As Sir Humphrey would have said, "That's courageous"

Yesterday, President of the European Commission, Herman Van Rompuy, subjected himself to a live Q&A session via Twitter. Now, I don't wish to be rude - but who on earth advised him to do that?  Somewhat akin to Sarah Palin turning up at a Georgetown dinner party in search of donations?

As Sir Humphrey Appleby would have said, "that's very courageous, Minister."  

Here are some of the highlights or lowlights, depending on your view of President Van Rompuy.

Welcome all to this live Twitter Q&A on innovation. I may not answer all Qs, but will try to answer as many as possible #Askthepresident

— Herman Van Rompuy (@euHvR) October 21, 2013

 

.@euHvR Are you going to answer any questions about EU waste and lack of democracy, or just those you find comfortable? #AskthePresident
— Mark Wallace (@wallaceme) October 21, 2013

Feeling disenfranchised. Herman didn't answer any of my questions. Oh wait, can't vote for him anyway. #Askthepresident
— Benjamin Pelc (@screwlabour) October 21, 2013

#Askthepresident @euHvR Can I introduce to you to BritishGas, they may or may not, have a few social media hints for you. Just a suggestion
— Giles Dilnot (@reporterboy) October 21, 2013

Youth unemployment in Switzerland 3%. Youth unemployment in Greece 67%. Proud of your work? #Askthepresident
— Lord Old Holborn (@OHwinsAgain) October 21, 2013

Dear #AskThePresident Who voted for you? pic.twitter.com/HVc9e5vVC8
— Lord Old Holborn (@OHwinsAgain) October 21, 2013

#Askthepresident I thought a 'president' was meant to be an elected position? I don't remember voting for a president. @euHvR
— Tom Curragh (@TomCurragh) October 18, 2013

@euHvR who elected you, how can you claim to speak for me? #Askthepresident
— Patrick O'Flynn (@oflynnexpress) October 21, 2013

#AskThePresident: You and your Liberals tax cigarettes and alcohol to reduce consumption, so why do you tax capital and job creators? #tcot
— Janie Johnson (@jjauthor) October 22, 2013

#AskThePresident: : What is your ‘fair share’ of what someone else has earned?"#tcot pic.twitter.com/V6sa8xwn31 #Tcot
— Janie Johnson (@jjauthor) October 21, 2013

Can you please reveal the result of the 2014 Eurovision Song Contest? #AskthePresident
— A Libertarian Rebel (@A_Liberty_Rebel) October 21, 2013

Twitter PR Disaster for EU President Herman Van Rompuy - #AskThePresident http://t.co/OZaaPLIPbk via @sharethis
— Welsh Vader (@psd101970) October 22, 2013

I enjoyed yesterday's Twitter Q&A on #innovation and #digitalagenda. Have a look at our behind the scenes video: http://t.co/Fjc2JayUGK
— Herman Van Rompuy (@euHvR) October 22, 2013