Sycophant of the Month: September 2009

Total number of ProvGov press releases issued in September: 172 (+55 from August).

Total number with the phrase "Williams Government": 7 (+1 from August).

Sycophancy index: 4.1% (-1.0% from August).

The SI in September took a tumble, despite the slight increase in absolute Williamsgovernmentiness, thanks to a massive increase in the number of releases issued. And that increase was largely driven by an increase in the number of media advisories: first, you announce that you are going to announce something.

September scoring was led off by the previous month’s champ, Trevor Taylor, banging in three in a row on the second, fourth, and eighth. Doc King and Susan Sullivan each tipped one in on the 16th. Trevor was back on the board on the 21st, while Danny Williams-Government himself scored to end the action on the 28th.

But the outcome was hardly ever in doubt. Three in a row, and four for the month, with over half the points in his name, Trevor Taylor is your September Sycophant of the Month, taking the title for the sixth consecutive time.

And for the last. Just three days after scoring his final point, Triv hung up his little politician’s uniform for good. Or for now. Who knows?

The six months he was monthly champ make him fourth, behind Joan Burke, Danny Williams-Government, and Tom Marshall, in the all-time number of monthly titles. And his six months were consecutive; only Joan Burke’s eight-month streak in 2007-08 can top that achievement.

In addition, Triv has scored a staggering 49 career points as lead minister in a Williamsgovernmenty press release. He finishes his career second only to Joan Burke — and ahead of DWG himself. And 39 of those 49 points were notched up during this calendar year. Triv has truly gone out at the top of his game.

All of this to say that T.T.’s departure deserves recognition with only the third-ever award of the title of Assentator Emeritus, handed out for special achievement in sycophancy. (Here’s numbers one and two.)

Congratulations, Trevor, and best wishes in all your future endeavours!