Is it over for Rann?

[Jimmy_041]

Premier Mike Rann denies sidelining ABC host Matthew Abraham from election debate
Daniel Wills, Political Reporter From: AdelaideNow
February 24, 2010 12:00PM

PREMIER Mike Rann has denied he attempted to ban ABC Radio journalist Matt Abraham from the interview panel of a televised election debate.
Mr Rann and Opposition Leader Isobel Redmond were yesterday locked in a public spat over when the showdown would be held. The pair has now agreed to go head-to-head on Channel 10 next Wednesday.

Mr Abraham today told ABC 891 Adelaide morning show listeners the Premier's office had attempted to remove him from the interview panel and install a television reporter in his place.

He said a letter from Channel 10 sent to the leaders on December 21 proposed an interview panel including himself, The Advertiser's Greg Kelton and Channel 10 reporter Daniela Ritorto.

"I then found out I had been uninvited," Mr Abraham said.

He said the Premier's senior media advisor Jill Bottrall confirmed in a phone call the Government requested his name be removed.

"She thought it was more important having people covering the campaign day-to-day on the panel," Mr Abraham said.

Mr Rann today denied he had "misled" journalists and had attemped to have Mr Abraham removed.

"I am more than happy for Matthew Abraham to be on the debate panel," Mr Rann said.

"I think it would be terrific for Channel 10 to offer positions on that debate panel to representatives of other media organisations.

"The more the merrier. I'm relaxed about whoever it is that's on the panel."

Mr Rann said he was "unaware" of discussions between his media office and Channel 10 asking for the ABC to change its representative.

Shortly before noon, Mr Rann repeated the denials on the mornings program an conceded a staffer had "suggested to have the political reporters from the different stations".

"If there's been any misleading then I apologise for that," he said.

I ask the question: Is Rann in charge of his own destiny or is Jill Bottrall?

Attempt at an absolute manipulation of the media - if there's one thing about the ABC guys, is that they give both sides a grilling and pull them up on their bullshit

[dedja]

C'mon, give us a break. This is nothing new and nobody gives a toss ... plus the 'issue' has been and gone last week.

Will contribute 0.00000001% to the election result.

[redandblack]

Agreed, but Jimmy's a little terrier, isn't he

As for destiny, Isabel has said she's not in charge of hers.

[Jimmy_041]

Actually - I was sitting on a beach for a couple of days last week (if you didn't miss me) and didn't know about it until Telstra sent my wife a ##### SMS at 6.30am and woke me up so i got on here

Rann has now said that he doesn't know what his principle media adviser is up to (Yeah right!!!!)

Is he in charge of his own destiny if he doesn't know what is right hand woman is organising?

This should be moved this to "The Question of Trust" thread

[dedja]

It was actually a tad funny when the news 'broke'. Matt Abarham made a joke of it on the Mornings show because he didn't know he was on the panel for the debate until after Jill kyboshed it.

So he asked listeners to call in with stories of when they maybe had been uninvited to something before they knew they were invited.

Then later in the week when he got re-reinstated he was making fun of what he should wear to the debate.

Even I nearly laughed which is saying something because I think Matt and Dave are billigerent tossers most of the time.

[Jimmy_041]

I actually like listening to them. No fear nor favour and ask the questions that I want to ask when someone gets on their high horse

They have a few political scalps in this election

I know this is history again, but someone just PM'd this to me - #### I laughed

http://twitter.com/MediaEffinJill

[dedja]

LOL, that's gold

[Gozu]

"Did Andrew Bolt do a "Channel Seven?":

"And I’m not surprised by women turning on Rann, after his treatment of Michelle Chantelois, his former lover:"

http://blogs.crikey.com.au/purepoison/2 ... nel-seven/

I hope he goes after him, Bolt's got plenty of money to lose.

[dedja]

Make the bastard retract and force an apology ... if not, then sue his arse off.

[Squawk]

Why does the Premier look so grumpy all the time in recent weeks?

Unhappy with the media?
Unhappy with Michelle Chantalois?
Unhappy with both?
Something else?

This is an election campaign - I'm surprised he's not doing everything he can to project the image he is trying to project - that "we're getting on with the job".

[redandblack]

Good point, squawk.

All 4, I think, and looking fearful about what might surface

[southee]

Why does the Premier look so grumpy all the time in recent weeks?

Unhappy with the media?
Unhappy with Michelle Chantalois?
Unhappy with both?
Something else?

This is an election campaign - I'm surprised he's not doing everything he can to project the image he is trying to project - that "we're getting on with the job".

Looks very tired and weary to me.....

...and yes, R&B Shaun Micallef is a genius

[Psyber]

Agreed, but Jimmy's a little terrier, isn't he
As for destiny, Isabel has said she's not in charge of hers.

I think you've taken Isobel's comment slightly out of context there..
Accidental or deliberate?
http://www.isobelredmond.com.au/

[redandblack]

Genuine thanks for correcting me on her name spelling, Psyber.

Where on her site do I go to follow the 'destiny' thing.

I'm interested, as I heard her say it originally, so I'd like to know how she explains it.

[Hondo]

Why does the Premier look so grumpy all the time in recent weeks?

Unhappy with the media?
Unhappy with Michelle Chantalois?
Unhappy with both?
Something else?

This is an election campaign - I'm surprised he's not doing everything he can to project the image he is trying to project - that "we're getting on with the job".

It would be partly due to the images the media are choosing to show. Every time I see a news clip they show an anxious or angry image of Rann. It suits their story of the build up to the election. The determined underdog v the worried and grumpy incumbent. They'd have lots of file images they could use but that's the style they are choosing for now.

I guess it's up to Rann and his team to work hard to get the images he wants out there.

The election campaign has felt a bit light on from the ALP Camp side so far is my impression.

[Jimmy_041]

Have to agree with you hondo - you only need to go to the Advertiser website and look at the photos they use for Rann on the main page - they aint good looks

[Psyber]

Genuine thanks for correcting me on her name spelling, Psyber.
Where on her site do I go to follow the 'destiny' thing.
I'm interested, as I heard her say it originally, so I'd like to know how she explains it.

Dunno actually...
I've only had a couple of quick looks at the site, and was looking for other things.

[redandblack]

Agreed, but Jimmy's a little terrier, isn't he
As for destiny, Isabel has said she's not in charge of hers.

I think you've taken Isobel's comment slightly out of context there..
Accidental or deliberate?
http://www.isobelredmond.com.au/

You gave me the link, Psyber, after saying I'd taken her out of context and asking if it was deliberate or not.

It wasn't out of context and it was just reporting what I'd heard.

[wycbloods]

I heard the same thing R&B.

[Psyber]

You gave me the link, Psyber, after saying I'd taken her out of context and asking if it was deliberate or not.
It wasn't out of context and it was just reporting what I'd heard.

I'd gone to the site and posted it just to confirm the spelling for you..
My comment about "out of context" was from my memory of hearing her comment about not handling the the coordination of the details of her schedule herself.
That was the context in which she had said she was "not in charge of" her destiny - you not so subtly broadened it each time you referred to it.