Blair first guest on Sky's new show

[mrfrapp]

Tony Blair is likely to get one of the easier grillings of his political career this evening, when he will be interviewed by James Rubin, a former aide to Bill Clinton, who presents a new Sky News show.

Mr Rubin, who will be one of the channel's star political commentators, has pledged not to "joust" with politicians in the adversarial style favoured by Jeremy Paxman and John Humphrys.

<snip>

Asked whether he intended to follow in the footsteps of Mr Paxman and Mr Humphrys, he said: "I have no problem with those guys. They can do whatever they want. They have their own roles in the media business. It's not what I aspire to."

There's a place in journalism for people who give the Government a hard time. I don't pretend that I will become that kind of journalist."

http://news.independent.co.uk/media/article321741.ece

I'll be tuning in I think, but it does sound as though I might be tuning out pretty quickly.

[muriel_volestrangler]

1. Rubin is fooling himself

"I'd like to think we'd have an intelligent discussion about the big issues of the day, Iran and Iraq."

There's no way Blair would talk, intelligently, in public or in private, about Iraq. He's spending the entire time trying to cover his own arse, and protecting Dubya (it wouldn't be so bad if it was the USA that he felt a concern for, but it's this bloody president he thinks he owes something to). I suspect that, in public at least, he'd do the same on Iran.

If Rubin wants to take over the mantle of 'pushover interviewer' from David Frost, he's welcome to it. I'm reminded of this earlier DU UK poll: the haddock won by a mile!

[mrfrapp]

2. Jousting

You're right, he is deluding himself. From the article, Rubin says:

"There's a place in journalism for people who give the Government a hard time. I don't pretend that I will become that kind of journalist."

It doesn't sound like he'll become any kind of journalist. I suspect he will become a successful TV news personality, which is probably his real goal anyway.

No. Journalists having "discussions" with politicians doesn't sound too appealing to me. It may work occasionally if the politician wants to give a frank interview but there's little point having a discussion with Blair about anything, let alone Iraq or Iran. Subjects like Blair (ie. government ministers) need to be "jousted" with.

[moggie]

5. I didn't see that poll

I'd definitely have voted for the haddock. It would certainly have livened up TV news and current affairs:

Intervewier: Prime Minister, in view of your recent comments about education reform, I'd like, if I may, to slap you with this large haddock.

Blair: Well, I don't really see--

SMACK!

Blair: Oww! Hey, y'know, I--

SMACK!

That might tempt me back to TV. Rubin won't. He's a "former aide to Bill Clinton", so it's not surprising if he wants to continue his cosy relationship with politicians. And he'll get plenty of guests if they know they'll have an easy ride.

[mr blur]

3. I expect he'll do what Uncle Rupert says.

Mr Rubin, who will be one of the channel's star political commentators, has pledged not to "joust" with politicians in the adversarial style favoured by Jeremy Paxman and John Humphrys.

Not much point in watching then.

[D-Notice]

4. A Murdoch entity

fawning over our Dear Leader?! Whatever next?