"We've seen through his permanent expression of ecstasy, which has curdled into a mask."
Nothing about these comments was extreme or exceptional, but what followed was an over-reaction of cosmic proportions. Overnight, newspapers flourished friendly profiles along with testimonials to Rattle's genius.
Rattle's friends went after one unknown uncritic, who turned out to be a prominent polemicist, writing under a pseudonym. Another critic was made to resign and was last seen editing a CD magazine for a record store.
Seven years after being elected and four after his triumphal entry with his portrait plastered on bus stops, Rattle is facing an ocean of troubles that cannot be held back by lashings of charm and spin control. The question being asked is whether he has the intellect, the emotional strength and the clarity of purpose to face a very different age of media dissemination.
