a lot of hoo-hah

Am American vice-president once described his job as  being ‘not worth a bucket of warm spit’.

A pretty vulgar description but it graphically showed you what he thought about the bridesmaid’s job.

It’s something that must also cross the mind of every president’s wife, the woman they call The First Lady, and also the wife of every Australian Prime Minister.

They are unelected but increasingly asked to perform in public. They are really not answerable to the people and yet any gaff or perceived slight is raked over and can make headline news. Even after their husband’s leave office.

In Britain Cherie Blair, wife of Prime Minister Tony, is in the news this week because she reportedly called his apparent heir apparent a liar at the Labor conference in Manchester.

In the United States some First Ladies deliberately take up a cause. A health or educational issue. In Jackie Kennedy’s case it was worthy but a bit self-indulgent. She was into preserving  America’s heritage which consisted mainly of expensively restoring the White House where she lived.

In Australia the role of PMs wife has never been defined. And cannot be. You never knew where Dame Patty Menzies stood on any issue. Sonia McMahon’s most memorable moment was when she wore that thigh-high dress to the White House.  Annita Keating was a private person who shone when she eloquently spoke in several languages in Monte Carlo in support of Sydney’s successful bid for the 2000 Olympics. 

Janette Howard is regarded as a manipulate power behind John Howard’s throne and his closest adviser.  And her role is in the news today because of the publication of a new biography about Margaret Whitlam by Susan Mitchell. Written with  Mrs. Whitlam’s assistance.

The wife of former Labor PM Gough Whitlam doesn’t like Janette Howard. In excerpts from the book published in The Bulletin today she is cruel and scathing.

Quote: ‘She is useless in terms of how little she really gives the community. What on earth does she do with all her time?’

Mrs. Whitlam complains that Mrs Howard doesn’t visit old people’s homes with her husband. ‘People want to see you’. What is she hiding’?

Now, I have called Janette Howard  Hyacinth Bucket ands think she has taken to the trappings of office like a duck to water. But this is really unfair. Mrs Howard has been treated for cancer. She attends many breast cancer research fund-raisers and cancer awareness programmes. Internationally she fills the role as the Prime Minister’s escort with dignity.

Margaret Whitlam also mocks the Howards because they still hold hands after thirty years of marriage. What’s wrong with that? My mother and father in law, Jim and Norma Hayton, still hold hands. They celebrated their fiftieth anniversary this month.

Typically, the PM’s office resisted firing back against the Whitlam broadside.  I remember when Gough was Prime Minister. Mrs Whitlam was asked what she thought of the inflation rate which was rampant at the time. She said it was ‘ a lot of hoo-hah’.

Presumably the Howards will  regard this outburst as ‘ hoo-hah” and ignore it.

Wednesday, September 27, 2006

©Copyright Derryn Hinch 2006