Why is is that those who were once in power can’t simply step back and let there successors do the job they once had? They act like that annoying little terrier dog that just won’t stop biting your ankles. Why isn’t there someone saying to them “You had your time…you’re out of it now…shut up”
In the aftermath of the recent Malaysian elections, we had former PM Dr Mahatir slam Prime Minister Badawi, and proudly tell the world that his successor ruined everything from the political party that he belonged to, to burning the roti on the grill! And of course, none of this would have happened under Dr. Mahatir’s watch…oh no.
Paul Keating, the former Australian PM did the same thing back in 1996, after he lost that election to John Winston Howard. He was so infuriated that this nerdy little geek blew him out of the water in the election, he sulked away from parliament immediately, and has spent the last 12 years saying how good he was as PM and how every amazing, revolutionary, brilliant, groundbreaking policy was firstly the fruit of his illustrious loins.
John Howard, himself, has just become a new member of the “I’m a sulky little boy, and you’re not as good at the job as I was” club. He had, as Keating did, remained silent immediately after losing power…but that didn’t last long, again, just like Keating. Here he was, appearing at some conservative think tank dinner in the United States a few days ago, receiving some bizarre award for services to kissing George Bush’s butt, and the stinging attack begins. Kevin Rudd, the new Australian PM, has got it ALL wrong, according to Mr.Howard. Of course he has John. And you got it right did you? Failed to retire when you should have, failed to read what the Australian people wanted or needed, and then proceeded to lead your political party to not only the worst election defeat they have ever seen, but be only the second serving Australian PM to lose your seat in parliament…the last time that happened, it was 1929! Bravo!
Even in Thailand ,General Sonthi Boon-yaratglin, the leader of the 2006 military coup who toppled former PM Thaksin Shinawatra, has heaped scorn on his then interim PM candidate Surayud Chula-nont, who served as PM from the time of the coup until Feb 2008, when elections were held and a new PM was declared. Gen Sonthi was critical that Surayud didn’t do a good enough job, and he should have done more…even though Sondhi chose him specifically to lead the country during that transitional time.
Are we seeing a theme here? Disgruntled politicians or powerbrokers who can’t pull the strings anymore, not knowing when to close their mouths and let the new man (or woman) get on with it. If they didn’t achieve ‘elder statesman’ status naturally, by hell, they’ll seize it. Because for some weird reason, they think that they have reached a level of enlightenment that entitles them to pontificate from their self proclaimed throne.
What they all need to do is take a leaf out of the book of a true elder statesman..former US President Jimmy Carter. If you have ever heard him make comment on anything, you will notice a man who knows his mind and speaks it, but a man who has the decency to generally stay out of issues unless he is asked, and even then, speaks his mind in the manner of a true southerner…with dignity, graciousness, style, and common respect for his fellow human beings.
Maybe President Carter should run a Masterclass for retired politicians and powerbrokers….he’d be run off his feet with bookings. Enjoy your day.
