In reflecting on then-transport minister Anthony Albanese’s gaffe in quoting a fictional character in a 2012 speech to the National Press Club – US president Andrew Shepherd, played by Michael Douglas in the movie The American President – Philip Cooney of Wentworth Falls wonders, “Which other fictional presidents and PMs might do well in today’s opinion polls?” For the record, Albo escaped censure from then-prime minister Julia Gillard because she loves Douglas and “he’s married to a Welsh woman”.