Opinion: Have to be running to be in the running
Opinion: A century ago anyone running in the streets in the early morning with no apparent destination would be locked up as the village idiot. Today we elect them to high public office.
Analysis
Don't miss out on the headlines from Analysis. Followed categories will be added to My News.
A CENTURY ago any individual running through city streets in the early hours of the morning with no apparent destination would be locked up as the village idiot.
Today we elect them to high public office and nod approvingly as they squander energy which would be better used in the intellectual jousts associated with an election campaign.
If you enjoy apportioning blame for irritating trends, place the responsibility for the predilection modern politicians have for high visibility exercise regimes on Chairman Mao, who started swimming across the Yangtze for the cameras in the 1960s.
LATEST: Follow the campaign trail here
In Mao’s wake came US president Bill Clinton jogging the Washington ring road, Australian prime minister Tony Abbott speeding down Canberra’s Red Hill on his bicycle and Abbott’s predecessor John Howard ambulating rapidly down footpaths, like an ageing criminal fleeing a crime scene.
In 2016 it’s Foreign Minister Julie Bishop who has emerged as the Forrest Gump of the election campaign, often putting in at least 5km of jogging before her 6.45am chat with the Prime Minister, fuelled by little more than a handful of nuts and a cup of tea.
“I started making running part of my life a long time ago, when I was with (legal firm) Clayton Utz in Perth and all the lawyers would be having a Tim Tam and a cup of coffee for lunch at their desk and I would say, ‘let’s all go for a run!’ ’’ she says.
That positive energy and life-affirming demeanour which has never abandoned the Foreign Minister, and which can be deeply irritating at 6.45am to less optimistic souls, was on display yesterday as she pounded her way in the early morning light, literally running toward a run.
Ms Bishop galloped from the Hilton Hotel through the Botanic Gardens to join around 30 equally bright-eyed Coalition supporters who then hurtled across the Goodwill Bridge, cheerily storming the electorate once held by Kevin Rudd just after 7am.
Along the way the Foreign Minister charmed all in her path including Kangaroo Point couple Shirley and Brian Gallagher, who appeared to draw inspiration from the very presence of this political dynamo whose mantra is: “Show them all we are running for office, and fit for government.”
Originally published as Opinion: Have to be running to be in the running
Maiden: Albo’s biggest call of 2025 hangs in the (bank) balance
The Coalition is putting its money on Labor going all out to avoid having to bringing down another Budget, writes Samantha Maiden.
Albo should be wary of Musk’s next move
Elon Musk, the richest man in the world, is not afraid of trolling heads of state, as European leaders are currently finding out. It could be Anthony Albanese’s turn next, writes Julie Cross.