Copy cat. But copy must also copy wisely. The level of one's popularity, the prevailing environment and the nature of the issue at hand, dictates the kind of spin he / she can make. A prominent and well-respected figure (at that time) announced that he was unaware of the state visit by the leader of Israel. Common sense can tell that it was a spin to exonerate himself from the displeasure expressed by others. It was accepted by the people because he was very popular then. Another spin on the number of hours needed to compute the man hours needed to answer certain query was received with more scepticism because his popularity was waning and more importantly, the issue is of greater concern to the people directly.
When a greenhorn with no respect from the people apply the same trick - most probably having acquired the technique from some formal lessons on how to handle difficult questions, it becomes a joke. Ya, it is the lecturer's fault for not highlighting to him that what he can say is dependent on his status i.e. popularity. Best example is that guy from CHC. He can preach what ever incredulous theory that any child knows is false. However, his followers will accept them without a doubt, all because he had already gained their acceptance.
The level of political savviness of all the new chaps are indeed worrying.