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| Version 4 | Version 5 |
|---|---|
| Harman appears to back Democrats | Harman appears to back Democrats |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Harriet Harman has appeared to back the Democrats in the US presidential election, despite the government's officially neutral position. | Harriet Harman has appeared to back the Democrats in the US presidential election, despite the government's officially neutral position. |
| The Labour deputy said Republican vice presidential hopeful Sarah Palin was "impressive", but she would not vote for her if she were a US citizen. | The Labour deputy said Republican vice presidential hopeful Sarah Palin was "impressive", but she would not vote for her if she were a US citizen. |
| She said Labour was "aligned" with the "progressive" views of the Democrats. | She said Labour was "aligned" with the "progressive" views of the Democrats. |
| Earlier this month Gordon Brown denied backing Democratic candidate Barack Obama after praising him in an article. | Earlier this month Gordon Brown denied backing Democratic candidate Barack Obama after praising him in an article. |
| On BBC One's Question Time on Thursday, Ms Harman - who is also the equalities minister and long-term campaigner on women's issues - was asked about Mrs Palin's effect on the Republican campaign. | On BBC One's Question Time on Thursday, Ms Harman - who is also the equalities minister and long-term campaigner on women's issues - was asked about Mrs Palin's effect on the Republican campaign. |
| 'Touched a nerve' | 'Touched a nerve' |
| She said: "The official government position is that governments must not, and it's absolutely right, that we shouldn't actually engage in other countries' elections." | She said: "The official government position is that governments must not, and it's absolutely right, that we shouldn't actually engage in other countries' elections." |
| But she went on to say that men in politics underestimated women "at their peril" and while she "strongly" disagreed with many of Mrs Palin's policies, she spoke to women who felt excluded by the political system in the US. | But she went on to say that men in politics underestimated women "at their peril" and while she "strongly" disagreed with many of Mrs Palin's policies, she spoke to women who felt excluded by the political system in the US. |
| I wouldn't vote for her if I was in the States but I think that she is impressive Harriet Harman Profile: Sarah PalinBrown rejects Obama bias claim | I wouldn't vote for her if I was in the States but I think that she is impressive Harriet Harman Profile: Sarah PalinBrown rejects Obama bias claim |
| "I don't agree with her politics but I think that she has touched a nerve and I think that that then places a big challenge to the Democrats to make sure that they, as a party which has long championed equality and equality for women, that they actually match them and gear up their act." | "I don't agree with her politics but I think that she has touched a nerve and I think that that then places a big challenge to the Democrats to make sure that they, as a party which has long championed equality and equality for women, that they actually match them and gear up their act." |
| Asked if she admired Mrs Palin, Ms Harman said she was "tough" adding: "I don't agree with her politics. I wouldn't vote for her if I was in the States but I think that she is impressive. But I would rather see the Democrats getting, you know, an even more impressive woman right up at the front." | Asked if she admired Mrs Palin, Ms Harman said she was "tough" adding: "I don't agree with her politics. I wouldn't vote for her if I was in the States but I think that she is impressive. But I would rather see the Democrats getting, you know, an even more impressive woman right up at the front." |
| "The Labour Party is the sister party of the Democrats and they are progressive views are the ones we are most aligned with but obviously the government position is that we don't get involved, but you asked me the question so I answered it." | "The Labour Party is the sister party of the Democrats and they are progressive views are the ones we are most aligned with but obviously the government position is that we don't get involved, but you asked me the question so I answered it." |
| 'No comment' | |
| She added she was a "very big admirer" of Democrat Hillary Clinton and of Mr Obama. | She added she was a "very big admirer" of Democrat Hillary Clinton and of Mr Obama. |
| Asked about her comments on Friday, the prime minister's spokesman said: "The government position is not to comment on the US elections. The prime minister is not going to comment on the US presidential election." | |
| Earlier this month the prime minister wrote in an article about "progressive politicians" tackling the economic turbulence: "In the electrifying US presidential campaign, it is the Democrats who are generating the ideas to help people through more difficult times." | Earlier this month the prime minister wrote in an article about "progressive politicians" tackling the economic turbulence: "In the electrifying US presidential campaign, it is the Democrats who are generating the ideas to help people through more difficult times." |
| But he later denied endorsing Mr Obama's candidacy, saying he had "admiration" for both him and the Republican candidate John McCain, had "scrupulously" met both and the decision was one for the American people. | But he later denied endorsing Mr Obama's candidacy, saying he had "admiration" for both him and the Republican candidate John McCain, had "scrupulously" met both and the decision was one for the American people. |
| Traditionally British prime ministers do not back one candidate over another. | Traditionally British prime ministers do not back one candidate over another. |
| On Question Time Ms Harman also criticised rebel Labour MPs who have called for a leadership election, accusing them of an "error of judgement". | On Question Time Ms Harman also criticised rebel Labour MPs who have called for a leadership election, accusing them of an "error of judgement". |
| She said an internal contest would be "completely wrong" when people were so concerned about their jobs and finances. | She said an internal contest would be "completely wrong" when people were so concerned about their jobs and finances. |