Comments
Why Kevin Rudd made an impact
2009-03-30 10:24:41
To a party last night, to celebrate a friend's continuing defeat of cancer, at which no fewer than four people - two political, two not - spontaneously mentioned Australian Prime Mininster Kevin Rudd's interview on yesterday's Andrew Marr programme. As I had mentioned it myself on yesterday's blog, commenting on his excellent tone and his realistic analysis as to what might come out of the G20, I was interested to know why others thought it was an effective piece of communication.
To take one of the non-politicians, he (a doctor) thought that it was noteworthy for three reasons - first, the sound of a leading politician speaking unequivocally and convincingly in support of what Gordon Brown was trying to achieve; second, the gentle but firm pushing back on Marr's opening question, which allowed Rudd to take control of the interview pretty much from then on in; and the explanation that just because the London Summit would not achieve everything did not mean it should be dismissed for achieving nothing.
If there was one thing that I think wraps those points together, it is a lack of defensiveness. Too many of our politicians - not just ministers, and not just Labour - feel they have to meet the negativity of the media half way.
'So Secretary of State, you'd have to accept this taxpayer-funded jamboree is a total waste of time and money, with a hideous carbon footprint thrown in, and how are we to know the spouses are not watching porn films in their hotel rooms at our expense?'
'No, John/Jeremy/Nick/Adam/Evan/Sarah/delete where applicable, I don't accept it is a total waste of time and money...'
'So partial then, a partial waste of time and money?'
'Well, no, let me finish ...'
Before he died, Robin Cook used to cite an academic survey showing that the positive to negative ratio in the press had gone from 3 positive/1 negative in 1974 to 1 positive/18 negative a few years ago; and it was not only the Daily Mail that was covered. That is a cultural shift which has led to a cultural shift across the broadcast media too.
Because Australia has had a fair few hardnut politicians and media practitioners down the years, we Brits make assumptions that their politics and media are as tough as ours. In some ways perhaps they are. But I was struck when I was there last year doing interviews to promote The Blair Years how much less aggressive the media was. Whenever the PR woman from the publishers said 'this one is a bit like Jeremy Paxman,' they turned out to be more Emily Maitlis.
There is of course a place for both, but I think Kevin Rudd's success on Sunday came from being rooted in a culture in which, though politicians will always be wary of media and vice versa, he is still able to see an interview as a place to make a series of big strategic points, not as a dull contest in which to secure a no-score draw is viewed as something close to triumph by the politicians, failure by the broadcasters, and plain dull by the public.
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Breaking the blog-a-day spell as warm up to holidayPublish date: 2009-07-20 17:44:49
No hiding place from Twitter, me on the bike, JP in DCPublish date: 2009-07-17 18:17:09
At last - something Obama cannot do wellPublish date: 2009-07-16 10:05:47
Will MPs take the lead in the debate on euthanasia?Publish date: 2009-07-15 12:30:01
Berlin brothel leads the way to a greener worldPublish date: 2009-07-14 10:57:25
A time for GB to explain the whole picturePublish date: 2009-07-13 12:37:54
All hail Monty, Jimmy and Collie!Publish date: 2009-07-12 20:06:36
First triathlon of the summer for me, education award for FionaPublish date: 2009-07-12 09:43:06
Of Burnley's friendly and Obama's wandering eyePublish date: 2009-07-11 12:38:52
Two great early morning momentsPublish date: 2009-07-10 10:27:07
Cameron had better be sure he's rightPublish date: 2009-07-09 11:06:22
Guardian scoop has big questions for press, cops and CameronPublish date: 2009-07-08 20:40:54
Divisive legend: Lance ArmstrongPublish date: 2009-07-07 10:38:23
First hug a hoodie, now grab a gayPublish date: 2009-07-06 12:57:09
Mail on Scumday's wonderful account of Lansley's kipperdomPublish date: 2009-07-05 13:14:51
Ecclestone undermines his own success with alarming views on HitlerPublish date: 2009-07-04 14:04:04
When the conmen move more quickly than the councilPublish date: 2009-07-03 10:19:52
Andrew Lansley done up like a kipperPublish date: 2009-07-02 10:10:52
A day spent interviewing footballers, then being interviewed by a transvestite comedianPublish date: 2009-07-01 14:47:40
When the power of black eyes fadesPublish date: 2009-06-30 09:24:59
Farewell to Henry HodgePublish date: 2009-06-29 20:41:12
Honouring the power of sport to do goodPublish date: 2009-06-29 14:49:42
Andy Murray is a winner. Is that why some Brits don't like him?Publish date: 2009-06-28 09:19:20
New Parliament will look very different. The younger the betterPublish date: 2009-06-27 17:34:26
Two nice surprises, sad end to dayPublish date: 2009-06-26 09:16:33
Apology from the Spectator on Iraq boosts Henry Hodge fundPublish date: 2009-06-25 19:57:26
Thanks to Mr Harper on mental health, rebuttal of Mr Hague on IraqPublish date: 2009-06-24 23:47:54
Glad to find Eric Cantona in a quiet cinema ...Publish date: 2009-06-24 00:46:23
By Dave's friends shall we know him?Publish date: 2009-06-23 11:30:20
The Speaker has to balance tradition and change - but defend ParliamentPublish date: 2009-06-22 11:58:44
Less a blog than an apology for not having done onePublish date: 2009-06-21 20:07:43
The day Lions skipper Paul O'Connell took my trousers downPublish date: 2009-06-20 11:48:28
On the Iraq inquiry, Independent article wrongPublish date: 2009-06-19 20:28:24
Thank you to three readers, now please get involvedPublish date: 2009-06-19 09:13:35
A tribute to a lovely manPublish date: 2009-06-18 17:19:40
Bad times in Belfast, great day for Burnley, odd statement from Ed BallsPublish date: 2009-06-18 10:04:47
A plea for five-figure cyber-donationsPublish date: 2009-06-17 07:40:42
On two inquiriesPublish date: 2009-06-16 08:57:39
From India to Iran to Labour witPublish date: 2009-06-15 10:13:17
Memories of Princess DianaPublish date: 2009-06-14 09:54:55
A House Divided?Publish date: 2009-06-13 02:53:47
A humbling NHS experience, a media row and a good GB speechPublish date: 2009-06-12 10:48:46
Psychiatrists heading for relegation in 'disease prestige' league tablePublish date: 2009-06-11 10:25:35
The shrinks awaitPublish date: 2009-06-10 09:44:16
As Obama fights for healthcare, let's celebrate the record herePublish date: 2009-06-09 12:52:55
Anger at BNP seats must be turned into activismPublish date: 2009-06-08 14:11:10
Can today be as frenzied as Friday?Publish date: 2009-06-07 10:31:04
Take heart from a win in LambethPublish date: 2009-06-06 18:46:40
JP is right there was no proper campaign but Tories still weakPublish date: 2009-06-05 13:47:20
Do we care more about the NHS or moats?Publish date: 2009-06-04 00:21:23
Guardian of social justice or attention-seeker?Publish date: 2009-06-03 10:19:33
Who says Britain can't deliver the best?Publish date: 2009-06-02 08:08:38
Mainstream has a duty to vote against BNPPublish date: 2009-06-01 11:03:29
Let Diversity inspire a vote against the hate-filled BNPPublish date: 2009-05-31 12:24:20
White House whack at UK media well-timed but sure to be ignoredPublish date: 2009-05-30 13:41:00
Elvis has a plan to make MPs King againPublish date: 2009-05-29 12:09:44
At least there's a campaign on in ItalyPublish date: 2009-05-28 09:04:32
A blow to gay rights and a boost for Cameron's short-termismPublish date: 2009-05-27 11:27:41
It's my blog and I'll be a big kid if I want toPublish date: 2009-05-26 23:25:58
Highs feel better after so many lowsPublish date: 2009-05-26 10:13:12
Only one present countsPublish date: 2009-05-25 11:05:46
Contrast Cheney and BushPublish date: 2009-05-24 12:11:45
Sex (or at least the female form) obsessed BritainPublish date: 2009-05-23 20:49:57
Sport at both ends of the financial spectrumPublish date: 2009-05-23 09:57:23
Stronger together - whether Scotland or expensesPublish date: 2009-05-22 10:22:36
Back to Number 10, familiar faces, familiar argumentsPublish date: 2009-05-21 10:14:34
Speaking up for ParliamentPublish date: 2009-05-20 11:44:17
Peace in the Middle East - yes he canPublish date: 2009-05-19 09:37:35
Breaking news - one frenzy at a timePublish date: 2009-05-18 10:34:30
Getting a good look at Vince CablePublish date: 2009-05-17 09:36:55
How do you solve a problem like Silvio?Publish date: 2009-05-16 09:32:21
It was the internet wot won itPublish date: 2009-05-15 10:04:57
There now follows ... a good whack at CameronPublish date: 2009-05-14 17:21:28
They got their kit off - so you get your cash outPublish date: 2009-05-14 07:41:11
Expenses row must not obscure Tory intentions on minimum wagePublish date: 2009-05-13 16:12:08
We love you Burnley, we do ... what a nightPublish date: 2009-05-13 02:37:17
A tweet cannot express the wonders of TGVPublish date: 2009-05-12 08:48:31
It's Mind week - Get it off your Chest with me and Stephen FryPublish date: 2009-05-11 06:29:15
Hate the Mail, love ObamaPublish date: 2009-05-10 10:04:00
Burnley 1 Reading 0 - a biased reportPublish date: 2009-05-09 21:26:32
MPs expenses - time for party leaders to meet againPublish date: 2009-05-09 09:50:19
Should happiness replace prosperity as national goal?Publish date: 2009-05-08 08:43:23
Musings from a sleepless nightPublish date: 2009-05-07 07:33:49
Darren Fletcher - an injustice that has to be rightedPublish date: 2009-05-06 09:52:29
Maggie's legacy not as great as she thinksPublish date: 2009-05-05 08:33:02
Here's hoping Cardiff is metaphor for CameronPublish date: 2009-05-04 09:38:30
More Mr Benn and Co pleasePublish date: 2009-05-03 10:03:00
Going Fourth with JPPublish date: 2009-05-02 18:25:41
Journalism - print first, think laterPublish date: 2009-05-02 09:10:01
In praise of two poetsPublish date: 2009-05-01 10:26:36
JP hits the road againPublish date: 2009-04-29 18:52:11
My night with Eddie IzzardPublish date: 2009-04-29 10:53:25
Explaining the 50p top tax ratePublish date: 2009-04-28 09:22:53
George Best and Martin McGuinnessPublish date: 2009-04-27 09:02:35
Cameron confused over indepdendence and impartialityPublish date: 2009-04-26 12:20:56
Guide ro Marathon running part 2Publish date: 2009-04-25 11:01:34
Good signals on coal and the OlympicsPublish date: 2009-04-24 10:45:28
Tips for the London MarathonPublish date: 2009-04-23 17:29:27
Missed the Budget, saw why it matteredPublish date: 2009-04-22 23:09:31
Football good, politics bad. AllegedlyPublish date: 2009-04-22 00:00:24
The Great Wall gets greaterPublish date: 2009-04-21 09:55:22
Two sides to police storyPublish date: 2009-04-20 11:39:54
Budgets, Balls, billionaires and Susan BoylePublish date: 2009-04-19 12:31:45
Do muscles have memories?Publish date: 2009-04-18 09:44:44
Bring back standing at footballPublish date: 2009-04-17 14:50:22
When Facebook friends fall outPublish date: 2009-04-16 12:29:16
Guardian sightings and the email and bath plug agendaPublish date: 2009-04-15 11:32:16
The spin is all in the prismPublish date: 2009-04-14 09:22:41
A setback, not a crisisPublish date: 2009-04-13 12:55:19
The real lessons from Damian McBridePublish date: 2009-04-12 10:49:47
Will English always be the dominant language?Publish date: 2009-04-11 10:02:02
On the pipes and what makes a ScotPublish date: 2009-04-10 11:06:20
John Prescott lazy? NO WAYPublish date: 2009-04-09 09:11:31
David Frost is seventyPublish date: 2009-04-08 08:48:38
The Speaker, BBC2, tonight and tomorrow 8pmPublish date: 2009-04-07 14:25:31
Obama, colds and being woken by Korean missilesPublish date: 2009-04-06 11:59:24
When a call matters more than protocolPublish date: 2009-04-05 11:33:42
Green Cities Champions LeaguePublish date: 2009-04-04 10:19:53
Could Cameron have delivered the G20 deal?Publish date: 2009-04-03 10:11:59
Of Benn and BonoPublish date: 2009-04-02 08:21:16
Memo to Sarko - allez vite a LondresPublish date: 2009-04-01 08:46:17
Happy April Fool's DayPublish date: 2009-04-01 01:44:05
Eurostar, Le Monde and a thought for the G20 sherpasPublish date: 2009-03-31 09:17:22
Pre-G20 hype matters less than post-G20 processPublish date: 2009-03-29 13:17:28
The Damned UnitedPublish date: 2009-03-28 10:37:04
A hobby horse, a plug and a bit of sportPublish date: 2009-03-27 10:22:23
Cloughie - he had a lot to be big-headed aboutPublish date: 2009-03-26 09:38:36
A sad sight of the old fearing the youngPublish date: 2009-03-25 17:03:07
Post-modern, post-structural, or bullshit?Publish date: 2009-03-25 08:18:02
Learning the right lessons from ObamaPublish date: 2009-03-24 08:53:15
Lazy Dave needs to keep an eye on lazy KenPublish date: 2009-03-23 11:16:14
Farewell favourite restaurant, hello hometownPublish date: 2009-03-22 08:18:09
Dave, Danny and have the Tories really changed?Publish date: 2009-03-21 08:55:13
Life beyond Dover ...Publish date: 2009-03-20 10:11:21
My friends in The New Statesman - Fergie, Fiona, Tony, Sarah, Kevin, 'Dacre,' and a great GB idea for the G20Publish date: 2009-03-18 10:38:22
Iraq, Iran, GB, Obama and diplomatic chessPublish date: 2009-03-17 10:07:13
The Age of StupidPublish date: 2009-03-16 08:27:13
Is all change good?Publish date: 2009-03-15 10:00:06
The pressure of being a post-modern sex godPublish date: 2009-03-14 10:00:55
Cameron still hasn't sealed the deal with businessPublish date: 2009-03-13 09:21:49
Stand up for social workersPublish date: 2009-03-12 08:31:17
Surely Malcolm Tucker could have told Armando Ianucci ... You can't spin a spinnerPublish date: 2009-03-11 10:58:25
Start of a new approach from Labour?Publish date: 2009-03-10 09:54:12
A peace process still strongPublish date: 2009-03-09 08:21:05
Day of destiny for the real footballer of the yearPublish date: 2009-03-08 09:21:06
Private advice to Peggy Mitchell - the leaked note in fullPublish date: 2009-03-07 08:17:21
Boris, the Tories and the tummy-tickling poodle pressPublish date: 2009-03-06 09:49:37
A day in the life of the self-obsessed TV reporterPublish date: 2009-03-05 07:55:47
GB - good speech, well deliveredPublish date: 2009-03-04 19:31:05
Notes on the environment, a role in EastEndersPublish date: 2009-03-04 10:58:56
She may be my 'wife' but it is time to rebut!Publish date: 2009-03-03 10:52:59
Some speeches matter more than othersPublish date: 2009-03-02 12:04:45
Mental health and the Carling Cup FinalPublish date: 2009-03-01 09:08:17
Inside the chocolate factoryPublish date: 2009-02-28 10:23:59
GB on the G20, JP on Jeremy KylePublish date: 2009-02-27 09:14:36
Charity and the credit crunch, please give generously!Publish date: 2009-02-26 08:55:12
Why oh why are the Tories not home and dry?Publish date: 2009-02-24 09:44:59
Me, Dermot and ten top songsPublish date: 2009-02-23 10:02:19
Names round-upPublish date: 2009-02-22 08:43:39
What's in a name?Publish date: 2009-02-21 09:58:14
Editing the New StatesmanPublish date: 2009-02-20 11:42:36
Salute Peter M’s proper use of the F wordPublish date: 2009-02-19 09:58:58
Labour's communications challenge for the NHSPublish date: 2009-02-18 10:34:39
In praise of KeighleyPublish date: 2009-02-17 14:33:57
A night at the EmiratesPublish date: 2009-02-17 00:06:51
When marriage is testedPublish date: 2009-02-16 13:36:35
Spare me the myths and the whiningPublish date: 2009-02-15 13:29:50
Dave Cameron - is that all there is?Publish date: 2009-02-14 11:11:55
Boris Johnson: F is for ...Publish date: 2009-02-13 07:55:10
The Cameron vacuumPublish date: 2009-02-12 14:48:33
Lincoln, Obama, Blair and the 24 hour media culturePublish date: 2009-02-11 10:28:47
Eighteen interviews later ...Publish date: 2009-02-10 19:24:45
Time to talk about Time to Change on NewsnightPublish date: 2009-02-09 22:47:49
So that’s what they mean by online community?Publish date: 2009-02-08 12:12:51
First blogPublish date: 2009-02-05 15:23:57
Gervase
2009-04-01 05:56:01I would not agree that there is a maturity abroad that is unavailable in UK media.
Speaking as one who has crossed the professional divide similarly to AC (albeit at a less lofty level), there is much more in common between the Australian and UK media.
It is not a coincidence, surely, that this binary scenario - the defauilt adversarial positioning as 'media vs subject' exactly mirrors the Westminster system upon which it mainly focuses? That is, one side FOR something, and the other side OPPOSES. Or the judicial system, with its PLAINTIFF and RESPONDANT?
The media, I'm afraid to say, is us. Notably, the more it seeks to be like its readers and viewers, the less it is read and watched by them.
I dare say we like to like ourselves, but don't find ourselves particularly interesting. It seems that we're just not that into us...
Dave
2009-04-01 05:32:39"Before he died, Robin Cook used to cite an academic survey..."
I'm glad you clarified that, otherwise we might have thought you had the Ouija board out.
Tony
2009-03-31 07:56:07Good to see a bit of Rudd appreciation from our UK cousins!
Rudd tends to cop it a lot of stick from the press gallery back home for being insufferably boring when he speaks in public or in the media (which, in fairness, he sometimes can be). Given his approval ratings at the moment, I don’t think it's a criticism that he should be very bothered by.
Alina Palimaru
2009-03-31 00:38:01Em, I agree on Obama. However, that does not mean that rank-and-file politicians shouldn't aspire to communicate the way he does.
A
Jason Smith
2009-03-30 20:28:36Saw the Kevin Rudd interview - very confident and challenging to the current media view re rubbishing the G20 meeting - although he continued to explain the positives and emphasised the positives, in particular criticising the UK media view of the overall process, thought it funny that the BBC news round-up still decided to interpret his comments as agreeing with the general UK media rubbishing and "Rudd downplays G20" view
Em
2009-03-30 20:09:31I don't see this as a problem emanating from a media drowned world, but rather a post-Watergate, post-"age of innocence" world. The public (and as a consequence the media) have been burned and they're not going to be caught off guard again. Cynicism and negativity and apprehension are defences. Pre-Watergate, this brand of media would have been unacceptable no matter the number of outlets. You could also argue this in post-modern aesthetic terms but it would boil down to the same thing; the audience requires layers of distance between itself and the subject.
Obama has a leg up because the press is mesmerised by him, AND, as the Washington press puts it "c'est pas réciproque". Obama is an odd one in many ways including in this trait that characterises most politicians: he's not needy. Unlike Bush, he has nothing to prove to dad; unlike Clinton, he doesn't need to be constantly reassured that he is loved. Even AC remarks on a similar need on TB's part that would flare up from time to time.
Obama is Obama like JFK was JFK. To use them as frames of reference is misleading because they are unlike the overwhelming majority of politicians.
Alina Palimaru
2009-03-30 16:11:24To pick up on Robin Cook's poll, I think the change in negativity from 1974 to a few years ago reflects the fragmentation and competition among media outlets. Unfortunately, the race for audiences is fuelled not by maturity, calmness or the purpose to illuminate, teach, inspire... it's all driven by the goal to sell. Just like at a cheap market, where the seller that attracts more people to his/her stand is the one who is the loudest, flashiest, with an in-your-face approach, so do journalists behave. Applied to political coverage and interviews, this shows in the form of "Would you say that..." questions that frame the answer for the interviewee, or the assessment of problems with absolute terms like "total failure," "utter waste," "completely disappointing" etc I might add that in the U.S. there is also the specimen of the angry, shouting, eye-balls-popping-out-of-the-head type of obnoxious journalist. They must think "I'm shouting my lungs out here, my vocabulary is a blood-fest, therefore I have the most profound judgment to share with you all. Look at me!!"
But as AC notes, it takes two to tango, and politicians often play along so as not to appear weak. So far Obama has been able to sedate these folks a bit by answering calmly, wisely, with measured words and proper tone of voice. Before addressing absolutist questions from journos, he'll often remark the inadequate use of labels, and the unwarranted glum. But for every Obama-type there are probably three or more politicians who are willing to join the shouting match and the competition for gloom. This strident discourse punctuated by action-oriented language is what appeals to many constituents (especially here in the US) and gives the impression that their representative is doing something...
Em
2009-03-30 15:40:42When I first watched Jeremy Paxman on Newsnight soon after I moved to Britain, I remember feeling like I'd just been involved in a major car accident. I'd never seen anything like it and I spent the next few years mesmerised by the information (or lack thereof) he got out of politicians.
I sent a recent John Humphrys interview with his boss Mark Thompson about the BBC's refusal to air the Gaza appeal to all my North American friends as an example of what political interviewing should be at it's best. (link to interview: http://news.bbc.co.uk/today/hi/today/newsid_7850000/7850617.stm)
Point is, we have nothing like Paxman or Humphrys here, politicians run circles around journalists, mostly because journalists want retain access. It's the public who lose as politicians are never asked to defend their actions and decisions in an intellectually and rhetorically challenging way.
Reading the transcript of the Marr interview, it seems Rudd got the job done. What's difficult to understand is why politicians find it so difficult to express themselves in a similarly straightforward and competent manner. Paxman notwithstanding, the onus is on them to get their message across; the more of an intellectual challenge is brought to that message, the better.
Delib
2009-03-30 14:00:36Doesn't seem to explain why our politicos couldn't take a similar approach. Sure it's true to say that media outlets have moved away from selling journalism to selling life-affirming reassurances for people who choose a certain worldview. Yet, it was Rudd's disarming of Marr that allowed him a clear platform to speak.
Maybe it would also help if the politician being interviewed pointed out the journo's tricks, or cheekily asked if they'd care to rephrase the question in a less leading manner...
Jonathan Burke
2009-03-30 12:41:10Kevin Rudd's focus and ability to bypass Marr's early tactics of where he wanted Rudd to be - on the defensive; is exemplary of the fact that he has a burning passion to get his country's response and indeed the response of the world, right on this economic crisis that is sweeping its way across the world. Other young members of Labour who are fighting for our political survival each and every week would have watched with the same level of envy that I did, hoping, wishing that for just once could our people appear on tv or radio, and walk in to that interview room with the same level of focus that prevents your intention from being distracted by the pesky and shallow sniping remarks of whoever is in the other chair. How are Labour to convince the country to provide us with a fourth term next year if we cannot present as polished, calm and in control as Kevin Rudd. Australians have much cause to be proud. We have cause to follow their leader's example.
Brian Hughes
2009-03-30 12:11:08I wonder how our poisonous media can be turned around. It takes a special kind of politician to be as adept and confident as Kevin Rudd can be against a skilled interviewer. It's a shame that "against" is the appropriate word de nos jours in this context - every political encounter seems now to be seen and judged by many as a "contest".
It was good to see you on the Culture Show calmly standing up to Mark Kermode's smart-alec assertions about all politicians, of course, being venal (and by implication all artists and luvvies saints!) but I'm afraid his simplistic views predominate amongst his chattering type.
It's quite easy to see how we got here, much harder to see how to unpoison the well. Not much prospect of an end to punch and Judy politics in our lifetimes I fear. But some more quietly assertive rebuttal by politicians against the wilder negative simplistic assertions of interviewers would help...
Phil Lea
2009-03-30 12:00:14I have another theory as to why this negativity ratio has gone up over the last 2-3 decades and affected opinion. I think it has more to do with 24/7 news in a media loop continually bombarding the senses. Its almost subliminal, if you hear (paraphrasing) 'Gordon Brown is Crap' enough times you begin to believe it without even questioning it! The danger is it affects the neutrals /undecided more than of course the die hard party members of whatever persuasion
Jane A
2009-03-30 11:25:27Kevin Rudd is a sharp cookie, and an outward-looking Aussie with a big Mandarin-speaking brain. I agree with the previous poster about how well he handled the Stolen Generations day, which happened when we were over there in 2008. It could have been a hideous tokenist gesture-fest, but he is grade A at keeping it real.
A great read on campaigning (in the 2007 Australian elections) is The Battle for Bennelong about how Maxine McKew managed to win John Howard's seat ; she's now in the Rudd cabinet, I think.
Obnoxio The Clown
2009-03-30 11:21:09Before he died, Robin Cook used to cite an academic survey showing that the positive to negative ratio in the press had gone from 3 positive/1 negative in 1974 to 1 positive/18 negative a few years ago; and it was not only the Daily Mail that was covered. That is a cultural shift which has led to a cultural shift across the broadcast media too.
Another part of New Labour's legacy, of which you personally can probably feel quite proud.
lobby hack
2009-03-30 11:11:26I think it's more the nature of Rudd. He is ineffably calm and often under-stated. Watch his speech on "Sorry Day" last year, for example. Instead of breast-beating it was a simple account of what was done to indigenous families and why it was right to say sorry. Its flatness (in some ways) contrasted with the drama of the subject matter. That tension, that coolness increased the speech power massively.
David Smith
2009-03-30 10:52:41Sir,
I have just read an article written by your wife, about how she experiences your depression. It was like looking at a mirror image of my life and it made me realise how hard I make things for my family.
But what do you do when you are surrounded by beautifull children and a loving wife but you feel dead inside. To look into their faces and feel nothing breaks my heart, and is tearing at my relationship.
I keep thinking it will be ok when I find another housing project, or I find something meaningfull to do with my life.
But its not. Im still angry, bitter and empty, and I just dont know why.
I guess that its time for me to get help.
Thank you for your honesty. I can see the up hill struggle thats in front of me, now I have to get some spark to do something about it.
I hope that today is a good day for you, and the people around you.
Thank you.
David Smith.
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