"No one is the suppository of all wisdom". Certainly not you Mr Abbott!

[i-need-a-martini]

This is what he said yesterday to a group of Liberal supporters (well who else). What a prime time goose.

And what a bunch of geese we will look when he represents us internationally.

“No one,” Tony Abbott told a Melbourne gathering of Liberal Party faithful, “however smart, however well-educated, however experienced … is the suppository of all wisdom”.

Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/federal-election-2013/liberals-squirm-as-abbott-refers-to-the...

[izabsmiling]

I didn't know that there are different kind of Political Gaffes .

A Kinsley gaffe is when a political gaffe reveals some truth that a politician didn't intend to admit.[7][8] The term comes from journalist Michael Kinsley, who said, "A gaffe is when a politician tells the truth - some obvious truth he isn't supposed to say."[9][10]

Typically, it refers to a politician inadvertently saying something publicly that they legitimately believe is true but have not fully analyzed the consequences of publicly stating such. Another definition is that they privately believe it to be true, realize the dire consequences of saying it, and inadvertently uttering in public the unutterable.[11] 

Another alternative definition is a politicians saying what is on his/her mind— this may or may not be inadvertent— thereby leading to a ritualized 'gaffe dance' between candidates. While exhibiting umbrage or shock, and playing on the mistake, the 'offended candidate' must not exhibit anything resembling glee.[12][13] 

A propensity to concentrate on so-called 'gaffes' in campaigns has been criticized as a journalistic device that can lead to distraction from real issues.[A] The Kinsley gaffe is said to be a species of the genera 'political gaffe.'[4]

Kinsley himself posed the question: "Why should something a politician says by accident automatically be taken as a better sign of his or her real thinking than something he or she says on purpose?"[13]

The New York Times's term Kinsley gaffe does not differentiate between intentional and inadvertent (accidental) truth-telling, some of which may be "excited utterances"'. [B]

Memorable Gaffes by Country 

Australia

• On August 8, 2013, at a Liberal Party function in Melbourne as part of the 2013 Federal Election campaign, Australian Opposition Leader Tony Abbott, criticising Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, said "No one, however smart, however well-educated, however experienced, is the suppository of all wisdom." The word he meant was "repository". It did not take long for the clip of Mr Abbott's gaffe to be featured on the websites of some of the world's biggest news organisations.[14]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Political_gaffe

[i-need-a-martini]

Lol! That was quick.

Did you notice that Abbott has managed to fall under all the categories of gaffes?

[*crikey*mate*]

meh - should he become PM, he can just change the definition, seems to be how at least one past PM operated.

[icyfroth]

---

@purplecarrot-top wrote:

I worked for a gay couple in 1990. So it is a long standing "fashion". I think being Catholic has a lot to do with the way he feels. I am Catholic and it took me a while to come around to accepting it.

As for Mr Rudd everyone is entitled to change their mind.  Of course he may have done it to garner votes but he is now committed to doing what he said.

---

Hi purps 🙂

I don't think he meant being gay as the fashion of the day, I think he was particularly referring to Gay marriage as the fashion of the day.

Certainly being gay has been around since the year dot.

[azureline**]

then he should have said that Icy?

[icyfroth]

I didn't think that could be misunderstood, Az.

[izabsmiling]

It perhaps would be worse if he had chosen Religion as his profession .

Imagine a Catholic Minister saying "The suppository is reserved for the consecrated Host from Maundy Thursday until Good Friday"

It was quick Martini and yes I did notice ...I think 'watch this space' may be apt ?

[azureline**]

I misread your post, sorry, yes, he did mean gay marriage, not being gay.

[isabellerbookseller]

crikey!

[cherry*135]

How can Gay Marriage be the fashion of the moment anyway?

That infers that gay people all want to rush into gay marriage at present but next year  or  in 5 years time they won't bother doing that?

It is something gay people have been seeking for a long time.

Is it usual for Leaders of  Political parties to travel around meeting people with their daughter (or son) by their side?

Tony Abbott denies saying same-sex marriage is 'fashion of the moment'

He went on to explain why he did not believe marriage equality was inevitable, likening the push to the failed bid for Australia to become a republic.

"There were many a few years ago who kept telling us a republic is inevitable," he said.

"If this country lasts for a thousand years quite possibly at some point we might be a republic, but I don't think a republic is inevitable anytime soon and similarly I don't see same sex marriage as inevitable."

Labor frontbencher Bill Shorten says Mr Abbott's comments demonstrate a black and white view of the world.

"We've now got colour TV Mr Abbott, not just black and white TV," he said.

"Mr Abbott if some people want to live their lives in a different manner to the manner in which you live yours, frankly if it's not bothering you or me why should we feel hassled by it."

Abbott concedes 'sex appeal' remark was 'old-fashioned'

Mr Abbott has conceded his comments yesterday that a female Liberal candidate had "sex appeal" were "old-fashioned".

...............

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-08-14/abbott-denies-saying-gay-marriage-is-the-fashion-of-the-moment...