Friday, February 5, 2016

Lisa Wilkinson blasts Clive Palmer, scores own goal

Lots of cheering on of "feisty" Lisa Wilkinson over her clash with Clive Palmer this morn. Can't say I have any sympathy for the bloke. As far as I'm concerned he's a blustering buffoon who got into politics to expand -- or perhaps save? -- his business empire, or to wreak havoc on his foes... or something. Whatever his motivations, they seem not to include sincerely wanting to make things better for Australians generally.

That said, there's no denying that the Today Show host was extremely rude to him. Didn't really ask him questions so much as rattle off a list of accusations. Clearly, she wasn't interested in what he had to say. Just wanted to shame him before her audience by using the "shirt-fronting" approach. (Actually that's prolly not the best phrase to use given the bloke's girth. For the same reason neither is "toe to toe", employed in this article about the clash. Still, I'm sure you get my drift.)

The exchange was truly unedifying to watch. If Wilkinson were clever and professional, she could have asked some hard questions then, er, respectfully let him beclown himself. She could have increased this effect by pointing out the falsity of his answers. That's a much more effective approach.

Another obvious conclusion to be drawn from this little episode was her selectivity. Doubtless there's no way she would use this aggro tactic on one of her own anointed leftie fellow travellers. Take David Morrison for example.

He also deserves to be taken to task for his actions. But can you imagine Wilkinson -- or one of her fellow travellers in the MSM for that matter -- ever treating him with the contempt she showed Clive Palmer? Odds of that happening: less than one squillionth of buggerall.

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