Greens, Labour, NZH Hot Seat: coalitions
In the NZ Herald panel interviews, Green & Labour Party leaders come across extremely well. The leaders are confident, considered and ready to govern.
English to lead the National Party?
Bill English was the first senior Nat to distance himself from Key’s dirty politics. Now, according to one of our commenters (Tracey) who was called, the Nats’ polling company is sounding out English as a possible party leader.
John Key’s Groundhog day II
A 2011 press conference video has cast further doubt on John Key’s claim that he did not know about the release of sensitive information to Cameron Slater.
Updated: The recollection of Tucker doesn’t match what John Key said in 2011. What spaghetti explanation will Johnnie give today.
NRT: Why foreigners are buying up New Zealand
“Why would an overseas buyer pay more for an asset than a New Zealander? … But Chalkie reckons one reason stands out – tax. There are huge tax advantages available to overseas investors that simply cannot be accessed by locals.”
Dirty politics – the South is revolted
Plenty of editorial comment is decrying Key’s dirty politics. Two pieces from the Deep South yesterday were particularly forthright. Can Key walk on sewerage?
Open mike 22/08/2014
Open mike is your post. For announcements, general discussion, whatever you choose. The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the Policy). Step up to the mike …
National’s opening tv ad
Some improved versions of National’s opening commercial [update: pic added]
“Having a Whale of a time”
In July 2011, John Key was on holiday in Maui “having a whale of a time” – and also on Q+A in New Zealand letting the world know that Phil Goff was briefed by Tucker. So they do have the telephone in Hawaii.
John Key – The End Game
It is one of the wonders of the modern world that the democracy that past generations fought and died for is regarded as […]
Key lied – The smoking gun?
[Updated] John Key 8th August 2011: “”What happened is Warren Tucker didn’t come to me, he went to his legal adviser and his legal advisers told him this is the process they have to follow and when he was going through that process it was at that point he told me he’d release it because he has to tell me that under the no-surprises doctrine.”
Shrinking violet
John Key’s told media they don’t need to talk to him about Judith Collins and her Cameron Slater choices, they should talk to her as she’s no shrinking violet…
But Radio NZ, The Herald, TV3 and I imagine all other media have been trying to contact her for days.
Policy Free Zone?
Cut Your Hair has some great analysis of who is the “policy free zone” that Key is claiming the left is…
Another catchy tune
Another music vid that John Key and the Electoral Commission won’t like…
John Key’s groundhog day
Poor John Key must think he is in the movie Groundhog Day. The media clearly do not accept his explanation for Dirty Politics. And each day further information comes out which casts more and more doubt on the veracity of what he has been saying.
‘God must be a member of the National Party’
Just Wow. Morning Report failed to get hold of Bob Harvey to offer balance on their coverage of National/Labour’s opening ads this morning, […]
Polity: Proof
Here’s a tweet from Felix Marwick this morning that blows a big hole in John Key’s denials about not knowing about the strangely rapid OIS releases from the SIS to Cameron Slater. What is the bet that he is going to argue that he had a sloppy memory lapse – just like the one that he keeps accusing Phil Goff about? Updated: Phil Goff’s response.
Open mike 21/08/2014
Open mike is your post. For announcements, general discussion, whatever you choose. The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the Policy). Step up to the mike …
Taxenophobia
Chalkie has a fascinating article in today’s DomPost on why foreigners are so keen to buy New Zealand assets – tax. He discusses Wellington Electricity Network and Lochinver to make the point that “the real appeal of investing in New Zealand is how easily foreign companies manage to avoid paying tax” – anywhere. Labour’s tax avoidance clampdown will benefit Kiwis much more than National’s soundbite approach to policy exemplified in Joyce’s bullying.
Labour’s campaign video
Labour has launched its campaign video.
Working with senior nats for release
I trust that the media will be interested to know which senior Nats Slater was working with on the release of data hacked from Labour servers.
Mr Clean talks Dirty Politics: Key standup transcript pt2
In this part of the transcript of John Key’s Aug 14 standup, Key repeats dubious spin lines, & tries to maintain his Mr Clean image. Topics include Jason Ede, Judith Collins, Bronwyn Pullar. Key tries to implicate left wing blogs, naming The Standard
National’s campaign video and Eminem
In 2008 National breached copyright by using a song suspiciously like Coldplay’s Clocks. The DVD had to be withdrawn. It may not have learned as its latest campaign video has music that sounds suspiciously like an Eminem song. Has it learned and does it have permission?
Polity: Through the looking glass
John Key has been running a pretty simple diversion strategy over the past week asserting that Labour knew about Hager’s book (they didn’t), that they aren’t interested in policy (our mailbox is full of their policies), and that the public will ignore the book (our stats are skyhigh). He is a loser. Rob Salmond puts his view.
Dirty Politics roundup
Pot pourri, grab bag… Nicky Hager’s sister’s response, Media Take, John Key’s wanting to talk about policy, political passion, at the end of the day…
The real John Key?
Swearing is not often a major factor in the political debate. Yet John Key’s alleged use of the “f-word” seems to have assumed considerable significance in the run-up to election day in the light of the Slater debarcle. National has a lot invested in John Key’s nice guy facade.
Brand Key
Tom Scott says it all. And the DomPost reports that National hopes to get their campaign back on track by showing an eight rowing together. That’ll work.
Dirty politics vs accountability – you can’t be smeared with the truth
Accountability is not dirty politics. You can’t be smeared with the truth. John Key’s lines are as worthless as his promises of ministerial accountability.
NRT: Politics does not have to be dirty
Writing in The Press yesterday morning, Chris Trotter argues that politics is essentially dirty. No Right Turn rejects that. So do the authors on this site. None of us do this kind of crap. Nor do most people in the political arena. Why taint us with the brush of John Key’s blackops team.
Open mike 20/08/2014
Open mike is your post. For announcements, general discussion, whatever you choose. The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the Policy). Step up to the mike …
ImperatorFish: Dirty Politics book raises suspicions of broader hacking agenda
Scott investigates a crime wave that may or may not have any connection with Nicky Hager.
Gutless!
Key’s giving Collins a “last last” chance! After she’s outed an innocent public servant to an amoral blogger! Duncan Garner said it six months ago about Oravida: “John Key won’t like this, but by Helen Clark’s standards he looks weak.” That’s too generous – by anybody’s standards he looks weak, as well as unprincipled. He’s no leader. Update: Email here – name, job title and phone numbers including mobile
“Mr Slater’s made it quite clear”: Key standup transcript pt1
How slippery is John Key? Part one of transcript of Key’s press standup last Thursday. On accessing Labour’s website private details, OIAs to the SIS, Dirty Politics, Nicky Hager and Mr Slater. [Updated]
Valuing child care: beyond ‘show me the money!’
Simon Collins has published a very good article comparing various parties policies on social security. As is the current trend, he doesn’t fully examine the deep and lasting contribution good child care & education make towards society & the economy. It’s about material and social well-being.
No Changes for Kiwiblog
David “Princess Parties” Farrar at Kiwiblog is trying to wash off some of the stench of Dirty Politics. Turns out it’s after the election (of course) – and so heavily qualified as to be meaningless. Expect business as usual at the sewer.
Judith Collins must go
Five months ago John Key gave Judith Collins a final warning regarding her Ministerial Career after misleading him and the media about Oravida. Following the release of Nicky Hager’s book Dirty Politics and the allegations, backed up by emails, that Hager has made against Collins her last chance must have now been used up.
Aaron Bhatnagar – I barely know the guy
BLip has a look at Aaron Bhatnagar and his role in the disgusting events documented in “Dirty Tricks”. In particular the way that Judith Collins seems to have rewarded her crony Cameron Slater’s mate on the taxpayers purse.