The Herald's oft-sympathetic John Armstrong rounds on our glorious leader.

Has John Key completely lost the plot? The Prime Minister's statement yesterday that National's success in cutting the crime rate?

I think it?s worth a crack?

Later, http://www.laws179.co.nz/2011/11/reading-tea-leaves-declaratory-judgment.html
This seems reasonable.
"The uncertainty about legality is, I think, inhibiting political and electoral discourse. "

And if the phrase "unbridled power"?

True – but I'd respectfully suggest it also suggests there's a lot of over-confidence flowing in the other direction too. (Of course, no matter what the poor bastard – or bitch, let's not be sexist! – who?

Unless you're National's comms team, facing little challenge.

Brownlee is perhaps a closer resemblance politically.

Initially a question along the lines of do you think ?things are going well at the moment??

?If the election was held now who would your party vote be for??

Followed by: ?any chance you will change your mind before?

This is really crucial. It?s especially interesting in the context of the ?Spiral of Silence? phenomenon Chris Trotter made reference to the?

They don't, and shouldn't, talk about their clients, but they did do some work Family First.

It does appear to?

The truth is whether we think politics should revolve around policy or personality, it is a gladiator sport for spectators. The last month is a battle for the public attention that provides opportunities for gaffes and also for?

God I wish we had a Jon Stewart, or even a MacPhail and Gadsby, to rip this situation a new one in satire. It's pretty much writing itself.

Yes. I feel very told-off :-)

Thanks, Lew. I disengaged with you on this on Twitter because (quote) "I don't want to say something I can't walk back". Goes double here.

But?

Perhaps a lot of people don't give a shit. Maybe it's turning into a "pox on both your houses" issue which will simply depress voter engagement with politics. I'm not?

It just got Boingboinged, via Juha Saarinen :)

Wonder if John Clarke could be tempted back for a wee spot of satire. He is the weekly highlight of Australian politics.

I'm not sure whether it's fair to equate the population at large with the denizens of?

I'm not sure if 'idle' is the word you're looking for . . .

Good call. Mercep is a competent enough presenter, but an mediocre interviewer.

Any candidate who goes into the?

Wasn't the point more that if one is (possibly) too close?

I've no real idea if the teapot tapes issue is touching a nerve with 'ordinary New?

Opinionated grumpy righties are more numerous than opinionated lefties. This doesn't necessarily equate to the opinions of the wider population.

You mean the one who ?creates his own reality??

I have thought for a long time the influence of the ideological and campaigning links developed between the US Republican Party and National/ACT during their long wilderness in opposition?

Two current Members of Parliament came there after being commercial radio station owners. One is?

Quite simple, really ? they don?t. But blow up stories of Bludgers Bashing Babies and Layabouts Looting Living Rooms, and presto ? instant wedge politics in a can.?

Unless you happen to be Winston Peters, in which case you look strong and?

Dinah the media have always been his poodle ( with some exceptions) he whistles and they came running up like puppy dogs eager for some action.

There was a popular NZ forum I used to hang around on for a period of a few years which happened?

That seems to be the message of this election entirely. For all the sound and fury, for all the photo opportunities, the polls* seem to show that people made up their minds 6 months ago or more.

It doesn't?

The answer lies in that which regularly destroys economic prosperity in the west; people want reduced taxes but enhanced services, and they don't see the oxymoronic connection. Selling?

????

Western Europe is a high tax high service structure as is Scandinavia.

First, I guess we should wait a while until the only poll that really matters (tm) is signed, sealed and delivered. :) Otherwise, I don't know how?

People may not change to a different party but if they have a sour taste in their mouth about their pick on election?

What you mean we haven't created a Galactic?

http://www.nbr.co.nz/article/nz-first-crosses-mmp-threshold-ck-104662

I wonder if that story has been waiting in the wings "just in case".

Isn't that pretty much what this government has already done to Christchurch/Canterbury – and got away with? Do we really want to?

Oh, I don?t so why should you? :) But I also don?t find particularly satisfying cursing the outcome of a free, fair and credible election when the outcome isn?t to your?

You know, and forgive me for being callous, but the absolute locus of this stuff would be the West Coast, and especially people like miners.

Then of course, it comes out that unsafe behaviour became routine, possibly because?

http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/greenslade/2011/nov/14/newzealand-phone-hacking

lol ;)

Me, I think the job of the opposition is to oppose, and that starts the day after the election.

I recall there being plenty?

It?s the whole cloak of anonymity thing ? trolls can get away with saying nasty stuff on the Web?

Now we have The International Federation of Journalists condemning the Police.

Their question with regard to meeting at the cafe was:

__'Do you agree or disagree that the cameraman should have left his digital recorder on the table?'__?

I'm learning to manage it.

And that's how I flick off pollsters when I'm feeling like being polite. "OK, if you can't tell me who your client is that's fine. I like to know who I'm giving personal information to. Have a?

Wasn't anyone who opposed TINA in the 90s (especially on student radio!!) a complete (insert term of presumed abuse here)?

anyway it was a relief to find some news that seemed to say things a tad?

I don?t think that many would say it?s a legal no-brainer. Most reasonable people,?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h2qSvqrCNEk

"The sky doesn't matter. It's the issues"

I'm sure there folks in Labour who'd rather he didn't without being fully briefed. And, yes, I don't disagree with your larger point that you expect politicians to *cough* present data in its most favourable light, but it would be endearing if the media?

I'm concerned aboot NACT! That simple at this point. :)

A stern, well-referenced editorial:

There is no question that, as framed so far, the police inquiry is a fishing expedition to establish if there is anything that might help them understand just what the Prime Minister alleges was breaking the law. Such fishing expeditions are regularly decried?

I'm actually wondering how many weeks in a row he'll be allowed to use his paid Herald?

Yes, it ruined my coffee. I even took to commenting when the plug for his book made me want to bring up said coffee. Sanctimonious or what?

Oh! snap RB

There's a lot of it about. Seems to be very prevalent amongst celebrity columnists and National campaign managers

Completely brilliant – I've never heard that version before. Thanks for sharing! Still giggling at it.

Indeed. It goes to show how far said 'celebrities' will go to maintain the façade. And just like a vampire, they'll behave very strangely when forcibly exposed to sunlight.

It looked even more fatuous (yes, that is possible kids) after reading a useful piece by Mai Chen.which was short on posturing and long on useful?

Prediction: He?ll write another mess next week.

I take it that you mean that sparkling isn't involved? Are you sure? As they say, you can't polish a turd, but you can roll it in glitter.

I'm not sure "useful" means what you think it does. :)

I can?t get the darn thing to play all the way though ? can anyone tell me what she says?

And does so by drawing a conclusion ("Logically, it can only have been the tea tapes") then making a shit load of assumptions that?

Hooton is the punditry version of push-polling, if you ask me. He pretends commentary, but really he's all about selling the talking points; in this case that teapot-tape-gate was a stroke of genius, not a blunder.

And if you can get enough people?

Hear that merry clatter? It's the sound of a couple of crushed up paracetamol tablets being stirred into a freshly made short black. It's all I've got right now.

Is that question directed at me?

and that it was Key's master-stroke, not Joyce's

Who is advising the PM on this Mexican stand-off with the media?

A source familiar with the Government communications strategy said the PM's attack on the Herald on Sunday and refusal to explain his comments to John Banks was a strategic decision, rather than a?

does that actually work?
#notametaphor

Couldn't agree more. Had a rant about it on another thread.

Leaving aside questions about the veracity of these figures (they could be utterly fabricated and we?d be none the wiser; Bomber reckons they?re bollocks), this actually is a case of a politician deploying polling data to send a message, not?

or desperately trying to whistle to them

I await the polls with interest, but even so, polls are predicated on the assumption that people will rationally express their overriding judgements. I don?t just mean that the ?proles? are fools, since I?m sceptical of reason and consciousness in?

This is what balls sound like. Heard anything remotely similar in NZ politics any time lately?

You are responsible for it because this?

Naturally obsequious though? Oh yes.

It works for me, but that may be my old friend the placebo effect. :)

And you quoted this from Lew (who I have a lot of time for) which still annoys me ? because there?s real insight mixed in with a load of foofy-tosh.?

But Radio NZ has been counting the number of times he has turned down interview requests on Morning Report. And its website reveals that National declined to answer any of the 100-plus written questions...

I don?t lament the lack of policy-focused coverage in the media too loudly because?

I recall saying here some days ago when this thing first blew up that starving campaign oxygen was not in Labour's favour.

Hooten on the other hand..

A fresh poll supports Key's decision to refuse permission to publish, with 44 per cent of people backing his stance. Thirty-three per cent of the 1200 people polled thought he should grant publication.

National Party insider?

This column is strategic advice for centre-left voters only.

Right wing readers should obey John Key's edict on private political conversations. So please turn the page.

and ends thus:

Thankfully, the other side won't know?

56% good grief. Everyone who's ever reached such lofty heights as deputy assistant treasurer of the Taumaranui branch of the National Party will become an MP.

This is called the "Gilbert Myles" syndrome for those who remember 1990-

It's in their interests to stay silent. And no one is making them do otherwise.

PAUL Anyway, the week just gone ? good week?

JOHN Oh, look, it?s another week, anyway. Let?s put it in those terms. Election campaigns are always a bit quirky, but the one thing?

Dialled back from the earlier emphatic pronouncements.

Turns?

The one where he told listeners to shoot journalists? I think the Crimes Act, Sections 306 & 307 come to mind. That man is well an truly an unhinged Glenn Beck type.

It's a Hooton Nanny party.

Here's hoping the vile little prick is hot on Mr Henry's heels to Australia soon. Must still need some shoeshine boys in Kalgoorlie..

interesting to hear TV3 saying Radio Live
bosses wouldn't talk to them...
but...

I could say something, but I'd probably regret it.

Next you'll be telling me you're brown or something.

whereas Key is an uneducated compassionless predator-

he sure as shit doesnt have ANZ's interests at heart,

Fuck off to Hawai'i John Key – hope the natives eat?

Yes. In the last few days as I've watched the dummy-spit, I've become more and more convinced that he's interested in doing the job well, and proving that he can be a?

I also thought it?

Key as he has for the past 3 years fronting for the tough interviews. More kids t-shirts to sign, then off for a round of mini golf probably. Working all hours of the day.

@RB Snap I'm a day late, you've already got there.

Paul Holmes, the man entrusted?

So I can only re-link to this
May have to get this printed off and put on my wall. The distracting colours will keep?

This leaves the morning show for topical events like the Prime Minister running away from questioning, and saying his principled stand against airing accidentally taped conversations is not?

[[http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/crime/6002192/Thief-to-hand-herself-in-after-police-fail-to-act|Thief to hand herself in after police fail?

It's not necessary to do that. It would be unprofessional and ungracious.

All it needs is for a a reporter to ask a question of the order of "Prime Minister, would you say the?

If he means, he?s got a pretty good understanding of those laws, I think the rest of the interview demonstrates that he?s wrong.

It was worse than that, really, because?

Infinitely more stable than New Zealand First. Sorry, needs to be said even if it's not a terribly high bar to clear.

How the media could deal with lies might even?

Both parties have struggled for continuity. NZ First has actually only been in government once, and Peters did end that relationship after National replaced Bolger with Shipley in the midst of a term. Act hasn't done that.

But?

Government's only have to resign if they are defeated on a confidence/supply issue. If Key can't pass the Murray McCully Enabling Act (version 2) then he won't have to call an election – doing so would be a political decision.

20 mins, listening options.

Certainly sounded less agitated. And finally knew the figure he's been asked about 3 times in 3 days. You'd think his campaign team might have made sure he was prepared after the first time. Or after that dreadful performance in?

Quite ? and really if I was forced to choose who to ask to hold a pinless hand grenade, I?d pick Turei and Norman in a heart murmur. Peters and Harawira would throw it in a?

Yeah, well... there's a lot of it about.

Key: "in terms of the wage gap, that's narrowed". "We look at after tax terms, and in the three years we've been in Government we've grown those (after tax) wages by 10% (while in) Australia it's 6%."

Yeah it is. The celebrities get paid more.

Just like UF = Peter Dunne and Progressives = Jim

In the latter case, the party has disappeared with its leader (they aren't contesting this election, though they do have a ghostly website). I fully expect that when Peters and Dunne give it up[, their party?

'Accentuate the positive'

It seemed apt. If not ACT.

Brash is experiencing a dipolar moment:
a loss of magnetism and a dip/flip in the polls
he is facing resistance and is phasing out...
(possibly due to personal/physical thickness)

Ha ha. Yeah, you can't help feeling a little sorry for Don, in that he's a bit like Lord Grantham in Downton?

you mean, will he wait that long?
if either of them still have a political career after the weekend

There was a table set out under a tree in front of the house, and the March Currency Trader and the Bankster were having tea at it: a Donmouse was sitting between them, fast asleep, and?