Turnbull takes the piss with Kerry O'Brien

Link: The 7.30 Report - ABC. (see video in windows media player on broadband)

KERRY O'BRIEN: And we're out of time. Malcolm Turnbull, I'll be curious to see how long it takes you to find something good to say about Kevin Rudd, but thanks very much for talking with us tonight.

MALCOLM TURNBULL: Look, I've just gotta select something that will keep you as amused as you've amused me tonight.

I've noticed in recent interviews that O'Brien has done with Turnbull that he really struggles. O'Brien has long intimidated many political interviewees but not Turnbull, who obviously thinks Kerry is either not up to much or has left his best days behind him. Or perhaps its Turnbull's intellect or his background as a journalist that seems to make him feel that O'Brien is so harmless.

If Kerry can't get on top of this, Turnbull's promotion may be the cue for O'Brien's departure.

Comments

[Troy Edwards]

Last night's 7:30 Report interview with Turnbull was fascinating if only for the ease with which Turnbull turned aside several lines of questioning with a genuine laugh and smile - a humour lacking from so many others.

It will be fascinating to see how the voters and the politerati handle Turnbull. His responses to questions about his temper and Neville Wran would have struck a cord with middle Australia. Not so sure the lines about doing it tough in the eastern suburbs of Sydney will be so popular.

And from a Mexican's perspective, I wonder how all those Victorian Liberals are feeling about their chances of getting anywhere near a leadership role in the federal party given Captain Smirk's continuing obsfucation ...

[anon]

really?

I thought Turnball's relaxed demeanour seemed a little studied.

IMO, laughing off O'Brien's questions made Turnball seem flippant if not arrogant; feeding into an image I'm sure he'd be wanting to shake off..

[Bob Meade]

On ABC radio this morning Turnbull was again taking the laughing/humourous approach to qustions about his family wealth. Having had the night to think about Kerry O'Brien's question, he found something good to say about not only Mr. Rudd, but also Therese Rein, complementing her on her commercial ability in building up such wealth via her business, and Mr. Rudd for assisting.

Humour plays quite well with Australians.