What Alexander Downer really thinks of Penny Wong
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A rumour has been doing the rounds since election weekend that Alexander Downer made some disparaging comments about Labor Senator Penny Wong into an open mike when he was waiting for his Insiders interview last Sunday. His interview, during which he remained composed, if a little tetchy, made headlines later because the outgoing Foreign Affairs Minister expressed disappointment that the party didn’t receive a bounce in the polls off the back of the Northern Territory Intervention. Other than that slightly uncomfortable comment, and his insistence that the only reason the party was voted out was the “It’s Time” factor, Downer seemed fairly dignified in defeat. But what was he saying before his interview? Crikey understands that as Senator Penny Wong was being interviewed, Downer was yelling obscenities. As Downer was being miked up, he kept reacting to Wong’s comments. Nothing was put down on tape, but Crikey understands that at one point Downer yelled, in reference to the newly appointed Minister for Climate Change and Water, ”Shut up you foul mouthed b-tch.” We assume that was a strictly off the record comment. But given that the Member for Mayo may not be sticking around for much longer, Crikey thought we’d revisit some of the more memorable on-the-record Attack Spaniel lines about other members of the Labor party:
Perhaps Penny Wong won’t, but Crikey (and Condi) are going to miss you Mr Downer. |
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18 Comments
Alexander Downer, our longest serving Foreign Affairs Minister, is one of the most impressive figures on the modern political stage. Intellect, wit, charm, sensibility, decency - what you want in publci figures. Perhaps why he looks born to rule to some.
If Downer said that, the we are well rid of him. Another Downer…recall Haneef case::
‘A request for an apology seemed to offend Foreign Minister Alexander Downer.
“What do you expect them to do, fall on the ground and grovel - eat dirt.
Are we really setting new media standards or just for those on the right? Usual media bias is not enough so now lie on TV (7.30 Report - Costello notes) & report passing comments made off camera. Yet kept Evans/Kernot affair hidden & beat up Don Randall.
In an ABC TV ‘Australian Story’ profile of Downer last year Downer called Rudd ‘the vainest politician’ he’d ever known. But then, almost in the same breath, he revealed the extent of his own vanity by stating he always found time each day to read fat folders of press cuttings covering all his comings and goings put together by one of his staff! And this from the man who told the AWB enquiry he had been far too busy to read the numerous messages sent to him by various of his overseas posts warning of AWB’s sanctions busting!
His performance on Australian Story was “born to rule” personified. When his wife stated with some amazement that his chief of staff was catholic (but still a good bloke) it became very clear where this couple were coming from.
Sounds like Downer is the ‘Foul mouthed b…tch’ to me.
Perhaps Alexander might be a tad blunt with his comments but there are just as many examples of this type of vitriol from those on the left. Better that they toss nasty words at each, if they must, than IEDs!
The positive side of people like Downer is that it’s good to have someone around that you can point out and say “See, there are people who think they are born to rule, and this is how they behave when they feel a little bit of discomfort”
I will never know who I hate the most, Tony Abbott or Alexander Downer. On this occasion I didn’t think Downer was showing hauteur; I thought he looked as if his fishnet tights were cutting into his vitals. Ole, ole, ole.
Of all the odious people on the former Government’s front bench, Downer was probably the most loathsome. A petulant, spiteful dimwit , is an opinion shared by just about everyone I know.
What is it about conservative men? Is abusing labor women their favourite past time? eg Tony Abbott and Alexander Downer. Boy, these gals must really get under your skin. Ha Ha….
downer is a notorious “down-low” type , his white upper class ego would be threatened by a fellow south australian who is now the 2nd most powerful woman in government and an asian-australian lesbian to boot. i love”petulant puppy hauteur “
To say that Downer was “composed” in his ‘Insiders’ interview does not really capture the spirit that oozed out from it. Downer was full of that ‘I am surrounded by fools’ petulant puppy hauteur that the Australian electorate has grown to love so much.
I will never know who I hate the most, Tony Abbott or Alexander Downer. On this occasion I didn’t think Downer was showing hauteur; I thought he looked as if his fishnet tights were cutting into his vitals. Ole, ole, ole!
I can remember when the Tampa was subjected to an SAS boarding party and Downer (he doesn’t even need a nickname, hehehe) was red faced and blustering on possibly the ABC’s 7.30 report.?? His rhetoric about terrorists coming here in mufti were ridiculous.
Alexander Downer an intellectual? Obviously you have never had the misfortune to read one of his letters to the newspapers. The man’s syntax is appalling. He has no depth, no compassion and no imagination. I think he looks as if he was born to serve.
the whole cabal are lying cheating hypocritical grubs (or rodents), but downer must just about top the lot for breath-taking hypoprisy, egomania, vanity - combined with a total lack of any brains
the comment about his French lessons is a side splitter
Would really miss the giggle from watching Downer stamp his childish feet if he were not around in the public eye. We all need a little light entertainment