August 21 2007: Down To Our Level
Filed under Politics
Over the past few days, Australian news services have exploded over the revelation that four years ago, Opposition Leader Kevin Rudd of the Labor Party visited Scores gentlemen’s club in New York whilst out on a drinking night with the editor of the New York Post. “ZOMG!” they say. “A politician at a strip club?! Career suicide!”
I honestly don’t see what the big deal is. If anything, it just makes him more endearing to the average working class Australian, because he’s no longer just a upper-class pompous git of a politician with false promises. He’s received lap dances! He goes to strip clubs! He’s one of us, and we can relate to him now!
In fact, I think that Bob Brown, the leader of the Greens party summed the ridiculous furor over the situation up best:
Four years ago Kevin Rudd got drunk and took himself into a strip club. Four years ago John Howard, sober, took Australia into the Iraq war. I think the electorate can judge which one did the more harm.
Word brother. Word.
11 Responses to “Down To Our Level”
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I fully agree.
Vera on August 21 2007 #
I guess it’s because people expect politicians to be something of a role model, so they can point them out to innocent little kids and go, “See, politicians don’t _______________, and you shouldn’t either!” Which might work if little kids even knew what politicians were.
Kycoo on August 21 2007 #
Agreed. I just don’t see what the big deal is.
Jordie on August 21 2007 #
Labor was going to win anyway, strip club or no strip club.
Tracey on August 21 2007 #
Lol if politicians do things normal citizens do, they “sink to our level”. No, not really. It’d make me feel he’s more of a human. Come on, politicians have lives too!
Rilla on August 21 2007 #
I agree with what’s been said, that it does him human! BUT, he was on a taxpayer funded trip wasn’t he? That’s the only part I’m slightly uncomfortable with, only slightly - seen as though everyone is entitled to go out and relax after work. :)
kat on August 21 2007 #
I agree - just because the man’s a politician doesn’t mean he can’t do ordinary things. I suppose some people might think it’s morally wrong to go to a strip club, but I personally don’t see the big problem. :)
Beth on August 21 2007 #
I agree. I think things like strip clubs and brothel going should only need to be brought up in order to prove hypocrisy. If said politician had previously condemned the sex industry, or extra-marital sex (or relating to sex) or people who visit strip clubs, then I think facts like this is important to be brought up to point out hypocrisies in the politician. That would undermine his credibility IMO.
Belinda on August 22 2007 #
Personally, I don’t think it’s that big of a deal, either, but I can definitely see how it would be damaging to him as a politician. If Australia is anything like America, the politicians are supposed to have really good morals and visiting a strip club is ‘bad’ for their family image.
Belinda on August 22 2007 #
I’d vote for him!
Nellie on August 22 2007 #
Something similar happened to an American politician a couple of years ago and everyone made such a big deal about it! But yeah, if anything, I think it makes them seem less like rich, pompous men who live in their suits and make laws for people whose conditions they don’t even understand… It makes them human. But I’m just hoping he didn’t use your tax dollars to tip the stripper! :P
Felisa on August 22 2007 #