Wednesday, February 25, 2009

Let's club this dumb cliche to death, right now.

When Kruddy got up as leader of the opposition in December 2006 the commentariat had a field day.

“Dull”, “egg-head”, “pale shadow of the Tories”, “will fall apart during the election campaign” were some of the lines trotted out.

“Hang on”, I thought “this sounds familiar”, so I had a look back at some of the pieces that appeared in the UK media in July 1994 when Tony Blair became leader of the Labour Party.

Sure enough, the same clichés popped up; “dull”, “egg-head”, “pale shadow of the Tories”, “will fall apart during the election campaign”.

It therefore pleases me tremendously that Blair went on to win three general elections before retiring as PM.

The media never “got” Blair and they don’t “get” Rudd (both intelligent, highly complex politicians who also were/are widely popular). Witness, for example, this particularly stupid piece in the Age recently or Crikey referring to “Kevin Chavez” – a reference to the authoritarian Venezuelan President, Hugo Chavez. I'm also sure they'll be using the same tired arguments from now until the time Kruddy finally decides to pull the pin

Veteran journalist Mungo MacCallum, in his book about the 2007 election Poll Dancing, was struck by the difference between the Rudd of the gallery (“boring”, “dull” etc, etc) and the Rudd on the campaign trail (warm, relaxed, easy-going, popular).

I think the gallery, in large part, hates Rudd because he’s smarter than just about all of them – and lets it show. Rudd also knows that the vast majority of the Canberra journos are absolutely irrelevant and prefers to talk directly to the punters, which prompted petulant foot-stamping from the likes of Barry Cassidy when Kruddy declined to show up on Insiders but appeared on Rove instead.

And I’m sure the (what I’m going to call for the lack of a more suitable local insult) Guardianistas will continue their irrelevant bleating for the duration of the Rudd government as they did for the Blair government; especially these pompous knuckle-heads.

Here’s a message chaps – nobody in Canberra really cares what you think. They don’t give a flying fuck if you call yourselves “citizen journalists” or “the new media” or “Captain Walt the Wonderful”. You want to witter away, feel free but don’t kid yourself you’re doing anything useful or important.

32 comments:

wari lasi said...

Having a Kruddy love day today Ramon?

Speaking of Crikey, have you seen the huge stoush going on between the Grods people and the Bolt brethren?

Ramon Insertnamehere said...

Every day is a Kruddy love day, Wari.

No, I haven't been following that particular stoush.

I can't imagine anything duller.

Anonymous said...

Rudd also knows that the vast majority of the Canberra journos are absolutely irrelevant

That said, I rather like Annabel Crabb's columns in the SMH. She usually manages to find a line of humour in the usual daily yawn of Question Time.

Ramon Insertnamehere said...

Oh, I don't mind Annabel Crabb.

My point (and Wari, feel free to disagree) is that Kev is obviously a highly intelligent man who is genuinely interested in ideas and for the MSM and some blogs to dismiss his 7,000 word essay in The Monthly as "pure spin" is just plain stupid.

wari lasi said...

I think I told you Ramon, I saw him at a Business Council breakfast here and he does come across as a decent guy. And he didn't lick his lips anywhere near as often as I thought he would.

My main problem with him is that he's standing in the way of my Julia being the PM. But as Mrs L says, "Sure she seems like a strong lady, but that voice!"

squib said...

I must say I preferred Crean

Ramon Insertnamehere said...

Simon or Frank, Squib?

squib said...

Simsy of course

Ramon Insertnamehere said...

Sime's a love machine, no arguments there.

Melba said...

I think I preferred Crean as well. Rudd looks just a little too like Howard to me; he has that small man appearance, which is fine unless combined with glasses and pale hair. For some reason.

And agreed about Julia's voice. While she looks great, and rocks question time, she sounds like someone's nana.

squib said...

Has Julia had a make-over recently? She looks different, like more glam

Ramon Insertnamehere said...

Sounding like you've just knocked-off from a hard day on the factory floor is not necessarily a bad thing for a Labor MP.

Anonymous said...

I think we've just discovered the two people in Australia that contributed to Simon's Crean's low positive rating.

After Latham imploded I rooted for Rudd to get the opposition leader job, because I could see that he actually had some brains, but sadly Kim Beasley was offered a third tilt at the job.

Oh, and never fear, Wari. Julia is to Kevin as Bligh was to Beattie. Kruddy will hand over after 10 golden years of prosperity, and Julia will then lead us all on to a new golden age.

Unknown said...

And she'll lead the rangas of Australia in a bid to take over the world.

When that happens, all you non-rangas better look out. If you're lucky we'll make you our slaves.

Ramon Insertnamehere said...

I fear this Ranga Revolution.

Anonymous said...

If the rangas take over, will the new Australian flag be coloured red or blue?

Melba said...

Ramon, I'm not talking about the way she talks, I'm talking about her voice. It sounds quavery to me and therefore she sounds old, like a nana.

Ramon Insertnamehere said...

Can't say I've noticed that, Melba.

Is it just in the Parliament or across the board?

Unknown said...

I fear this Ranga Revolution.

As well you should.

If the rangas take over, will the new Australian flag be coloured red or blue?

It'll be red but everyone will call it bluey.

Melba said...

It's across the board, radio, everything, Ramon. My brother-in-law also hasn't noticed it, so he said when I mentioned it to him. Maybe men don't hear it; they are distracted by her intelligence and hair?

Ramon Insertnamehere said...

they are distracted by her intelligence and hair?

Yes.

Yes, we are.

Unknown said...

they are distracted by her intelligence and hair?

That would be Phase 1 of the Ranga Revolution. Distract them with our hair. Works every time.

Perseus said...

As much as I still have deep feelings for her, Imaginary Julia Gillard (IJG) and I split up some time ago. I'm back with Imaginary Princess Mary (IPM) now. I always run back to her. God she's hot.

When the Ranga Revolution takes place, I'll skip it to Denmark.

Unknown said...

What makes you think you'll be safe from rangas in Denmark? We'll be everywhere, dude. Everywhere.

I speak the truth, you know it.

Melba said...

I admit, Princess Mary is fair, Perseus,she has a lovely, retroussé profile, and she can put an outfit together. And she's snagged a lovely future boy-king.

squib said...

Awww and Freddy's speech had me in tears

I love you Mary. Come, let us go! Come, let us see!

It was like a Dick and Jane reader. It was so so so lovely

catlick said...

"Distract them with our hair. Works every time."

Anyone who has witnessed the vision splendid of cheezel legs emerging from short pants will attest to this truth.

Ramon Insertnamehere said...

I think it's very important to try and stay on good terms with imaginary girl friends.

Imaginary P.J.Harvey and I still send each other imaginary Christmas cards.

Perseus said...

What happened to poetry slam Friday?

Sheesh Ramon. LIFT YOUR GAME! MORE POSTS!

Melba said...

You can talk, Perseus.

Double sheesh.

Louche said...

I heard an interesting opinion on ABC radio the other day, that politicians are getting their break through Sunrise and Lateline now rather than the press gallery.

I first noticed Rudd for his excellent Lateline appearances. What this means though, is watch out for Joe Hockey!

Ramon Insertnamehere said...

What, people are actually folowing this thing?

Blimey!

OK, next week's "Poetry Slam Friday" will be Emily Dickinson.

Because I think it's time the chicks had a go.