Quake anniversary
The thoughts of the whole country are with Christchurch today.
Politics
leadership
Teapot tattle
The Teapot Tapes have leaked on to the internet.
You can torrent it and listen past all of the noise.
Thank you Phil, Annette
Now that Labour’s new leaders are settling in, I think we should all take a moment to thank the outgoing leaders, Phil Goff and Annette King.
The lesson of Lange
David Lange was a good man with a sharp mind, he was quick as a cat thinking on his feet – especially debating – he was an excellent communicator. With only six years’ parliamentary experience before becoming leader of the NZLP he was also the least experienced of all Labour’s twelve leaders to date. David Lange got eaten alive.
2c on the leadership
In the end it comes down to two questions. Are the public looking for a good bloke, or are they looking for a compelling politician? Which of the two can unite, motivate, and lead, the caucus and the wider party?
Grant Robertson announces leadership position
One term Labour MP Grant Robertson has announced he will be standing for the deputy leadership and supporting fellow newbie MP David Shearer […]
Post election commentary
A lot has been written in the aftermath of the election. I want to quickly note two excellent pieces that you might have missed in the rush.
Labour’s decision and Labour’s alone
It worries me that the media and right wing are trying to take control of the Labour Leadership contest. There’s no great hurry with Christmas around the corner (no new leader is going to get a lot of traction over the summer holidays), but the consequences of making a hasty decision will be disasterous for the party, and disasterous for New Zealand.
Two weeks to choose
Have just received an email from Labour’s President Moira Coatsworth. Phil Goff and Annette King to resign Labour’s leadership effective December 13. Moira is urging all Party members to make their views known to their MPs about the new leadership.The caucus will make the decision but members will have their say. Good.
Labour should not rush to judgment
One can understand why John Key is ‘speed dating” to form a one-seat majority in Parliament. His honeymoon is likely to be a lot shorter in the next term of government. It is quite different for Labour. The caucus would be wise not to rush to decide who leads Labour into the next election.
National policy manifesto
Like shit warmed-up
John Key is really showing the strain of campaigning, he’s not bearing up under the stress of it at all well. Clearly the National Show Pony was not built for endurance.
Key’s campaign super weapon
What would he have thought?
John Key: Berlusconi of the south pacific
Key loses plot under election pressure
John Key has a history of choking under pressure but this time, calling on the police to raid the premises of our national broadcasters TVNZ and RNZ, and our major privately owned newspapers – he’s cracked under the pressure of the campaign and the spectre of losing it all. There’ll be no knighthood if Key becomes the first National PM to lose after just one term.
National Election agenda setting fail
This is just from one news outlet. Stuff, the Herald, RNZ, TVNZ – they’re all focussing on what’s making Key looking like a fool. They aren’t interested in hearing what National has to say about anything until they fess up. Nine days from an Election, now that’s a spectacular agenda setting fail. Who’s advising Key’s campaign, Melissa Lee?
Transcript Contest: Johns’ Magical Teapot Tapes
John: “I hear you might be able to get your hands on something to get me through the Election?”
Epsom: spit or swallow?
Oh to be an Epsom voter – what an enviable menu of options you have. A National candidate who cares so much about the electorate that he goes to extraordinary lengths to discourage people from voting for him, or a racist former National politician soundly rejected by all of Auckland after a dismal ‘Supercity’ mayoralty who’s actively campaigning to undermine his own racist former National politician party leader.
What a shonkey farce!
Three lies in one
Wave goodbye to higher taxes. Not your loved ones.
Choose a Brighter Future. Derp de derp.
This is what John Key was promising last election – before he came to power, raised GST, and record numbers of kiwis left New Zealand permanently for a brighter future in Australia.
A cup of tea and a lie down
Two headlines to ponder
IEA: World is hurtling toward irreversible climate change
Government shifts to ETS go-slow
Discuss…
200,000 children abandoned so already rich can get richer
How many children is 200,000 in the context of New Zealand’s population? Statistics New Zealand says between June 2008-2011 around 62-64,000 children were born each year. So 200,000 amounts to every single child born in this country since National came to power three years ago, plus another 10,000 or so.
John Key’s mirror trust
All these things operate underground. There are two near identical pairs. But only one of these things is really not like the other. Let’s not forget John Key’s mirror trust that let’s him keep an eye on the investments that are supposed to be held in a blind trust while he’s PM.
Penguin: Key lies to help us
Yes, that’s an actual quote [sans ‘serfs’] from David Farrar lying about his master John Key’s lies about not raising GST.
hattip: frank macskasy
John Key puts truth on 90 day term deposit
John Key too drunk to drive
Acshully John, you will be a monkey’s uncle
John Key was really revving the crap out of his denimic environment generator today trying to discredit Labour’s costings for its policies. Either Key really is shit at math or he’s no clearer on Labour’s policies than he is on National’s.
hattip: a very prescient Jackal
Drunken Seaman John Key: borrowed $40 billion in 3 years to spend on his mates
A long history of lies
Why all the fuss in the media about Phil Goff calling Key a liar in the TV1 debate? It’s old news. Key has a long history of lying (some of the video footage makes painful viewing).
Battle of the Henrys
Watching Goff and Key last night was a bit like watching Graham Henry arguing with Paul Henry…
Business isn’t buying it
You’d think if the Nats could convince anyone that they knew what they were doing it would be the business community. But no, less than 35% of business owners think that the government has a plan…
Caption Contest
Heart and balls
Labour’s opening address shows that the Party has rediscovered its heart. It’s policies show that its rediscovered its balls as well! Win or lose, right now Labour is a party to be proud of.
Opening addresses for your convenience
In case you missed them last night, here are the National, Labour and Green election opening addresses, collected for your convenience.
Labour Opening Address
Amazing. Brilliant. I’ve seen a lot of political television, and that would have to be the best piece of contemporary political television by a […]