And therein lies the rub: for what might be regarded as political suicide elsewhere, and in the US in particular, seems to have had the opposite effect on Rudd's chances Down Under (and if people think that's bad, they should consider the antics of Britain's Conservative Party, where such things as being busted nude and alone with a tennis ball in your mouth and a whip tied around your neck is regarded as a normal night out).
When it comes to Aussie politics, it's worth noting here that former Labor PM Bob Hawke was renowned for being a knockabout man-about-town and is said to have once asked feminist author Germaine Greer to hand him a beer while he was showering; that former Liberal leader Billy Snedden died in a highly compromising situation with his much-younger lover in a Sydney hotel room in the mid '80s, and that former Liberal PM Malcolm Fraser, who was once regarded as a prim and proper conservative toff but remains a loved character in Australia because of his work for genuine humanitarian causes around the world, once turned up allegedly wrapped in a towel at the front desk of the run-down Admiral Benbow motel in Memphis, Tennessee (where he'd somehow found himself), complaining that his money, pants and particulars had been stolen. And those are only a few of the ones we know about.
As for Rudd, it's doubtful it will have much of an impact on his chances despite his having puckered up to the evangelical happyclappers of the Christian Right in Australia - mainly because Australians still think the alternative is no longer the answer. That was brought home last week after an uproar over Howard's promise at the last election that he would keep mortgage interest rates low because he was the only one with the economic credentials. That found its way into the rubbish bin of political history as a red-faced PM watched them rise for the fifth time since 2004.
Perhaps the last word on this affair should go to a women's lobby group, the National Foundation for Australian Women, whose spokeswoman Marie Coleman told The Daily Telegraph: "If we hanged every bloke who was stupid, there wouldn't be many left.'' It's a sentiment apparently shared by Rudd's multimillionaire wife Therese Rein, who is said to have forgiven him — although you'd have loved to have been a fy on the wall when the Sunday papers lobbed on the kitchen table at brekkie.
Article comments
1 - Dave Nalle
I was tempted to translate this article into English, but settled for adding links to defiitions for the bizarre aussie nomenclature. Except 'tipped' which I believe means the same as 'tapped' in English, though it might have something to do with whipping and ball gags.
Dave
2 - S Dorsett
Rudd is devious and sleezy. I don't know why anyone would vote for this pretentious liar. He is a closet communist and he will lead the country down the path of annihilation.
How a 'feminist' can believe his behaviour as something trivial is beyond me! Real feminists want to puke when they hear about Rudd.
It's a case of 'better the devil you know' when it comes to the election. Howard all the way!
3 - Silver Surfer
Dave, tipped ... you know, as in tipping a horse to win a race??
4 - S Dorsett
Rudd is devious and sleazy. I don't know why anyone would vote for this pretentious liar. He is a closet communist and he will lead the country down the path of annihilation.
How a 'feminist' can believe his behaviour as something trivial is beyond me! Real feminists want to puke when they hear about Rudd.
It's a case of 'better the devil you know' when it comes to the election. Howard all the way!
Why did Rudd use tax payer's money for his 'good night out'? He is a disgrace and is UNFIT TO RUN AUSTRALIA.
5 - Silver Surfer
Actually, Rudd didn't use taxpayers' money for his night out. There is no suggestion of that at all.
6 - Silver Surfer
Dorsett: Rudd is devious and sleazy.
As opposed to John Howard, who is just an out an out liar and con man whose main claim to fame is sucking in the Australian people with a series of pea-and-thimble tricks.
7 - Dr Dreadful
Nice article, Stan. When I saw this story a couple of days ago I wondered whether you'd be weighing in on it.
My immediate thought was that, in contrast to what would have happened in Britain or America, Rudd was very likely going to be worshipped as a hero - which is exactly what seems to be happening, by your account.
One more reason to love Australia. BTW, his slogan is great: "Kevin 07". Just wouldn't work in any other accent.
8 - STM
Well, the truth is Doc, he's been perceived as a boring bastard, but then look at the PM. Great choice.
To say that everyone was surprised was an understatement. And just imagine if little Johnny Howard, friend of the little Aussie battler, had done something like that.
People are still taking bets on when they'll see Howard's top lip move when he speaks, and the odds on a risky second facial expression are really long ...
9 - Clavos
Enjoyable, fun read, SS!
What interested me most was that I was able to pretty much understand the 'Strine. Hhmm. Maybe I'm ready to get over there and have a look-see.
Mate, one thing I'd like to hear more about:
What was Germaine Greer doing in Mr. Hawke's room while he was showering? Did she hand him the beer?
Thanks for the treat!
10 - STM
Lol, in relation to Hawke. I believe he'd been at some sort of speaking engagement. I don't know for sure, but the story has been arouind for many years and isn't apocryphal. Apparently, discovering Ms Greer was also there, he invited her down to the room. She just happened to arrive while he was in the shower.
The story goes that he poked his head out of the bathroom, and said: "G'day Germs, you couldn't pass me another beer, could you?"
I'm sure she was impressed.
Also mate, it is a worry that you understood everything. I think even Nalle now understands most of the stuff, but I suppose every other bastard will be scratching their heads.
11 - Dr Dreadful
I'm sure Howard's ears are still ringing from the backfire, and that he now realizes the only way he has a prayer of winning the election is for it to be suddenly discovered that he has been sneaking off to Oman every few weeks to visit his personal harem of nubile Arabian beauties.
I'll be watching the Asia-Pacific section of the BBC News website with great interest between now and November...
12 - STM
Yeah, what a low act eh, Doc? Mind you, the reported leaker is Alexander Downer, the Australian foreign minister - and a man known to like fishnets (on his own legs, though).
I believe he once went to a fancy dress party attired thus, and is now often drawn wearing fishnets and high heels by cartoonists.
Yes, this is a fun place, this. Well, except for little Johnny.
13 - RJ
Let me see if I got this right. John Howard has won election (and re-election) four times in a row. And now the Australian public is understandably suffering from "Howard-fatigue" because of this. And he's also polling quite badly.
All of the above is correct, correct?
So, why is this guy running for a FIFTH consecutive term as PM? Why doesn't he just step aside and allow the Liberal Party to run someone else (someone fresh, and younger) for that position? Why is he apparently so willing to drag his own party down with him, if he knows he's almost certain to lose (and perhaps lose his own seat in the parliament as well)?
Has he not groomed a credible successor after all these years in power (over a decade)?
I mean, as an American I appreciate Howard's support for the US in these difficult times. But is the man stupid? You cannot PERSONALLY win election FIVE times in a row, especially when your government is unpopular, unless you live in a communist dictatorship or something.
Someone from Australia please explain to me why he hasn't stepped aside like Blair did...for the sake of the party as well as the nation...
14 - STM
The bloke thinks he's a genius. He thinks we all love him, but he's wrong. In short, he's a bit deluded, RJ.
Within his own party, the No 2, the Treasurer, Peter Costello, was told that he'd get the leadership in 2004 but Howard changed his mind. I think Costello, who is a really good economic manager and presides over possibly the strongest performing economy in the western world right now, could have won - at a pinch. There is some enmity between the two over it.
But it's too late now. Howard has buggered it up. He's yesterday's man, and no one's listening anymore to anything the Government has to say.
15 - alessandro nicolo
Marge Simpson: "I'll have coffee."
Australian Bartender: "Beer it is."
I'm not sure how to interpret this, what, with all the Aussisms but it was one fun read.
I think John Howard is related to former Canadian PM Jean Chretien. In fact, the first part of your article made me wonder if I was reading about Canadian politics.
Whatever. That link on You Tube had me choking on my raisin bran. Fucking hilarious. I wish we'd see this at the Oscars or any other stupid awards ceremony. Scorsese should have considered body checking someone like that.
16 - Dr Dreadful
Stan: I'm sure you've heard the new joke that's making the rounds Down Under, but for the benefit of everyone else:
"Did you hear about the disappointing poll Kevin Rudd saw yesterday? It didn't have a gyrating naked woman swinging on it."
LOL.
17 - STM
Hah, yes ... ! Very funny. I have to say though, Doc, it has been an utter hoot, the whole thing.
He really is boring (and being a God-botherer doesn't help) and honestly the last person I would have expected to see busted for going to a lap-dancing club and getting goat-faced on the piss.
He's also fluent in Mandarin and I would have thought that in terms of cultural attractions, the Guggenheim and the MOMA would have been more in keeping with his intellectual (well not pretensions, really :) bent.
I just hope nevertheless he knocks off little Johnny. Enough is enough, fair dinkum. We need a change. Rudd gets my nod just for getting caught.
18 - Clavos
Where did he pick up the Mandarin, Stan?
Is he the son of missionaries, mayhap?
19 - STM
No, Clav, he was a diplomat and also worked for KPMG in China I believe. He has a PhD I think, and is very intellectual, which is why this is all so hilarious. Just the idea of it all is a hoot.
It hasn't harmed hisw chances at all, and because this is Australia, it might even have improved them.
I believe John Howard's only chance now for an election victory is to be busted DUI at 3am on a stolen golf cart.
Otherwise, he's rooted. We are very suspicious of "saints" here.
20 - Jonathan Scanlan
RJ: So, why is this guy running for a FIFTH consecutive term as PM? Why doesn't he just step aside and allow the Liberal Party to run someone else (someone fresh, and younger) for that position? Why is he apparently so willing to drag his own party down with him, if he knows he's almost certain to lose (and perhaps lose his own seat in the parliament as well)?
Has he not groomed a credible successor after all these years in power (over a decade)?
I like what the Rev. Tim Costello said at the national press club. "I'm not sure if you've read Lord of the Rings, but I'm beginning to suspect the Prime Minstership is a bit like the one ring."
The thing is, Howard doesn't seem to respond to public outcry. A few people have actually commented that Howard can't be debated with, and that's why Rudd has been agreeing with Howard on so many policies.
Rudd is positioning himself as someone who listens. And in doing so stealing Howard's thunder.
Rudd stands a very good chance of election, and I support his policies. That an I my self am bored with Howard's face. I'm in no mood to spend a whole half of my lifetime under the same prime minister.
21 - STM
Also Johnathan, I'll bet you 50 bucks no one ever sees his top lip move. Even his eyebrows have more life than his face. And let's not talk about the risky second facial expression.