I was at a Debbie press conference recently, journos asking questions about a certain controversial piece of legislation the Oppn were throwing up, D. just kept repeating his soundbites for the evening news, says the details will wait and clearly had no idea of the history, precedents etc. Conf ends, in comes Stoner to have a go about water policy. While they’re setting up for him, he spontaneously gives the journos all the detail they want about it, simple and clear. Sheesh. I wondered at the time if he was narked he had to do his leader’s job for him (and off camera too.)

but i’ll go with the “bit of a dillâ€?,

Stick with that Jo, confirmed today by a colleague who used to work for him a few years ago.

I don’t care whether Morris Iemma wants to sit or stand – he can even lie down if he feels more comfortable – I just want country people to be given the chance to hear what the premier’s plans are compared to those of the Nationals.

Iemma replies.

This is a vote of no-confidence in Opposition Leader Peter Debnam’s ability to handle a rigorous policy debate on issues affecting rural and regional NSW, Mr Iemma said.

The member for Vaucluse is so out of touch with the issues facing rural families, it’s no wonder Andrew Stoner has no confidence in his ability.

The member for Vaucluse………………..where is my shot glass?

i’m still stuck in the broggers-meltdown. he would have been well on his way to premier by now….

barry o’farrell – would be leader if it was the alp. they might be standing around in long robes holding upside crosses, but they aren’t stupid.

He always seems to come across on tv as some sort of robot.

I always had the impression that this was because Iemma’s so terrible at actually responding or debating off the cuff that he wraps himself up in a total script scenario. He gets flustered if he doesn’t know exactly what’s going to happen – I keep remembering his first few press conferences as Premier, when he failed to keep his cool under the press gang’s pressure and was a total PR dud until his minders started drilling him with key phrases to say when he became nervous.

I kind of agree with Senior on that one point – it wouldn’t be a bad move for Debnam to push Iemma into some off-the-cuff stuff. Mind you, I have the feeling that if Debnam were pushed the same way, he’d expose himself further as a fool.

Honestly I wouldn’t be this narky about the Libs if Barry O’Farrell was the leader, every time he makes a public statement he sounds sane and in control, the contrast is obvious. And you get the impression that he’d be able to keep the nuttier members of the Libs away from the knives and forks in the Parlt House dining room.

i know this local schmokel stuff, but i checked with a women who has known all the local mp’s, mayors and assorted hanger-ons for multiple decades….. in her late 70′s and most pollies can’t away from her without having committed $10K to some local cause or what not. formidable..anyway, she said peter was very nice, always comes over to say hello etc, but her opinion – “bit of a dill”. she said he came to a chamber of commerce meeting and his speech – everyone was rolling their eyes…also his electorate office was pretty poor in responding – either didnt, or just sent lame replies – so she sends stuff to the state mp in the next electorate who responds and sends onto ministers etc. (malcolm’s office is apparently very well run, as was peter king’s.)

dont what this means in practice when you are Opp. Leader with minders/pr/speechwriters etc, but i’ll go with the “bit of a dill”, until i hear anything different.