This latest ‘leak’ of a blooper video showing Kevin Rudd swearing repeatedly is interesting on a few levels.
On the one hand, it’s remarkable to think that this kind of internal intellectual property could be so brazenly released. If I was Julia Gillard, I would immediately call upon the Federal Police to investigate the leak. This lapse in security is just not tolerable.
On the other hand, it’s an exercise in cultural analysis to try and work out whether the leak will damage Rudd’s reputation, or in fact, improve his image. Us Aussies seem to like the image of a swearing, drinking, sports-loving larrikin, and in many ways, this video helps show the humanity of a man who has a greater natural affinity with the chess club than the footy club.
Maybe the answer comes in the reality of the inevitable leadership spill. It will be the sitting ALP politicians who decide on this ballot, not the happy little Vegemites who make up the voting public. Perhaps the real aim of the leak was to remind the caucus of the true, behind-the-scenes Rudd, so that they remember the past and don’t repeat history.
But this is nothing new to them. Most ALP politicians seem to hate Rudd, but because they love their job more than anything, they might be happy to swallow this bitter pill.
Interesting times ahead in Australia Federal politics.
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Indeed, mate. I’d like to think that the ALP Caucus has seen what that potty-mouthed megalomaniac is capable of – and they’ll relegate him to the back bench.
Not that I’m a great admirer of Gillard, Abbott or any of the other conscienceless clowns who govern us at present.
As my dear Mum reminds me, we get the Government we pray for – or the one we fail to pray for and thus deserve.
Hey Jason,
As I said earlier, it will certainly be interesting to see just what happens in the coming weeks. Nothing is off the table, and anything is possible!
I think what many of us are disappointed about is that Rudd is a professing Christian who, as you say, has a ‘potty mouth’. It’s an unfortunate diminishing of his Christian witness.
Mind you, if I had cameras following me all the time, I would do and say things that I would later regret. No Christian is perfect, and the sins we commit knowingly and unknowingly only remind us of the need to continue to seek forgiveness from our heavenly Father, in Jesus’ name.
Maybe the then-PM was having a shocking day, and the behaviour in the YouTube video was unusual and out of character. But, given other things that have been reported, I wouldn’t be confident that this was a one-off.
Thanks also for the reminder to keep praying for our pollies. God is sovereign, and also uses the prayers we pray for our leaders… both good and evil. Let’s keep praying for our Prime Minister Julia Gillard, whether we voted for her or not.
Jodie.
Jodie.