Ouch!

On more than one occasion I have had occasion to question the abilities and/or motivations of our major commentariat.

Thanks to a person with a spectacular memory and awesome filing system, I think I know why...

Brown shows he can forgive and forget

Specifically:

GoldenAxe
Oct 03 08, 1:23pm

Oh, and who said:

"who can now doubt that the macho spin-machine created by Campbell and Mandelson has been horrifically damaging for Labour and for the reputation of politics generally?

and this

But like so much that Mandelson gets involved with, you don't feel you are getting the facts straight. For once, the Tories have it right: the word "slippery" seems highly appropriate for this arch plotter.

Hello Jackie!

Superb. In an age of commentary and opinion elevated way beyond rational value, it is nice to see a simple dish of facts served cold and hard.

One hopes that, with pieces like this being added to the body of work on the CV, others in the family will be there to cover the mortgage... and banner. Oh.

The owners and brand guardians of the paper must be so proud.

Newsnight - Reshuffle Questions

Why does the expression 'A few Jokers short of a deck' spring to mind in this context?

While, to be fair, the same holds true elsewhere. Why is it that, with 30M able-bodied adults to choose from in the UK, we seem to be subjected to the same, limited selection, from the same stagnant pool time after time.

Looking at the punditry being cranked out on this, especially, Oh, Lord, Mr. Mandelson, I am struck by the disconnect between 'in-Village' and the real world, with talk already of 'giving chances,' 'has grudging respect of peers,' etc.

No matter how you try to intellectualise it all, the possible brainpower of aspirant leaders is not much good if no one fancies following them. Tricky finding the calibre required of course, as I am minded of the notion that the right person for the job would not be in their right mind to apply, much less accept it, these days.

I have a vision of a plucky khaki crew on the Western political front. At the head our Dear Leader crying 'Charge... I am the one to sort this out!' as... if... when he emerges from the bunker to stick his head over the parapet, reluctantly followed by a few who really have no choice not to and are all out of options. With a few chatterati cheerleaders back in a chateau a wee bit further behind the lines, penning some more cheering them on.

Meanwhile the rest of us in the trench are just hunkering down, hoping we can hang on until there's a vote.

Gaurdian - 'Masterstroke, or desperation?'

Ooooo, tricky one. Let me see, based on past strokes of the master...

Gaurdian - Mandelson is back where he belongs

I know I am not a skilled, well paid spinmeister, but I have to say headlining a piece '...back where he belongs.' in any context these days, but especially a political one, a labour political one at that, and with a character whose past is so 'colourful', seems a well interesting choice.

Guardain - O brother, here art thou

Gaurdian - This 1997 tribute band is out of tune with our times -

Speaking as you do, of a 'Government of All the Talents'.

The Minister for Dark Arts arrives and... coincidentally, time for a GOAT sacrifice or two.

The Party must be soooo proud.

Must be fun being a headhunter for high office types these days.

'Must be capable of swallowing pride, kissing ass, principles and career goodbye... for the cause, you understand'.

That'll get the quality guys in.

ps: 'The Bootleg Soclialists?'

You hum 'em, I'll play 'em.

Telegraph - Peter Mandelson 3: The Return of the King

Times - The Cabinet reshuffle: supergroup, or a sad tribute act?