Julia Gillard was the first ever female to be elected the Prime Minister of Australia. Almost as soon as she took office she was hated and reviled by sections of the community who couldn't stand her. Rupert Murdoch rallied his news outlets against her and talk radio used to go into meltdown accusing her of all sorts of things.
During her time in office her father died and a shock-jock was caught out telling a gathering of people that he died of shame. Another one felt the need to constantly badger her with a series of questions about her partner's sexuality, claiming he must be gay because he was a hairdresser and implying that she was romantically involved with a practicing homosexual. A menu was presented at a fundraising dinner hosted by her political opponents which featured ""Julia Gillard Kentucky Fried Quail - small breasts, huge thighs and a big red box".
Political cartoonists portrayed her as overweight with a large beaked nose and an enormous posterior. One political cartoonist, who publishes on the internet and markets his own calendars, always depicted her as a naked, overweight bondage queen with sagging breasts, an enormous bum and a permanent strap on dildo. This is just one example...
Her previous relationships were scrutinised and constant attempts were made to try and prove she was corrupt in her business dealings before her political life. Politically she tried to treat a reasonably centrist approach but was hated by those on the right for her environmental policies but regularly criticised by those on the left for her stance on gay marriage.
Meanwhile her own party attempted to destabilise her leadership at every opportunity and opinion polls were constantly being published talking about her lack of popularity and how other people in her party would have more chance of winning an election. She was constantly looking over her shoulder and dealing with leadership speculation.
Throughout all of this she maintained her dignity and grace at all times. She was put under incredible pressure and never lost it or cracked. She maintained a position of dignity and grace.
I didn't always agree with her political stance but I came to really respect her for her ability to deal with some of the most reprehensible attacks and vitriol slung at her from all sides. She was beset by arseholes on all sides but never became one herself.
Read other answers by David Stewart on Quora:
- What are some interesting facts about Roman culture?
- Who are some of the greatest people that have ever lived that most people have never heard of?
- What are the most important lessons of history?
from Quora http://ift.tt/2kNiYg5
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