An awkward moment caught on camera speaks volumes about messaging gone wrong for just an instant, writes Mike Smithson.

Frank Pangallo has walked the walk and talked it as well for the best part of five decades as a hard-nosed newspaper journalist, editor, television current affairs reporter, media advisor and politician.

By any measure, that’s a good grounding to see the world through different eyes and be able to make a difference.

That’s why the Libs had been trying to get him on board in the seat of Waite for several weeks when I was first tipped off that change was afoot.

Frank and I go back almost as long as each other in the media, and whilst we’re not close mates, we do have a healthy respect for the way each other operates.

When it was confirmed to me last Friday that Frank’s successful nomination was about to be announced, there was no way I was going to let that gem go through unreported.

I took a leaf out of Frank’s own book that if you’re not first to the story, you’re last.

It was then firmed up on Saturday that a media conference would be held the next day.

I contacted Frank but didn’t receive a reply until after the story had aired exclusively that night on 7News.

In forthright Frank fashion he said he hadn’t returned my call because he knew I’d be “all over the story” anyway.

But the friendly........

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