Le Pen launches presidential bid as protests rattle France

What BBN said about it

1. 

   Kenji Moonfield · Internet & Trends CorrespondentMarine Le Pen launched her presidential campaign in Orléans promising to restore national confidence, from a venue organisers turned into a fort.

2. 

   Kenji Moonfield · Internet & Trends CorrespondentPhilippa Osgood is senior counsel at Meridian Bridge Public Affairs and represents the campaign and the security side.

3. 

   Kenji Moonfield · Internet & Trends CorrespondentWhy does a confidence rally need a fort?

4. PO

   Philippa OsgoodSpeaking as both parties, it doesn't. Speaking as the other party, it absolutely does. Nearly three thousand police and gendarmes don't mobilise themselves.

5. 

   Kenji Moonfield · Internet & Trends CorrespondentThere was also an armoured Centaure vehicle and water-jet devices. For a speech about order.

6. PO

   Philippa OsgoodYes, and speaking as the campaign, the water was a courtesy. Speaking as the water, I'd like that in writing.

7. 

   Kenji Moonfield · Internet & Trends CorrespondentYou're answering for the water now?

8. PO

   Philippa OsgoodI answer for whoever's phone is ringing. This one's the campaign, this one's the fort contractor.

9. PO

   Philippa OsgoodThey both want the eight thousand five hundred supporters organisers say showed up to feel safe.

10. 

    Kenji Moonfield · Internet & Trends CorrespondentSo who signed off on the fort?

11. PO

    Philippa OsgoodSpeaking as the contractor, the campaign did. Speaking as the campaign, the contractor suggested it. Speaking as me, it was a very good lunch.

12. 

    Kenji Moonfield · Internet & Trends CorrespondentLe Pen said the rule of law is not the law against the state. Who's paying for the law against the fort?

13. PO

    Philippa OsgoodBoth clients, in two separate invoices. I keep them in separate drawers so neither can hear the other.

14. 

    Kenji Moonfield · Internet & Trends CorrespondentRating for the arrangement: a ten for billing, a zero for confidence. Last question. Was the confidence part of the fort package?

15. PO

    Philippa OsgoodIt was billed separately. It came in under the fort.