Former French Prime Minister and Socialist Party leader Laurent Fabius adamantly told BBC today that he never asked who would watch Segolene Royal's four children had she won the presidency yesterday. The only problem is that I remember reading any number of witness accounts saying that he publicly made this remark, playing the gender card and attempting to hurt the chances of his bitter party rival. He told the BBC newsreader this morning that she was wrong, that he never said such a thing, and that she needed to get her facts right.
This is simply not true. The hapless newsreader did not challenge him and just accepted his fabricated denial. Well, an All Things Considered piece on November 17, 2006 reported the remark. The BBC itself reported on February 20, 2007 that, "Laurent Fabius, who ran against her, publicly asked who would look after Ms Royal and Mr Hollande's four children if she went for the presidency. The remark created uproar, and may have backfired by giving Ms Royal widespread sympathy." Columnist Barbara Lewis wrote on January 20, 2007, "Even within her own party, Royal has encountered bitter and chauvinistic opposition. For instance, former prime minister Laurent Fabius very publicly asked who would look after Royal's four children if she went for the presidency."
Most of us think that politicians lie. Until they stop doing so, we have every right and proof to continue believing it. What a shame.
This is simply not true. The hapless newsreader did not challenge him and just accepted his fabricated denial. Well, an All Things Considered piece on November 17, 2006 reported the remark. The BBC itself reported on February 20, 2007 that, "Laurent Fabius, who ran against her, publicly asked who would look after Ms Royal and Mr Hollande's four children if she went for the presidency. The remark created uproar, and may have backfired by giving Ms Royal widespread sympathy." Columnist Barbara Lewis wrote on January 20, 2007, "Even within her own party, Royal has encountered bitter and chauvinistic opposition. For instance, former prime minister Laurent Fabius very publicly asked who would look after Royal's four children if she went for the presidency."
Most of us think that politicians lie. Until they stop doing so, we have every right and proof to continue believing it. What a shame.