Hard News by Russell Brown

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Hard News: Congratulations, Mr Key

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  • simon g,

    Goff has got lucky here. Or rather, he's been rewarded for patience. He couldn't have challenged Clark, or been annointed if she'd won a fourth term. But he can win in 2011.

    Over 45% of voters didn't want what John Key was selling, even before his government had made a single decision or broken a single promise, even when Labour had given a textbook example of How Not to Run a Campaign.

    To win, all Phil Goff needs is to pick up 3-4% of those who voted for the Change, and are wondering what they've got. He could probably do that tomorrow.

    Only the emergence of the Judean Popular Front and People's Front of Judea, aiming for 4.9%, will stop Labour and the Greens getting in next time. The left are often dumb enough to do this, but here's hoping sanity prevails.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 1333 posts Report

  • Jackie Clark,

    Good move on Key's part not to get into bed with ACT.

    Mt Eden, Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 3136 posts Report

  • BenWilson,

    I didn't see the Douglas interview as especially threatening. But he did sound a bit drunk or doddery, not sure which.

    Anyhoo, I doubt ACT will have anywhere near the power they think they will. National don't need them, and I think they might actually really like being popular again.

    Good luck Goff. Pity the entire teaching profession hates him.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 10657 posts Report

  • Sofie Bribiesca,

    I think it was Helen that got served, which may be why many didn't vote. Didn't like Key, didn't like Helen (anymore) and got the impression the smaller parties end up kissin' one or t'others but so why bother. NZrs like good ol' fashioned honesty. Here is Goffs chance, no coalition parties(NZF, Dunne) and as a green/labour united front in opposition, (I think alot of us like that combo anyway) we got a road worth going down.What is there to lose now ?

    here and there. • Since Nov 2007 • 6796 posts Report

  • Jackie Clark,

    Here is Goffs chance, no coalition parties(NZF, Dunne) and as a green/labour united front in opposition, (I think alot of us like that combo anyway) we got a road worth going down.What is there to lose now ?

    Amen, Sofie.

    Mt Eden, Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 3136 posts Report

  • Sofie Bribiesca,

    National don't need them,

    Hide knows that, and he knows anything Key will offer will have to be fine. __He __is Act now, so wouldn't care if Douglas is left languishing up the back, after all isn't that Act policy? The gap filler. :) National didn't want any party. They wanted over 45% vote remember. Could that be an excuse for a referendum on FPP?

    here and there. • Since Nov 2007 • 6796 posts Report

  • Craig Ranapia,

    Just as RB said-

    John Key looked more pleased for himself than anything else on Saturday night

    With all due and sincere respect to Russell, if that night wasn't a time to look like a cat that just found it's own private stash of creamy goodness when was?

    And I'll keep repeating this: Anyone, either on the rabid right or the loony left, who is expecting a transgendered Ruth Richardson are going to be disappointed. I'm certainly both more economically dry and socially libertarian than Key (or Goff, the presumptive leader of the Opposition come to that), but I've got the luxury of holding my views without having to first get an electoral mandate, or translate it into legislation that would win the support of a majority of any legislature on Earth.

    Here is Goffs chance, no coalition parties(NZF, Dunne) and as a green/labour united front in opposition, (I think alot of us like that combo anyway) we got a road worth going down.What is there to lose now ?

    Well, whoever ends up in the Labour leadership is going to have to think through a pretty tricky balancing act. As I've elsewhere, I don't think the next Parliament is going to turn into a perpetual orgy of group hugs and community sings. But I think it would be bad politics -- and bad for the country -- if Labour thinks all they have to do is all Labour has to do is sit back, watch the economy turn into a giant pile of canine faeces, and they're in laughing after one term. Just because this election wasn't a 1990-style massacre (or saw Labour beat the historically low share of the popular vote it received in 1996), doesn't mean there's some serious strategic rethinking to do.

    North Shore, Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 12370 posts Report

  • Russell Brown,

    Much as I like Chris Finlayson, I must admit that I've not watched him that closely. Could be taken entirely the wrong way. :)

    I can see how he'd appeal to the bookish type ... and there can't be that many conservative, gay, Catholic, Treaty lawyer aesthetes out there. Could be a catch!

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report

  • Sofie Bribiesca,

    60 Minutes.... Australians are moving here! Shit are the TV channels working for National?

    here and there. • Since Nov 2007 • 6796 posts Report

  • Ian MacKay,

    Craig:Do you think that Nats would rush forward and offer a helping hand if it was Labour who had to face the economic onslaught?

    Bleheim • Since Nov 2006 • 498 posts Report

  • Sofie Bribiesca,

    Of the few times I watched Finlayson on telly (chemo has many benefits ;)) I got the impression he knew what the law was so maybe not such a good catch, mind you, as long as it doesn't frighten the ponies....

    here and there. • Since Nov 2007 • 6796 posts Report

  • simon g,

    If Labour want to be really devious, they could support National more.

    Direct 40% of the Super Fund? Control Pharmac? Keynesian spend-up? Extend Working for Families?

    "Sure, John, we'd love to help you get those through. You don't need ACT, we'll give you the numbers. What's more, we promise to keep all this when we get back in. Thanks!"

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 1333 posts Report

  • Sofie Bribiesca,

    Ian, they would say " told you so, we predicted doom and gloom for the last 3 years ,and it all your fault" :)

    here and there. • Since Nov 2007 • 6796 posts Report

  • Michael Savidge,

    I feel like this in regard to theirs...


    http://andrewsullivan.theatlantic.com/the_daily_dish/2008/11/now-we-get-our.html

    Ours, not so much.

    I'm going to be forced to pay close attention when all I want is to create my life knowing my representatives are informed, compassionate and far-sighted.

    And perhaps, just this once, you could allow me my melodrama Mr Ranapia.

    Kinda sucks that I have to ask.

    Somewhere near Wellington… • Since Nov 2006 • 324 posts Report

  • Che Tibby,

    heh. i'm actually going to say told you so on this one.

    -> ACT only to provide confidence and supply.

    the back of an envelope • Since Nov 2006 • 2042 posts Report

  • Michael Savidge,

    </pissy whining>

    Somewhere near Wellington… • Since Nov 2006 • 324 posts Report

  • Che Tibby,

    </che then reads back four pages and sees this is old news>

    i knew i should be spending *more* time on system...

    the back of an envelope • Since Nov 2006 • 2042 posts Report

  • simon g,

    Russell, PA needs longer pages!

    Che reports the news, previously reported by Russell a few pages back, previously reported by me a few pages before that ...

    Still, threads are for joining, not reading.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 1333 posts Report

  • giovanni tiso,

    Kinda sucks that I have to ask.

    Word. The day after Obama won, one had to ask for permission to be elated. Now one has to ask for permission to be pissy. It must be an Internet thing, you've got to move on lightning quick so that prickery can fill the void.

    Wellington • Since Jun 2007 • 7473 posts Report

  • Sofie Bribiesca,

    Kinda sucks that I have to ask.

    I think so too so..... don't ask. I am sure Craig would agree, (he should have his mojo on by now, surely?)

    here and there. • Since Nov 2007 • 6796 posts Report

  • Michael Savidge,

    Still, threads are for joining, not reading.

    Bite thy tongue.

    PA threads contain within their humble origins a quality liberal arts education, scything humour, outrageous analysis, nuanced opinion and all kinds of valuable cultural capital.

    And it's free.

    Ta much all.

    Somewhere near Wellington… • Since Nov 2006 • 324 posts Report

  • simon g,

    That's all very true, but are ACT going to support the government on confidence and supply?

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 1333 posts Report

  • Michael Savidge,

    he should have his mojo on by now, surely?

    You ever given up smoking? Hang in there fella.

    Somewhere near Wellington… • Since Nov 2006 • 324 posts Report

  • Che Tibby,

    Che reports the news, previously reported by Russell a few pages back

    mind you... i did call it on saturday night.

    :))

    the back of an envelope • Since Nov 2006 • 2042 posts Report

  • Islander,

    Hmm- prickery. Roflnui/lolnui. Hey lexicographers, swarm in! Fresh meat!
    And Sofie, without any need of a reply, in a supportive fashion, do trust everything is going well-

    Big O, Mahitahi, Te Wahi … • Since Feb 2007 • 5643 posts Report

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