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The PM had a Beazley moment — Rove who? — this morning, making an awkward start to his whistle-stop tour of Tasmania. In Launceston he forgot the name of the Liberal candidate for the seat of Franklin in the state’s south-east.
She’s Dr Vanessa Goodwin. The chat on ABC radio was agony (To listen to the exchange, more painful in surround sound, click here):
Interviewer: Um, the candidate in Franklin … her name?
(silence)
… the candidate in Franklin Prime Minister?
Howard: I … um I support all of my candidates …
Interviewer: What’s her name?
Howard: Ah, I’ve forgotten.
Dr Goodman, sorry, Goodwin, has obviously become no more memorable since 21 June this year. Workplace relations minister Joe Hockey racked his brain speaking with ABC Hobart (audio here):
Joe Hockey: Well, yeah, I’d say it has a long-term plan in, in trying to get union officials into seats. I think, you know, look, I’ve got a high regard for Harry Quick; I really do. And Harry has asked me to come down again, to visit the seat. I will do that. I think our candidate in Franklin is a, is a very good, very competent candidate.
Tim Cox: What’s her name?
Hockey: She’s - Vanessa - and…
Cox: Vanessa, um, Vanessa.
Hockey: Sorry?
Cox: Sorry what’s, what’s her last name?
Hockey: Sorry, I can’t hear you. Sorry Vanessa…
Cox: Vanessa …
Hockey: … Vanessa Goodwin.
Cox: Vanessa Goodwin.
Hockey: Yeah, of course it’s Vanessa.
Cox: That’s the one. Vanessa Goodwin.
Hockey: Dr Vanessa Goodwin.
Who is by now feeling the love?
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