The words that were chosen by the Editor to place up on TT don’t include the syrupy start to the article, and its not the first time that Ms Neales has pumped up the Premier’s supposed likeability …
“PREMIER David Bartlett is not someone who is easy to despise.”
and,
“Mr Bartlett is likable [sic] and articulate, has bright ideas for a better future for Tasmania and a nice young family.
He rides bikes, takes camping holidays, likes a beer and a barbecue, and is not inclined to either belligerence or pomposity.”
“Likable”? Who says? Most people I know, including my politically naive hairdresser and her colleagues, think he’s a snake oil salesman and not a very good one at that.
“He rides bikes [and] takes camping holidays”. What has that got to do with anything?
“[He] likes a beer and a barbecue”? So who doesn’t? Does he also protect pregnant women and like puppies?
“[He has] a nice young family”? So what. And why no mention of the way he uses that same “nice young family” for political gain in his political advertisements?
Then there is the claim that our Premier is “not inclined to … belligerance”.
The teachers at Elizabeth College would strongly disagree with that one.
And the residents of the Tamar Valley.
And those sensible enough to see that a waterfront hospital was ridiculous.
And the people who believe the Premier lied about the McCreadie reappointment.
And the people opposed to the Tarkine Road proposal.
And the Save Ralphs Bay members.
And … well, you get the point. David Bartlett has actually been extremely belligerent of late, hasn’t he.
This is supposed to be a political analysis, but the touchy-feely personal pump-up of the Premier fits like a hand inside a glove with Labor’s Presidential-style election campaigning, and leaves me wondering … why?
Didn’t Paul Lennon like a beer and a barbecue?
Didn’t Paul Lennon have a nice, older family?
Wasn’t Paul Lennon the antithesis of pompous?
Yes to all three.
So why is Bartlett, who many decribe as a different toilet with the same old crap, on the receiving end of these personal endorsements from the Chief Political Reporter at the State’s biggest newspaper?
