different to Costello? How exactly does one become an activist without starting with an ideology or belief system?
Even the most nutty of nut-bars is an adherent to an ideology – but if you can’t bring people with you, you’re essentially screwed. And Costello has had eleven years to try and convince people to like him, or at very least to get on board with his political vision, which appears to be “have more babies, here’s a tax cut, the economy’s booming except when there’s an interest rate that’s not my fault”.
So it won’t be any surprise to anyone to hear that I’ll be voting for my local Labor candidate – if only to put one more vote in favour of a Julia Gillard-led Australia. I think that would be a fine place to live.
posted by gigglewick at
6:19 pm
10 Comments:
Julia Gillard is awesome.
That is all.
PS. I actually don't mind Costello either. Can I still be your friend?
I'm wishing, more and more, that JG was Labor leader.
Maybe it's her hair?
I think she's tops.
Acton B, you are talking about Tim aren't you?
julia is great. have you heard the rumour that she doesn't get along with stuffy old ruddy, and that it's a total marriage of convenience? i have, but from a not very reliable source... anyway, hopefully one day soon we may have our first woman PM in her - and not before time!!
leilani... unfortunately I meant Peter. Coz the Tim-Love goes without saying...
I'm most definitely a member of the JG Appreciation Society. And I agree with EB - would feel much happier if she were Leader. Pity the Leader traditionally comes from the Right faction.
Australia's first female PM, maybe? I think she'd be brillant in the role.
I was told just a few years ago, by 20 year member of the Labour Party that Rudd would never be leader; as a Queensleander, he wouldn't be able to command the factional support, it had never been done. Who's to say the enxt leadr won't come from another faction, perhaps even the left AND a woman?
Julia Gillard's problem is simple; she's an intelligent, articulate woman, unmarried and with no dependents. She does not fit the patriarchal political requirements of the woman in politics, who is first expected to raise children and live off her husband's wage before she has the audacity to launch herself into a highly successful career.
Can you tell I'm a single, childless woman with a successful career and have no regrets about being so?
A female Prime Minister? I'd go weak at the knees for that.
Actonb,
hmmm. I suppose so. I will forgive you because you live in NSW.
EB,
well is Piers Akerman and his ilk are anything to judge by, SHE IS.
Leilani,
She IS tops.
Susanna,
who knows how the factional system works?
Feminkneesm,
See above.
Blakkat,
I think it's clear that I agree with you....!
Watershedd,
I think she's done a great job of challenging those stereotypes...people aren't stupid about the realities of political life these days.
Although having said that there are many women MPs with famillies who have worked really hard to balance work and family and make an excellent contribution to the Parliament.
Rosanna,
Yes!
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