Australia vs Alabama

AAP report:

Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd is in hot water with the governor of Alabama for his response to comedian Robin Williams’ “Australians are basically English rednecks” jibe.

Williams made the joke on the Dave Letterman TV talkshow in the US earlier in the week and Rudd, during a radio interview on Wednesday, hit back by recommending the comedian “spend a bit of time in Alabama before he frames comments about anyone being particularly redneck”.

Rudd has stuffed up quite majorly here.

First of all a Prime Minister doesn’t need to respond to a joke by Robin Williams on Letterman. You just look pompous and defesnive.

But secondly you don’t respond by insulting a state of another country. You’re not a comedian, you’re a head of government.

Rudd’s reference to Alabama and rednecks generated a terse response from Alabama governor Bob Riley.

“I’m not sure if Prime Minister Rudd has ever been to Alabama,” Alabama governor Bob Riley responded in a statement.

“If he has, he would know that Alabamians are decent, hard working, creative people.”

And to think Rudd used to be a diplomat.