Hard News by Russell Brown

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Hard News: Meanwhile in Epsom ...

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  • Rich of Observationz,

    However, I suspect they are all characters who are not seen as serious contenders by the real politicians of the National party. I suspect selection might come down to which candidate (or candidates father) makes the biggest contribution to National coffers.

    I'm surprised Slater isn't running.

    Back in Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 5550 posts Report Reply

  • Lew Stoddart,

    As well as authoring Brash’s biography (which I haven’t read), Paul Goldsmith is also the author of the more fawning of John Banks’ two biographies. Both are imaginatively titled “<Name>: A Biography”.

    So that’ll be interesting.

    L

    Wellington, NZ • Since Aug 2010 • 109 posts Report Reply

  • Craig Ranapia, in reply to Rich of Observationz,

    I suspect selection might come down to which candidate (or candidates father) makes the biggest contribution to National coffers.

    Having been involved in more National Party candidate selections than you, Rich, I suspect you should leave the fantasy fiction to people who are good at it.

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

  • Che Tibby,

    genuine wtf moment: there are two banks biographies?

    when did he become that interesting?

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

  • Lew Stoddart, in reply to Che Tibby,

    Che, Banksie is incredibly interesting; one of the most interesting pollies in modern NZ history. Son of sly-grogging backroom-abortionists, a genuinely self-made man of strong moral convictions and remarkable character. Also bigoted, racist and intolerant but hey – you don’t have to be nice to be interesting.

    L

    Wellington, NZ • Since Aug 2010 • 109 posts Report Reply

  • Rich of Observationz, in reply to Craig Ranapia,

    So Craig, you mean they are actually selecting these jokers on their *merits*. That's even more frightening.

    Back in Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 5550 posts Report Reply

  • Lew Stoddart, in reply to Lew Stoddart,

    Sorry, I should clarify – both biographies written by Paul Goldsmith are imaginatively titled “<Name>: A Biography”, not both bios of John Banks. The more critical bio of Banksie is by Noel Harrison, “Banks: Behind the Mask”.

    L

    Wellington, NZ • Since Aug 2010 • 109 posts Report Reply

  • Sacha, in reply to Che Tibby,

    when did he become that interesting?

    it's those 4.20am starts. A hemisphere out of touch, but hey.

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report Reply

  • Sacha, in reply to Lew Stoddart,

    titled “<Name>: A Biography”

    a prerequisite of vanity publishing

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report Reply

  • Russell Brown, in reply to Craig Ranapia,

    Having been involved in more National Party candidate selections than you, Rich, I suspect you should leave the fantasy fiction to people who are good at it.

    Agreed. My impression is that all the candidates very much want to win the nomination, and are battling hard to do so.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report Reply

  • Russell Brown, in reply to Lew Stoddart,

    Che, Banksie is incredibly interesting; one of the most interesting pollies in modern NZ history.

    Yes.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report Reply

  • Jeremy Eade,

    Agreed. My impression is that all the candidates very much want to win the nomination, and are battling hard to do so.

    If they win Epsom it will mean they will lose a coalition partner and possibly power. Oh Epsom, what a clusterfuck you are.

    auckland • Since Mar 2008 • 1112 posts Report Reply

  • Whoops,

    ...and what an awesome coalition partner ACT would make this time around. Mr Burns, Mr Dairy, Mr Ego, and sundry nutters.

    here • Since Apr 2007 • 105 posts Report Reply

  • Tom Semmens,

    Richard Simpson is the best of the candidates. However, his inconvenient habit of occasionally being swayed by facts will mean he'll last precisely one term as a National Party MP.

    Sevilla, Espana • Since Nov 2006 • 2217 posts Report Reply

  • Rich of Observationz,

    a prerequisite of vanity publishing

    I'm amazed at the low hurdle of notability needed for an NZ politician to get a published biography. I do wonder whether our paying almost double the overseas price for books is helping to subsidise this...

    Also, the credibility of National's Epsom candidate will be borne out by their list ranking, or lack of, I suspect. We shall see.

    Back in Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 5550 posts Report Reply

  • Andre Alessi, in reply to Lew Stoddart,

    The more critical bio of Banksie is by Noel Harrison, “Banks: Behind the Mask”.

    So John Banks is Batman now? Well, he certainly comes across as someone written by Frank Miller...

    Devonport, New Zealand • Since Nov 2006 • 864 posts Report Reply

  • Che Tibby, in reply to Russell Brown,

    Yes

    :0

    surely you mean "colourful"?

    not in a "maori way" of course

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

  • Craig Ranapia, in reply to Rich of Observationz,

    So Craig, you mean they are actually selecting these jokers on their *merits*. That’s even more frightening.

    I suspect we could run up a thoroughly non-partisan “dudes and dudettes, WTF were you thinking?” list of candidates and MPs who were hardly glittering jewels in the crown of parliamentary democracy. (I think it’s also a pretty safe bet that the National candidate would never win an Epsom straw poll of Public Address readers.) 20/20 hindsight is also a wonderful thing. In 1990, Taito Philip Field looked pretty damn meritorious on paper when he won the selection for Otara. How did that work out in the end?

    Democrazy’s a bitch, but she’s our bitch. The idea that all you need to get a National nomination is a well-connected daddy and a fat chequebook is as silly as the meme that you can’t get arrested in the Labour Party unless you’re a Maori lesbian union official who gaggles with the gays.

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

  • Craig Ranapia, in reply to Jeremy Eade,

    If they win Epsom it will mean they will lose a coalition partner and possibly power. Oh Epsom, what a clusterfuck you are.

    I'd question whether any power dependent on the slow-motion mass-suicide that is the ACT Party is worth having.

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

  • Sacha, in reply to Craig Ranapia,

    you can't get arrested in the Labour Party unless you're a Maori lesbian union official who gaggles with the gays.

    or an aspie
    (too soon?)

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report Reply

  • Jeremy Eade,

    I'd question whether any power dependent on the slow-motion mass-suicide that is the ACT Party is worth having.

    Sure but this truth hasn't stopped Epsom voters before. The Crazy gang just seems to roll on , let's hope not for too long.

    auckland • Since Mar 2008 • 1112 posts Report Reply

  • Whoops, in reply to Craig Ranapia,

    here • Since Apr 2007 • 105 posts Report Reply

  • Andre Alessi, in reply to Jeremy Eade,

    Sure but this truth hasn't stopped Epsom voters before. The Crazy gang just seems to roll on , let's hope not for too long.

    "Sure he's a crazy racist and not terribly smart besides, but at least he doesn't want to raise taxes!"

    Devonport, New Zealand • Since Nov 2006 • 864 posts Report Reply

  • Kumara Republic, in reply to Tom Semmens,

    Richard Simpson is the best of the candidates. However, his inconvenient habit of occasionally being swayed by facts will mean he'll last precisely one term as a National Party MP.

    Most certainly a worthy successor to Christine Fletcher. But does he have the backing of the wider party though?

    The southernmost capital … • Since Nov 2006 • 5446 posts Report Reply

  • Craig Ranapia, in reply to Sacha,

    (too soon?)

    Slightly. :)

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

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