“Malcolm Turnbull’s getting cracky,” declared Laurie Oakes on Channel Nine last night. At the media, at least.
Two-sentence-long questions were dismissed as an “address” by Turnbull on the trail yesterday. One ABC reporter, who asked him about a republic, was sneeringly referenced in the response, regarding people who “don’t have secure jobs with a government agency”. An entirely fair Q from Tony Jones last week was met with accusations of doing Labor’s bidding in his arrogant A.
Perhaps Turnbull believed the honeymoon he enjoyed on ascending to the leadership could last forever. Perhaps he thought journalists, many no doubt enjoying the fact this election campaign is being fought largely in the ideological middle, wouldn’t apply any scrutiny to the gymnastics he’s been forced into on past positions to keep his party in line.
Perhaps, like a certain political candidate across the Pacific, Turnbull has decided he can simply beat up the press when things aren’t going well. Dismissing questions he doesn’t like. Punishing journalists who challenge him.
For a man who will almost certainly lead the nation for another three years, the temperament is worrying.
Assuming Turnbull wins the triumphalism of the right will be deafening, let alone Turnbull being snaky about a couple of pesky questions or inquisitors.
Abetz, Bernardi, Brandis et al have all been told to keep their traps shut according to Peta Credlin and have largely done so; to stop reminded us of how odious are their policies. But come Sunday the restraints are off and no doubt we will get them at full strength.
If the Brits now have regrets about how they voted for Brexit it will pale by comparison as Turnbull voters realise they have been duped again.
Gotta say, watching the media realize Turdball is a conman may be worth having him as PM for a few years. It is really, really, *really* funny.
Pity is, so many masquerading as ‘reporting the news’, have taken so long to lose those voluntary scales they grew on their eyes – guess that’s what happens when an expert is tickling your ticklish spots?
Hasn’t told a porky along this trail – believes everything he’s said is true?
The latest Malpractice :- “A vote for Xenophon and anyone else not of the majors (but especially his Limited News Party?) is a waste!”? Two words to say to that – “Brian Harradine”?
“For a man who will almost certainly lead the nation for another three years, the temperament is worrying.”
Really Crikey?
Are you so clueless as to think Turnbull would last another three years, even if he wins?
Just look at the zoo who comprise his backbench. (And half of his frontbench.)
He may well scrape in on Saturday, but another three years? Laughable.
Malcolm has been well-behaved so far, but in the last days of the campaign when tiredness takes over he is unable to suppress his real self.
“Alien? John Hurt writhing on the dinner table …. then “up pops” Real Malcolm …”
Same people that voted Abbott in, haven’t heard anything about power bills going down after the carbon tax was repealed. Same people still think it was a good idea, same people will vote for Turnbull, and won’ t dawn that they made a mistake.