Gillard advisor defends Sandilands

Julia Gillards Chief Media Advisor, John McTernan (left), has attacked News Limited and defended Kyle Sandilands today, saying that Sandilands 'touches the hearts of millions'.

In what appears to be a strategic move to ensure Sandilands is supportive of Prime Minister Gillard during the upcoming election campaign, McTernan has sent an email defending the 2Day Breakfast host to News.

McTernan wrote;

''It appears it falls to me to point out some basic rules of comms to you. 'I have no idea why you – and it appears your paper – have a vendetta against Kyle. He is a popular and talented broadcaster and is listened to by more than a million people every morning"

''His work with charity is well known but it apparently disturbs you that the Prime Minister hosted Kyle and Jackie O and kids from Bear Cottage at Kirribilli House. Well I will never apologise for arranging that"

''Perhaps one day you will know what it is like to entertain and touch the hearts of millions of people like Kyle and Jackie O do every day. And perhaps then you will reflect on the darts of the pygmies who sneer at success.''

Aside the fact that McTernan isn't great at analysing radio ratings; Kyle & Jackie whilst enormously successful, have nowhere near a million listeners per morning; the attack appears designed to court the 2Day FM Breakfast shows support in the key Sydney market for the next four months leading to the election.

You can read the full article with News Limited here.

Picture above from The Australian, and below from the Daily Telegraph.