- Joined
- Dec 30, 2010
- Messages
- 12,730
- Points
- 113
TT's campaign could not have gotten a better start, leading the competition by miles ahead. Now, after a few weeks, it is in shatters, all of his own making. He had the cyber bloggers eating out of his hand for a while by inviting them to the press conference. He then had lunch and tea with separate groups. Together with the Bradell Brothel, he was unassailable.
Then the cyberguys concluded that he was not what he said he was and the TOC (notwithstanding his bootlicking of them in public) dialogue videos showed that he is not the statesman that we had been led to believe all these years. Suddenly, the mini emperor had no clothes. So, what went wrong?
a) Appointment of daughter and his GIC Communications Manager to run his media relations. Out of deference to the old man, daughter and employee would not quite disagree with TT. (the use of Jennifer Lewis of GIC, albeit on paid leave to run the campaign, raises the question of appropiateness). Therefore, how to be independent?
b)The refusal to answer basic questions pertaining to Patrick's NS obligations and the latter's last minute cancellation of meeting with blogger Nizam till September say it all. I don't think there is a need for a meeting in September. The excuse was that he was rushing through an urgent project. But he did not offer to clarify in writing. That speaks volumes.
c) Ah Peks, Ah Mahs are now getting involved - check out the coffee shops and the wet markets and listen to the cynicism. They may not have access to internet and SPH can continue to play their unifying role - but their children and grandchildren are feeding back tid-bits and the stories they hear remind them of THEIR days of Nantah etc - and the fighting spirit has revived.
But all said and done, I do feel sorry for him. For all the milions and the wonderful family that he has, it is quite pitiful to see him struggling to make comments (during TOC event) which will win him votes and at the same time, protect the record of himself and his ex-colleagues. His body language is that of a very uncomfortable man, doing something which he did not volunteer for, and hating every moment of it. Along the way, the lustre of the President's post has taken a hit.
Prataman must be licking his lips, appreciating what he has "achieved" - undeserved millions over the years.
Then the cyberguys concluded that he was not what he said he was and the TOC (notwithstanding his bootlicking of them in public) dialogue videos showed that he is not the statesman that we had been led to believe all these years. Suddenly, the mini emperor had no clothes. So, what went wrong?
a) Appointment of daughter and his GIC Communications Manager to run his media relations. Out of deference to the old man, daughter and employee would not quite disagree with TT. (the use of Jennifer Lewis of GIC, albeit on paid leave to run the campaign, raises the question of appropiateness). Therefore, how to be independent?
b)The refusal to answer basic questions pertaining to Patrick's NS obligations and the latter's last minute cancellation of meeting with blogger Nizam till September say it all. I don't think there is a need for a meeting in September. The excuse was that he was rushing through an urgent project. But he did not offer to clarify in writing. That speaks volumes.
c) Ah Peks, Ah Mahs are now getting involved - check out the coffee shops and the wet markets and listen to the cynicism. They may not have access to internet and SPH can continue to play their unifying role - but their children and grandchildren are feeding back tid-bits and the stories they hear remind them of THEIR days of Nantah etc - and the fighting spirit has revived.
But all said and done, I do feel sorry for him. For all the milions and the wonderful family that he has, it is quite pitiful to see him struggling to make comments (during TOC event) which will win him votes and at the same time, protect the record of himself and his ex-colleagues. His body language is that of a very uncomfortable man, doing something which he did not volunteer for, and hating every moment of it. Along the way, the lustre of the President's post has taken a hit.
Prataman must be licking his lips, appreciating what he has "achieved" - undeserved millions over the years.
