Gleefully celebrating a powerful woman
As news of the ABC’s former journalist Maxine McKew running against HoWARd in his seat of Bennelong filtered through the media I became very excited. At the very least, I thought that this should help to make the time between now and the federal election very interesting.
Upon further reflection, I realised what was invigorating to me. It is what Maxine represents. She’s an intelligent, powerful and formidable woman. I am hopeful that it is this woman who unnerves and perhaps finally unseats, the equally intelligent, powerful and formidable John HoWARd.
It’s a delight for me to see the PM visibly rattled. That it has been done by a presence of a powerful woman is just so delicious. It is so satisfying as HoWARd is as dismissive of women and their potential as he is of all minority groups and a minority group is how he sees women.
In responding to questions about Maxine’s new career, the PM did not display his usual dismissive, paternalistic tone and looked genuinely uncomfortable in discussing future campaigning against Ms Maxine McKew.
I’m sure HoWARd’s advisers have already abandoned a ‘dirtytricks’ campaign against what the ABC has dubbed the Max Factor, as she will have more than enough dirt on this current lot of dirty politicians to provide her with immunity.
This should be interesting and will keep me grinning during the times that HoWARd is particularly insufferable.
Image from here
February 27th, 2007 at 8:40 am
9 months? But I want the election NOW!
February 27th, 2007 at 9:08 am
Things are looking increasingly difficult for Mr Howard.
Iraq going sour
Rudd providing an alternative government
Power plays by Get Up and McKew in his home seat
An inability to accept and deal with climate change
I’m hoping that not only will these see the end of Howard, the neo-liberals (I’m happy to keep the liberals such as Petro and Malcom) and the neo-cons – but it also represents a reorganisation of the values of society – into more caring and concerned world – and the re-empowerment of the left.
I’ll wait and see.
February 27th, 2007 at 9:15 am
I have to try to remain optimistic Dave C, or I would not bother getting out of bed every morning…
February 27th, 2007 at 9:25 am
Horror upon horrors.
If you didn’t get out of bed, I wouldn’t have anything interesting to read in the morning. (Unless of course you have a wireless laptop.)
So stay optimistic. Please.
February 27th, 2007 at 10:17 am
Some days it’s hard to stay optimistic though. I remember I was so very depressed when the Cronulla Riots occurred. Days after I just didn’t want to turn on the TV or listen to the radio or anything. Sometimes, a bit of ‘timeout’ is good… you can then come back reinvigorated and ready to give all the boneheads a good walloping! Well, I know that’s how I feel. 🙂
GO MAXINE!!
February 27th, 2007 at 1:48 pm
she’s a classy lady with a proven intellect, one hell of a dame; Howard’s gotta be irked by it. i notice the Howardhuggers already titilating themselves by referring to her as “Madam Blow-in”, with all the S&M connotations of that phrase. Madam McKew set to discipline Howard! Let’s hope so.
alt. Labor slogan for Benelong: “Class v. Rat’s ass”.
February 28th, 2007 at 6:27 am
Suki, Howard has no option but to mind his manners with McKew. He’ll be walking on eggshells trying to cover his hatred of powerful women and populist politics. Anything he says that even remotely smacks of disrespect of women will instantly become a point for Maxine to jam in the crowbar and prise the old coot apart, limb-by-limb.
February 28th, 2007 at 1:48 pm
Speaking of powerful women, did you see this?
This I think gives you reason to be optimistic.
February 28th, 2007 at 2:33 pm
Thanks Dave C, this does fill me with optimism!
March 3rd, 2007 at 8:21 pm
Well I’m not sure how rattled Howard is, but it was interesting to see that at least two people who have run against Howard have been subject to death threats.
March 12th, 2007 at 12:22 pm
Soooooooooooooooooooki, I think you are right. She has him rattled. In fact, Ruddles had him rattled with his comment about Howard being a security risk to Australia.
Hope you are well and you have those community groups up in Mountains rattled too.
Cheers … from an anonymous reincarnation, but you will probably guess … I have had to “regenerated myself” due to an impending heavy case re the exposure of an inside trader on my blog – will be in Court on Friday. Watch the SMH for a story by Kate McClyntock, maybe Saturday.