Hard News by Russell Brown

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Hard News: Fluency, ease of manner - and Norton Antivirus

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  • Lew Stoddart,

    To technically minded viewers, that analogy sounded risible. It might as well have been written in Comic Sans.

    Kia ora, Russell. This is the single wisest thing I have read about the interview.

    John Key is Comic Sans, asshole.

    L

    Wellington, NZ • Since Aug 2010 • 109 posts Report Reply

  • Jason Kemp,

    Sadly the "interview" seems to have convinced John Key supporters he is top dog and we are none the wiser.

    Faced with the tactics of last night it is easy to see why Campbell was somewhat overwhelmed.

    The law society concerns remain valid and we are no closer to a real debate on the subject.

    And yes Labour needs to be taking real notes. I think David Cunliffe can foot it with Key but will we ever see him get another chance?

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 368 posts Report Reply

  • Russell Brown, in reply to Jason Kemp,

    And yes Labour needs to be taking real notes. I think David Cunliffe can foot it with Key but will we ever see him get another chance?

    I'm beginning to think he has to.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report Reply

  • Glenn Pearce,

    Whoever instructed him to use

    "ok, let me address those points one by one"

    is a genius, it doesn’t allow the interviewer to then interrupt without appearing rude and makes it appear that he has a valid answer to the all the questions, whether he does or not….

    Auckland • Since Feb 2007 • 504 posts Report Reply

  • Russell Brown, in reply to Glenn Pearce,

    is a genius, it doesn’t allow the interview to then interrupt without appearing rude and makes it appear that he has a valid answer to the all the questions, whether he does or not….

    Yep. That's exactly how it works.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report Reply

  • Julian Melville,

    We need much, much ruder interviewers in this country. Aussie TV would never have let Key get this far. They'd have had him for breakfast years ago.

    Auckland • Since Dec 2006 • 200 posts Report Reply

  • The Ruminator,

    I'm always amused in these instances at how people react differently to the same stimuli. To many, John Key got DESTROYED by John Campbell. And all he did was confirm the opinion of most that he's a smug asshole (Hello bomber). To others, Key destroyed Campbell, confirming once and for all that he's the greatest Prime Minister we've ever had.

    This is the best nuanced analysis of the interview I've seen so far. Ka pai.

    Since Apr 2013 • 54 posts Report Reply

  • Russell Brown, in reply to The Ruminator,

    To many, John Key got DESTROYED by John Campbell. And all he did was confirm the opinion of most that he’s a smug asshole (Hello bomber).

    Yeah. It’s one thing to feel that he came off as arrogant or disingenuous, but there is no way he didn’t have by far the better of that interview.

    To others, Key destroyed Campbell, confirming once and for all that he’s the greatest Prime Minister we’ve ever had.

    There was a thunderous chorus of “case closed” from his supporters on Twitter, as if the interview had in one stroke erased any and all objections from the Law Society and others. It clearly didn’t, but people seemed prepared to believe that.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report Reply

  • Ian Dalziel,

    Maybe we need a snapper election!

    Christchurch • Since Dec 2006 • 7953 posts Report Reply

  • Graham Dunster,

    One good thing is that it will be even more unbelievable when Key goes back to the forgetful doofus routine. Although his supporters won't care.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2009 • 184 posts Report Reply

  • The Ruminator,

    There was a thunderous chorus of “case closed” from his supporters on Twitter, as if the interview had in one stroke erased any and all objections from the Law Society and others. It clearly didn’t, but people seemed prepared to believe that.

    But that's the dichotomy of political debate isn't it? All Key did was further entrench people's pre-existing opinions. It's why in many ways political debate is a sham. We identify on some tribal ideological level and come hell or high water that's our position. I'm no different, I could never vote for him (but then my parents were both teachers so I don't have the choice).

    Since Apr 2013 • 54 posts Report Reply

  • Graeme Edgeler, in reply to The Ruminator,

    This is the best nuanced analysis of the interview I've seen so far. Ka pai.

    You appear to imply that there is a better, albeit non-nuanced, analysis of the interview. Link⸮

    Wellington, New Zealand • Since Nov 2006 • 3215 posts Report Reply

  • Russell Brown, in reply to Graeme Edgeler,

    You appear to imply that there is a better, albeit non-nuanced, analysis of the interview. Link⸮

    You're using the irony mark!

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report Reply

  • Glenn Pearce,

    The other aspect to this is what's the damage to JC and the Campbell Live team?

    Timing wise, could it be worse having an off game just as the new ownership starts to take shape?

    Auckland • Since Feb 2007 • 504 posts Report Reply

  • Euan Mason,

    All good points, Russell, well done. Reason slips through the cracks created by a professional interviewee, and we cannot afford to let it go. The two core issues are the GCSB's uncontrolled access to metadata, and the lack of independent oversight on the use of these data. Does Key really lack the imagination to see that these are dangerous? They could be fixed easily, so what does Key get out of ignoring them?

    Canterbury • Since Jul 2008 • 259 posts Report Reply

  • The Ruminator,

    You appear to imply that there is a better, albeit non-nuanced, analysis of the interview. Link⸮

    You haunt me Graeme.

    Since Apr 2013 • 54 posts Report Reply

  • Terry Baucher,

    Yeah. It’s one thing to feel that he came off as arrogant or disingenuous, but there is no way he didn’t have by far the better of that interview.

    Agreed. I was an equal mix of rage at the arrogance and awe at how he controlled the interview. It was as impressive as it was unexpected.

    Of more concern would be that Key probably has shut down for good any further debate on the GCSB Bill on the basis that he has "destroyed" the main public critic of the Bill. How do you feel about next Monday's meeting now Russell? I'm all for fighting the good fight but I'm now wondering whether it's time to flush the dunny and move on.

    Devonport • Since Nov 2008 • 91 posts Report Reply

  • Graeme Edgeler, in reply to Glenn Pearce,

    Timing wise, could it be worse having an off game just as the new ownership starts to take shape?

    Yes. New owners will probably care how well he rates, and how much his advertising sells for, not how much good his questions are.

    Wellington, New Zealand • Since Nov 2006 • 3215 posts Report Reply

  • Dean Wallis, in reply to Julian Melville,

    "We need much, much ruder interviewers in this country."

    Or perhaps we need politicians who are prepared to answer the question...

    Point Chevalier • Since Jan 2013 • 45 posts Report Reply

  • Bruce Bisset,

    Campbell missed several opportunities to "nail" the PM, the most obvious (to me) being allowing him to blame Labour for the law (should have pointed out the concern was with Nats law changes), the second allowing him to posit that "everything's ok if its legal" (when that is exactly the heart of the problem). Attacking either point would have stopped Key in his tracks - or at least changed the dynamic. Fail.

    Hastings • Since Aug 2013 • 1 posts Report Reply

  • Glenn Pearce, in reply to Graeme Edgeler,

    True, I wonder if Mazda know how many sales they make to National voters.

    Auckland • Since Feb 2007 • 504 posts Report Reply

  • Roger Lacey,

    That was a masterclass in handling what could have been a defining episode in Key's career. Obviously on the back foot from Campbell Live's tour of the country and constant replay of his smug replies to Rebecca Wright's questions, Key fronted the issue and never got flustered. Campbell couldn't find any chink in his defenses and his glib explanations sounded perfectly plausible at first hearing. All Key had to do was last the round without losing his cool and he would be the victor. He looked and sounded like a statesman at the top of his game. It was a warning to contenders for his job that they will have to be able to match or better that performance to topple him in the opinion polls. Unfortunately, nice chap as he is, David Shearer doesn't seem to possess the skills needed to play at this level.

    Whatakataka Bay Surf Club… • Since Apr 2008 • 148 posts Report Reply

  • Russell Brown, in reply to Bruce Bisset,

    Campbell missed several opportunities to “nail” the PM

    The one for me was not pointing out that the use of urgency was incompatible with Key's insistence that the bill had not been rushed.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report Reply

  • Tom Semmens,

    I don’t know, reading online comments it seems confirmation bias is main winner of this interview in punterland. Most people made up their minds about the GCSB legislation weeks ago.

    There was a thunderous chorus of “case closed” from his supporters on Twitter

    Those supporters on Twitter meaning mainly his sycophantic fan club in the media, who can heave a sigh of relief about getting back business as usual?

    that was a masterclass in handling what could have been a defining episode in Key’s career.

    I would say John Campbell was far to complacent going into this interview. It might be a defining episode if it means Campbell is the last in a long line of people who have assumed Key’s Philistinism means he is stupid. Key might be an ignorant corporate wide boy, but ignorant corporate wide boys are often also as smart, cunning and ruthless as a shit house rat.

    We need much, much ruder interviewers in this country. Aussie TV would never have let Key get this far.

    We don’t need ruder interviewers. We need a news and current affairs media with the depth and breadth of practice to know how to do a long form interview. Key has got a dedicated propaganda department whose sole job is to prep him for important political moments, we don’t have proper specialised serious news and current affairs journalists and last night that disparity showed. Key up against someone well practiced like Eddie Mair would be a more telling interview.

    Sevilla, Espana • Since Nov 2006 • 2217 posts Report Reply

  • Leah Haines,

    Nice one Russell
    I'd like to think that Key lost more points for obfuscation than he gained from masterful media management, but I'd be dreamin.

    Wellington • Since Aug 2013 • 1 posts Report Reply

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