Categories: uncategorized
Date: 17 April 2005 12:15:24
In recent times leaders of the progressive parties have managed to get a new take on politicians kissing babies: make your own, and then it doesn't look so cliched.
First Our Tone was at it (always the trendsetter in the latest political trick), and now Charles Kennedy. The big question is whether That Nice Charles timed it to coincide with the election or not, as he can't exactly claim that he didn't know the election was on its way. There were a couple of pros and cons to consider though.
The pros is that it makes him look normal and approachable, yet also strong and virile.
The cons is that he had to take a few days paternity leave at a rather important time, and the fact that judging by his performance on the manifesto launch, he really hadn't had enough sleep. Don't know if you heard the conversation when Andrew Marr from the BBC asked him about how much more money people would pay if a local income tax replaced the council tax. His answer could have been interpreted as: 'How am I meant to know something like that when I'm in this state? Ask an accountant if you're bothered, 'cos I'm not.'
And maybe, just maybe this makes him look a bit less professional and potential leadership material than Tony and Calamatous Force.
Imagine the second baby happens when Charles is in No.10. Next day it's a presidential visit, and during the discussions the president asks him for support for an invasion of Iran. Charles says 'What are you asking me for when I'm this bloody tired? Come back in a month. If you need to know now just ask Sir (Men/Min/Mung/Meng) Campell and he'll give you a sensible answer, 'cos I can't.'
Which it could be argued is still a better answer than Our Tone's 'Sure, no problem' and Calamatous' 'Only if I get to kill people personally.' If having babies makes politicians less homicidal this is a Good Thing.