tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3881762807913180318.post4675592632984533527..comments2024-01-23T16:53:02.428+00:00Comments on Mark Thompson: Gordon Brown - pathetic performance on Andy Marr's showMark Thompsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00744387583593537268noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3881762807913180318.post-52016045415063021502009-06-01T04:22:27.282+01:002009-06-01T04:22:27.282+01:00"Mendacious bullshit" is a bit harsh given it usua..."Mendacious bullshit" is a bit harsh given it usually works well on the British public.<br /><br />The expenses scandal is too clear an event for Gordon to use the standard New labour formula of:-<br /><br />i. assurance that everything is going very well (better than pre '97, under anyone else, beyond expectations etc.);<br /><br />ii. acknowledgement that there have been a few problems but these were to be expected if you want change, although not forseeable, and no one is at fault;<br /><br />iii. revelation that these are now irrelevant since a new system, with standards, investment, real improvements, targets, benefitting real people, is on its way;<br /><br />iv. assertion that soon everything will be even better than before, although everything really is going very well.<br /><br />So Gordon is having to enter new territory and cannot cope. Hence he clutches at setting up committees, tough and thorough, decisive and fundamental. Nice eh!:-)Cardinal Richelieu's molenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3881762807913180318.post-36014671666494473122009-05-31T23:36:52.816+01:002009-05-31T23:36:52.816+01:00Yes, it is very frustrating but part of the politi...Yes, it is very frustrating but part of the politicians playbook.<br /><br />It is no wonder people feel so disengaged though when this is what passes for political discussion at the highest level.Mark Thompsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00744387583593537268noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3881762807913180318.post-33251670637301054642009-05-31T23:34:10.288+01:002009-05-31T23:34:10.288+01:00Excellent points, Mark.
Brown thinks giving 16-ye...Excellent points, Mark.<br /><br />Brown thinks giving 16-year-olds the vote is a priority because multitudes of students that age tend to be left-leaning. He knows he'll be crucified at the polls and this is his way of mitigating his losses. Evil, cynical ploy. <br /><br />Marr seemed to find it difficult to stop Brown's ramblings and force him to answer the questions asked. Brown did his usual trick of giving long-winded replies to take up air time and reduce the number of questions he could be asked. Labour MPs do this a lot. Caroline Flint, for instance, interrupts her opponents and interviewers all the time. E.g., on QT.Faustyhttp://faustiesblog.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3881762807913180318.post-8939245684880277232009-05-31T22:08:36.619+01:002009-05-31T22:08:36.619+01:00You are, of course, dead right about Brown being o...You are, of course, dead right about Brown being one of the most hopeless interviewees ever -for more on which you might be interested in some of my rants about it, (e.g. http://maxatkinson.blogspot.com/2009/05/gordon-browns-interview-technique-tip.html).Max Atkinsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06163447049027217653noreply@blogger.com