ask a direct question and get a gordon answer

Number10.gov has a transcript from a press conference given by Gordon Brown and Robert Fico, the PM of Slovakia. Compare the answers that both men gave to this question

Prime Minister Brown, do you still back Tony Blair in his bid for presidency of the EU and how hopeful are you that this will succeed? Prime Minister Fico, do you back Prime Minister Brown in this decision?

Gordon first

Yes, we do. This will be discussed at the meeting on Thursday, but I must say that today our main discussion was about Afghanistan. I have said that NATO and other allies can bring 5,000 additional troops to Afghanistan. The announcement by the Slovakian Prime Minister that he is prepared to bring extra troops to Afghanistan is very important. As I said, we will be approaching other countries and I believe that nearly 10 countries will be prepared to give extra support in Afghanistan, including Britain. That has been the basis of our discussions today, not talking about personalities, but policy.

See how gracefully he knits together an answer to the question asked and the topic that he really wants to highlight? Such skilled oratory. The delicate way that he seamlessly skips from one subject to the next in the blink of an eye is undetectable to all but the most skilful observer. Comparisons have been made between his verbal skills and the boxing technique of Cassius Clay. Groups of women (and men of a certain persuasion) have been known to swoon at such powerful displays of oral skill.

Compare the artistry of that reply with the simplistic approach of Robert Fico

I would like to add to the answer of the Prime Minister. I would like to say that, in my view, the President of the Council should not be just a man who simply organises meetings and directs or hosts the discussion. I believe that the position of the European Union is such that, for this position, we need a personality that is respected in Europe as well as all around the world. However, we spend so much energy on institutional issues that it would be really bad if we spent equal amounts of energy on personal issues. I believe that the next meetings of the Council would focus mainly and exclusively on the issues of the global crisis and economic issues. I can also only confirm that today’s meeting focused on these principal topics.

who actually answers a question with a direct answer. No doubt Gordon will be tutoring him intensely between now and Copenhagen .......