Always one to pursue reality, for the first time in yonks I logged on to view the uncut version of Bolt vs Rudd - apparently there is no such thing so I sat through Bolt's edited versions instead.
The tape hardly started to roll for Part 1 than Bolt pre-empted the interview by stating: "... today, head to head with PM Kevin Rudd as his boat people deal collapses ..."
What an offensive and disrespectful manner to treat our PM. So much for investigative and unbiased journalism; this was pure shock-jock stuff aimed at unsettling Rudd; something we have never seen Bolt do to Tony Abbott.
After 1:50 seconds of listening to Bolt's edited comments and his fresh criticisms Rudd was finally given the chance to speak.
Just 43 seconds into Rudd's first answer Bolt rudely interrupted and dumped in another loaded question, taking 26 seconds in opinionated comment before actually putting that question. Another 18 seconds for Rudd's response and Bolt again rudely interjected in an apparent attempt to prevent Rudd completing his answer. Just ten seconds later and another interjection and politicised comment from Bolt.
Rudd's second opportunity to respond lasted 50 seconds but was punctuated by two major interruptions with highly controversial statements by Bolt.
Bolt's next question took him a full 23 seconds to ask and after allowing Rudd 25 seconds to respond Bolt again butted in to truncate the response. Bolt's next question was about PNG, studded with his highly problematic opinion took a full 20 seconds to ask. This time just 13 seconds into Rudd's response Bolt again rudely interjected, followed 5 seconds later by yet another rude interjection by Bolt as he talked way over the top of Rudd - almost yelling at him. Just ten seconds later and Bolt was squirming and so emphatic about butting in that Rudd was allowed just 7 seconds before Bolt cut him off. But Rudd's next response didn't even get to run 3 seconds before Bolt once again talked over the top of Rudd as he responded.
Bolt then asserted his personal views via loaded questions and finally allowed Rudd 20 seconds to respond.
Even Rudd's truncated response made Bolt look quite stupid, opinionated and ill-informed so yet again Bolt repeatedly stated his opinion about Rudd's answers before allowing Rudd just 10 seconds to reply and Part 1 ended.
So there it is - Bolt's 7:33 Part 1 edited interview afforded Kevin Rudd 181 seconds punctuated by interruptions; that other 4:32 was taken up by Bolt's poorly researched and highly opinionated assertions.
Rudd answered respectfully and informatively despite Bolt's methodology; leaving Bolt squirming in his chair and obviously flustered that he had neither infuriated Rudd, prompted noddies from him nor caused him to storm off the set.
