PM ANSWERS

Well the Prime Minister finally got a chance to answer questions from members of the mainstream media, but it was a production of the government information service. It aired on WIN TV, CNMG, CNC 3 and TV6 late Friday evening.
His interviewers were Rosemarie Sant (Head of News at CNC), Ria Taitt (political reporter at the Newsday), and Anthony Wilson (Editor of the Business Guardian).

Several questions arise. Who chose the panel? You have two print reporters, and two of them (Wilson and Sant) from the same media house. What happened to the other media houses, print, television and radio? Were they included in the potential list? Or were these three the only ones who wanted to interview the PM at his bequest? Well the perception is that the interview was at the PM's bequest since none of the stations created any promos saying they were going to have the all-important interview with him (except for Jason Williams at Synergy, who got an exclusive, and even that is suspect).

The interviewers all seemed a bit soft on Mr Manning, as if they didn't want to upset him with hard questions, and they let him ramble on and on without too much interruption. They sounded as if they were speaking to a baby, in soft subdued tones.
And they all asked questions looong questions. At one point Mr Manning asked Ria "Which part would you like me to answer first?" Then Rosemarie asked a series of questions on crime and he again started to answer by saying "First of all....".
Close to the end of the interview, Anthony Wilson tried to ruffle the PM by asking him why people perceive him as having dictatorial tendencies. Mr Manning smiled and said "I have no idea" and Anthony burst out laughing. What was so funny? That he sidestepped you so easily? Then he launched into a monologue on weak and strong leaders.

At the end of it all they each dutifully said "Thank you Mr Prime Minister" (and we almost expected them to give a little curtsey or bow).
Steups! Yes thanks indeed Mr PM for showing up our "toothless bulldogs" just like Nalon Dwarika said!