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Tony Abbott: the Barack Obama antidote? | Tony Abbott: the Barack Obama antidote? |
(34 minutes later) | |
The last thing the United States probably needs right now is another Republican presidential candidate. | The last thing the United States probably needs right now is another Republican presidential candidate. |
The race is already chock-a-block with conservative white middle-aged men. | |
But if pledging an entirely different vision to Barack Obama is a key credential of any serious contender, the Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott would slot quite nicely into the Republican field (notwithstanding his monarchist leanings). | But if pledging an entirely different vision to Barack Obama is a key credential of any serious contender, the Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott would slot quite nicely into the Republican field (notwithstanding his monarchist leanings). |
Who knows what was discussed in the intimate moments of chitchat when the two men met last November at the G20 in Brisbane? (You'd have to ask the koalas.) | Who knows what was discussed in the intimate moments of chitchat when the two men met last November at the G20 in Brisbane? (You'd have to ask the koalas.) |
But you can't imagine the leaders see eye to eye on much. | But you can't imagine the leaders see eye to eye on much. |
When Obama says yes, Abbott cries no. | When Obama says yes, Abbott cries no. |
When Obama turns left, Abbott veers right. | When Obama turns left, Abbott veers right. |
"Barry" goes for shrimp. Tony orders the prawns. | "Barry" goes for shrimp. Tony orders the prawns. |
His legacy in mind, Mr Obama has recently chalked up the legalisation of gay marriage and a serious drive to climate change. | His legacy in mind, Mr Obama has recently chalked up the legalisation of gay marriage and a serious drive to climate change. |
Meanwhile, Mr Abbott is blocking attempts to introduce same-sex marriage in Australia and has said environmental concerns cannot take priority over economic ones when it comes to tackling global warming. | |
The gay marriage issue in Australia is an interesting one, not least because Tony Abbott, and indeed politicians in general, are out of touch with public opinion. | The gay marriage issue in Australia is an interesting one, not least because Tony Abbott, and indeed politicians in general, are out of touch with public opinion. |
Polls show the majority of Australians support same-sex marriage. | Polls show the majority of Australians support same-sex marriage. |
And that's why it's a potentially dangerous issue for Mr Abbott who admits to feeling "a bit threatened" by homosexuality - even though his own sister Christine is a lesbian. | And that's why it's a potentially dangerous issue for Mr Abbott who admits to feeling "a bit threatened" by homosexuality - even though his own sister Christine is a lesbian. |
And it's not just the public Tony Abbott is out of sync with. | |
Some MPs within his own Liberal Party are in favour of legalising gay marriage. | |
So if the prime minister continues to deny his parliamentary colleagues a free conscience vote on the issue, he risks alienating some within his own party. | So if the prime minister continues to deny his parliamentary colleagues a free conscience vote on the issue, he risks alienating some within his own party. |
Of course, in both Australia and the United States much of this comes down to political number crunching rather than personal soul searching. | Of course, in both Australia and the United States much of this comes down to political number crunching rather than personal soul searching. |
It's important to remember that Mr Obama didn't come out firmly in favour of gay marriage until 2012. | It's important to remember that Mr Obama didn't come out firmly in favour of gay marriage until 2012. |
Was this because his opinions on the matter had "evolved"? Or was it because his pollsters and spin doctors were telling him being anti-gay marriage was no longer a net vote winner in modern America? | Was this because his opinions on the matter had "evolved"? Or was it because his pollsters and spin doctors were telling him being anti-gay marriage was no longer a net vote winner in modern America? |
You could say the same in the United Kingdom where in 2015 it would seem very old hat for a leader of a mainstream political party to oppose gay marriage. | You could say the same in the United Kingdom where in 2015 it would seem very old hat for a leader of a mainstream political party to oppose gay marriage. |
But in Australia, Mr Abbott is perhaps calculating that the political maths do not yet persuade him to change his position. | But in Australia, Mr Abbott is perhaps calculating that the political maths do not yet persuade him to change his position. |
While the majority of Australians support gay marriage, in key marginal constituencies, crucial to electoral success, that is not necessarily the case. | While the majority of Australians support gay marriage, in key marginal constituencies, crucial to electoral success, that is not necessarily the case. |
And while the opposition Labor leader, Bill Shorten, has pledged a bill to introduce gay marriage within 100 days of being elected, many MPs in marginal seats within his own party might not necessarily back him. | And while the opposition Labor leader, Bill Shorten, has pledged a bill to introduce gay marriage within 100 days of being elected, many MPs in marginal seats within his own party might not necessarily back him. |
Gay marriage is not an entirely left/right issue in Australia. | Gay marriage is not an entirely left/right issue in Australia. |
If we turn to the issue of climate change, Mr Abbott and Mr Obama are also far from singing from the same hymn sheet. | If we turn to the issue of climate change, Mr Abbott and Mr Obama are also far from singing from the same hymn sheet. |
Announcing his action plan to tackle global warming this month, the US leader said climate change was the greatest threat the world faced. | Announcing his action plan to tackle global warming this month, the US leader said climate change was the greatest threat the world faced. |
Compare that to Tony Abbott this week as he pledged to cut carbon emissions by at least 26% by 2030, a target the Greens party called "pathetically low." | |
"The last thing we want to do is protect the environment and at the same damage the economy," said Mr Abbott. | "The last thing we want to do is protect the environment and at the same damage the economy," said Mr Abbott. |
Doesn't sound quite such a committed tree-hugger as Mr Obama does he? | Doesn't sound quite such a committed tree-hugger as Mr Obama does he? |
Of course you could argue that Tony Abbott is just being refreshingly honest. | Of course you could argue that Tony Abbott is just being refreshingly honest. |
After all, behind closed doors, most world leaders, and indeed most people, would probably admit they care more about a strong economy than tackling climate change. | After all, behind closed doors, most world leaders, and indeed most people, would probably admit they care more about a strong economy than tackling climate change. |
And that's one reason why it's important not to underestimate Tony Abbott. | And that's one reason why it's important not to underestimate Tony Abbott. |
While his critics are quick to mock him for what they see as his gaffes or outrageous remarks, politically he seems to thrive on it. | While his critics are quick to mock him for what they see as his gaffes or outrageous remarks, politically he seems to thrive on it. |
Going back to those US Republican candidates, you could say Tony Abbott has something of the Donald Trump about him. | Going back to those US Republican candidates, you could say Tony Abbott has something of the Donald Trump about him. |
Both men trumpet their "plain speaking" and trash "political correctness." | Both men trumpet their "plain speaking" and trash "political correctness." |
Trump currently leads the Republican Presidential race. | Trump currently leads the Republican Presidential race. |
And if there were to be an election in Australia tomorrow, there's a fair chance Tony could come out on top too. | And if there were to be an election in Australia tomorrow, there's a fair chance Tony could come out on top too. |