Quote of the Week #2

By Sandra Buol - Editor

“I've met a lot of prime ministers in my time, but none so young, not too many so smart, and never one so attractive.”

Charles Wooley in a 60 Minutes interview with Jacinda Ardern, 25/02/2018

A week ago, veteran journalist Charles Wooley interviewed NZ Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and her partner Clarke Gayford for a segment of 60 Minutes. He starts with describing her as young, smart and attractive and then goes on to say that he is “smitten” with her.
 
You would think that an experienced journalist has more important things to say when sitting down with a country leader.
 
And for sure he did. “There is one really important political question that I want to ask you and that is: what exactly is the date the baby’s due?”
 
“It’s interesting how many people have been counting back to the conception… as it were.”
 
“Having produced six children it doesn’t amaze me that people can have children; why shouldn’t a child be conceived during an election campaign?”
 
Who the fuck cares, Wooley?
 
By focussing on her appearance and the details of her pregnancy, Wooley refuses to acknowledge Ardern as what she is: a Prime Minister, a country leader, an important public figure. And while some male politics get attention for their looks – Justin Trudeau or Emmanuel Macron – it obviously is a long-standing tradition to reduce women to their uterus. Just think of how Angela Merkel, arguably the most powerful woman on earth, is called “Mutti” on a regular basis.
 
Well guess what dinosaurs: your time is up.