The first post Cabinet press conference

John Armstring has an interesting narrative on John Key’s first post Cabinet press conference.

The Monday press conference enables a Prime Minister to say things without saying things. A particular inflection in Helen Clark’s voice or change in her facial expression could speak volumes about the previous Prime Minister’s real opinion of something or someone compared with the official version.

Journalists could pick up what she meant. If that resulted in trouble, she could still deny she had ever said it. Such is the symbiotic relationship between politician and political journalist.

Key, obviously, has some way to go on that front. And his Monday audience has to work out when he means something and when he doesn’t.

How about if he says it, he means it? Or is that too naive?