The date for the Federal election has not been announced yet, but the smear campaign has begun. On 19 August 2007 The Sunday Telegraph carried the front page headlines; "RUDD'S STRIP CLUB NIGHT".In September 2003 Rudd visited a New York strip club, Scores. He was allegedly warned against inappropriate behaviour (touching the dancers). At the time, Rudd was representing Australia at the United Nations and was the Shadow foreign affairs minister.
Rudd confirmed he went to the club but could not recall what happened there because he "had too much to drink". Labor MP Warren Snowden visited Scores with Rudd. He said Rudd had not been warned for touching dancers. He continued,"We stayed for a reasonably short length of time. Nothing untoward happened and we left."
Rudd said; "If my behaviour caused any offence to anybody whatsoever that evening, I of course whole heartedly apologise." He said he had made an "error of judgment" and that he'll "take a belting in the opinion polls."In damage control mode, Rudd claimed he had only visited a strip club once before, in his 20's, while at university. He also said he had only been badly drunk once before at his 35th birthday party at his home.
Asked if this was the Liberals trying to smear him, Rudd replied;"It's a question you should put to Mr Downer and his staff, but, my responsibility is simply to be upfront and accountable for my own actions." Downer had allegedly used it as a private taunt in Parliament. A spokesman for Downer quoted the minister as saying; "I will not dignify that with a response."
The scandal has been reported in all news mediums: online, print, television and radio. Martin O'Shannessy, chief executive of Newspoll, said;"This is one of those issues that will take people's attention off policy for a while but...unless there are continuing and deeper mysteries coming out of this... it will probably have a fairly short life in the media and a fairly short life in the polls."
The Daily Telegraph, http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,22274210-5001028,00.html
The Sydney Morning Herald, 19 August 2007, http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/kiss-and-makeup-for-rudd/2007/08/19/1187462091914.html
The Sunday Telegraph, http://www.news.com.au/sundaytelegraph/story/0,,22270501-5001021,00.html
The Sunday Telegraph, http://www.news.com.au/sundaytelegraph/story/0,22049,22270830-5001028.html
Rudd confirmed he went to the club but could not recall what happened there because he "had too much to drink". Labor MP Warren Snowden visited Scores with Rudd. He said Rudd had not been warned for touching dancers. He continued,"We stayed for a reasonably short length of time. Nothing untoward happened and we left."
Rudd said; "If my behaviour caused any offence to anybody whatsoever that evening, I of course whole heartedly apologise." He said he had made an "error of judgment" and that he'll "take a belting in the opinion polls."In damage control mode, Rudd claimed he had only visited a strip club once before, in his 20's, while at university. He also said he had only been badly drunk once before at his 35th birthday party at his home.
Asked if this was the Liberals trying to smear him, Rudd replied;"It's a question you should put to Mr Downer and his staff, but, my responsibility is simply to be upfront and accountable for my own actions." Downer had allegedly used it as a private taunt in Parliament. A spokesman for Downer quoted the minister as saying; "I will not dignify that with a response."
The scandal has been reported in all news mediums: online, print, television and radio. Martin O'Shannessy, chief executive of Newspoll, said;"This is one of those issues that will take people's attention off policy for a while but...unless there are continuing and deeper mysteries coming out of this... it will probably have a fairly short life in the media and a fairly short life in the polls."
The Daily Telegraph, http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,22274210-5001028,00.html
The Sydney Morning Herald, 19 August 2007, http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/kiss-and-makeup-for-rudd/2007/08/19/1187462091914.html
The Sunday Telegraph, http://www.news.com.au/sundaytelegraph/story/0,,22270501-5001021,00.html
The Sunday Telegraph, http://www.news.com.au/sundaytelegraph/story/0,22049,22270830-5001028.html
All photos are from The Daily Telegraph website.
2 comments:
Hi Karen, I absolutely love the picture of Kevin Rudd! Very original!
I feel sorry for Rudd. It's probably nothing against him personally to the Liberal Government, but rather what he represents - something they fear, loathe, and feel intimidated by - competition.
Digging up enough background information on anyone and twisting it has got to be the lowest point any politician can go to to save his seat.
I actually think I feel more sorry for Howard than for Rudd - what a sad, sad man.
I wish the Liberal Party the best of luck in trying to find more information on Rudd as they stall the election indefinitely...
Cheers,
Melissa Sequeira
Very well researched blog Karen.You've also picked a topic that is sure to be popular with blog readers around this time. who kows you might end up being one of those million-hit blog success stories.
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