to wonder why politicians bother to say anything?

[SlightlySuperiorPeasant]

Every morning news report today has something in it about "At the party conference later today, Nick Clegg will say x, y and z. He will argue that a, b and c. His supporters will urge m, n and o while his detractors will say t, u and v."

It happens every day. Why do politicians bother saying anything when what they will say has already been reported? It is dull and rather absurd.

they have to appear to be doing something.

This sounds more like sesame street than the news.

It's the pressure of 24/7 rolling news. A continual process of speculation on what might be said followed by reporting of what was actually said followed by analysis of what was really meant by what was actually said. I miss the old days when they'd just play you the speech and let you make up your own mind.....

Either I haven't been paying attention or it seems to be a fairly recent phenomenon (last year or so). It's just so boring, like the 'sneak preview of next week's episode' or a trailer that shows you all the good bits so there's no point seeing the film. Nothing is a surprise, or a shock, or news.

Sesame street is rather similar :o