And I think that Key at least has a chance of being a forward-looking leader. Brash's problem is that he?

Even in his resignation speech he was?

Presumably one of the Sunday papers will break the injunction and publish summaries of the book's contents

Word on NatRad this morning is that it'll be cleared by, er, lunchtime ...

Craig Y:

http://www.theage.com.au

:)

I mean, did you read what he's planning to do with rashers of bacon?

Wellington weather just sucks.?

Lucky our politics isn't quite as bad as Italy yet, where uomo d?onore means?

Jo can tell us which bars have them too.

That's true, I can. But to stop with the self-promotion and to get back on topic, I'm also wondering why it is that John Campbell has these special powers of injuction-fighting. Can someone explain it?

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/story.cfm?c_id=1&ObjectID=10412275

...does that mean the book will be on sale today? Would love to have some weekend reading.

on another note, why is John Campbell the only interviewer who can admit to reading Hager's book while the injunction remains in force – Russell? I don't get that.

He got a copy, or a manuscript, well before the injunction was granted. No one can own up to having received?

I'm also wondering why it is that John Campbell has these special powers of injuction-fighting

If they got a copy before the injunction would he be able to read it but after the injunction, not be able to talk about it. But then why was only JC given a copy,?

However the conclusion has been reluctantly reached by the plaintiff that in order to be able to procure the book and to respond to its contents, as he is being asked to do by journalists, it would be necessary for the plaintiff to seek to have?

And for interest to be sustained, it all has to be terribly murky...

What fun!

I presume the other staff get to rally around them and chant 'Read! Read!" in the manner of a sculling competition.

But not so speedy that they can't still provide a nice wry turn of phrase:

Students of election spending law, ethics and politics will quickly identify the problems inherent?

John Key is now insisting that while he did receive the 'smoking gun' email he didn't read it. Oh dear.

And I did not inhale/open them.

Given the contacts outlined in those two stories, it's simply staggering that they held to their line for so long. Mind you, 'fessing up would have been pretty tricky too. Electoral Commission, police ...

one of lifes fundamental problems...

whether to keep the news exclusive
and pretend what you're doing is normal,

or....

have faith and expose yourself?

Ewww, it's ugly, put it away John...

He's a trooper ain't he?

An ode to Mr Burns, by Smithers.

"Press Gallery journalists tend to regard themselves as a fairly cynical and skeptical bunch, but I doubt that many considered for a more than a micro-second that the apparent gaff ? a few short days before the election – when?

The Scoop report is being frequently updated. This bit's fascinating:
"Press Gallery journalists tend to regard themselves as a fairly cynical and skeptical bunch, but I doubt that many considered for a more than a micro-second that the apparent gaff ? a few short days before the election – when?

I did not have email with those Brethren. Not one time.

David well done, quite priceless.

or how would the add go.

coffee with exclusive bretheren $3.50
advertsign campaign $1,000,000
fessing up to lies jobless...

"The final chapters of The Hollow Men deals with the funding behind the National Party designed to add millions of dollars to the election campaign without breaching National's $2.24 million legal spending cap.

Hager claims following a meeting?

P.S.
I thought the Brethren didn't use e-mail; at least he doesn't seem to use a cellphone

Look what The Herald has!

Bassett. Ouch.

Hooton. Ouch.

Is this loot supposed to be declared to anyone?

now there's a freaking surprise... reading his columns makes me want to write angry letters.

No luck yet though.

Money can't buy you elections.

Not unless you are in america and they seemed to have given it a bloody decent nudge here. No wonder all right wing think tanks and Hooton were?

Anyone know what's happening? Anyone know where it's on sale?

Surely it's all out now...

What a hypocrite.

If a registered party does not contest the party vote then its total election expenses cannot exceed $20,000 (including GST) for?

yikes – could this be the end of Bassett too? I guess not, afterall, Bill O'Reilly got away with being outed as a Republican.

But if it were, I might actually start reading the Dom again – for years I've been put off by the chance of?

Been trying to find a column by Basset saying what a great speech Orewa 1 was (without disclosing he wrote it)

James, will this do?

I agree with Tony Kennedy – Bill English must be gleefully rubbing his hands together. The National Party sure is a nest of vipers.

I look forward to many Kiwiblog posts explaining in painstaking – yet somewhat opaque – detail why Nationals massive election fraud is totally different from Labours massive election fraud.

Sagenz has also been busy over at Tumeke...

They told me that the book won't be available anywhere until Monday because (quote) "Whitcoulls have asked Craig Potton Publishers not to release the booka anywhere in the country until Monday so?

Perhaps also new legislation to ensure such a thing never happens?

Craig Y.

"Whitcoulls have asked Craig Potton Publishers not to release the booka anywhere in the country until Monday so that no other bookstore gets the book before Whitcoulls"

By monday nobody will need to buy the book!

Stupid, stupid, stupid.

Well I reckon it's only just become funny.

They nearly got away with it too, if it hadn't been for those pesky kids and that scooby, scooby doo

Aagh.. but who played Fred, Velma, Daphne, Shaggy and the Scoobmeister in this version.

This is such fun :-)

Paul: what election fraud? None of these plans were ever implemented as part of the election campaign.

Isn't that rather the point?

The Election advertising rules – summary clearly states that Non-broadcast advertising promoting party vote or attacking party or candidate must be authorised by the Party secretary?

Aagh.. but who played Fred, Velma, Daphne, Shaggy and the Scoobmeister in this version

Helen's definitely Daphne.

She's the hot 1.

Um, yeah... and watch her get tres lemon-lipped?

Can someone please give me National's accountant name, I have an impending GST bill that I can be arsed paying, he seems to have great ideas. Don't pay it?

Bugger me, my grandad didn't pay tax once they tried to throw him in jail.

Next?

I wonder if, after the investigation, you all will still be nominating the Auditor General as man of the year? iirc he has?

this actually keeps Labour in power come 2008.

Who will vote against Labour come 2011 when the All Blacks have just won the world cup in the brand spanking new Waterfront stadium that is the envy of the world.

Is if true National won't be in power till?

With a new Borders opening, I think I've done my last shopping at Whitcoulls.

At least there's the media coverage all weekend, which means there's little incentive to actually buy and read the book for oneself.

So this is probably a conspiracy by Whitcoulls (which rich person owns them??) to stop Hagar making money...

Whoa, probably just smart (ab)use of monopsony power.

They're owned by Pacific Equity Partners, Australian-based. Now, can we find some links to Tasmanian logging interests...

kidding, of course.

Judith Collins as Chickenstein

1/ Don Brash and the National hierarchy knew more about the EBs than they ever let on. Well, who hadn't guessed as much, really. It's good to see it confirmed and all, but ...?

And DC, let us enjoy our fun! The other side have had theirs over the past 12 months. As they say, who laughs last, laughs longest...

This is?

All the same, nothing so far has surprised me much. Most corrupt opposition in history and all that. :)

1/ Don Brash and the National hierarchy knew more about the EBs than they ever let on. Well, who hadn't guessed as much, really. It's good to see it confirmed and all, but ... is anyone actually surprised?

Not really, but it comes in the face of barefaced denials over?

Obligatory strange Scooby fact: The gang is 84% more likely to stumble upon a secret passage than to find it intentionally.

I know this is relevant I just haven't worked out why yet

All the same, nothing so far has surprised me much. Most corrupt opposition in history and all that. :)

LOL!

Conversely environmental issues are suddenly mainstream, and the?

When I look at the beginning of that email image, I see to: Don Brash (Don's email address...) and to: John Key ("John Key"). To me that would either imply that Ron's written to John before (because he's?

It seems that the smoking gun email might have been collected along with one tabled in Parliament in May (along similar lines):

**TREVOR?

I'm waiting for humphries to start questioning the kerning.

As for Michael, "I wrote the speech before I praised it", Basset
Is there even a term for that sort of contemptuous hackery? 'Inverse sock puppetry' perhaps?

Been trying to find a column by Basset saying what a great speech Orewa 1 was (without disclosing he wrote it)

Try this:

The recent floods could have been a path to the high ground for Helen Clark's beleaguered ministry.Instead it responded late because ministers were too preoccupied with U-turning?

Hi everybody. Since you not got book and I have you can ask me questions....

And for starters you get this gem... (page 147)

"You need to know now that the experienced people you have will NOT work in a government run by McCully. I and others will not?

Guess who said that....

Michelle Boag?

Guess who said that..

Someone with good sense? McCully really is a prat. :)

Bill English...

keep up the good work, great day to be a Journo eh?

that email san must be on it's 32,739th trip around the world now, looking to stumble into a secret hiding place along with ...

Keep em coming

Oh, and feel free to continue with the "who said this?" quizzes. That's a good game.

Richard V. Allen
Admiral Thomas Fargo
Jeane J Kirkpatrick
Michael Green
Larry Lindsay
Ricard Armitage
James Kelly
Robert Zoellick

Lets play Again. What do the following people have in common.

I'd say "they're all neocons", but National didn't have anything to do with the neocons. Don Brash, er, said so ...

And traffic is nice and high. 1800 hits on the smoking gun story so far. I suspect that Google News is helping this....

Ok Who said regarding the orewa welfare speech...

"I have added a poossibly outrageous suggestion that we provide free contraception to women between?

Are they all neo-cons writing National Party policy? ;)

Lets play Again. What do the following people have in common.

I'd hazard a guess that all made some minor intervention into NZ politics, while being unable to find NZ on a map, or name its capital.

Since someone is raising collins..

Who said...

"I thought the health presentation at caucus was awful, and I am trold Judith's family presentation was worse. I am not one the caucus complains to, except for?

it's ground to a halt with all the moaning and groaning...

poor folk.

Dave Witherall in his attack on Meridian's central otago wind farm had some choice words about – misguided government allowing foreigners to flood the ghettos of Auckaland. Not even sure how it fitted into the debate, but he snuck it in there.?

Brian Connell...

Actually this is tough cos I struggle to name more than about ten of the Nats caucus.

Maybe Williamson?

On the same speech..

National should find "a few real people" to pop up supporting the speech "when the critics pounce.... I would be grateful if you shifted the text across to a page of your own and "owned" it from this?

Perhaps I could just make a?

Here's a goodie...

"Can we stop Don from giving speeches? Today's speech is about as exciting as watching paint dry. The speech delivery is too long, monotonous, slow paced, and he is having far too many stumbles."

From what I hear all 3000 copies of the book are already pre-sold. So unless you have had a purchase order accepted by a retailer who is expecting some incoming books then you are not getting a copy on monday.

I am thinking of someone outside the strategy team, but with a bit of seniority. Plus I can imagine people prob don't talk to him much.

Now home for a beer,TV3 news, and then whatever the night brings!

"Can we stop Don from giving speeches? Today's speech is about as exciting as watching paint dry. The speech delivery is too long, monotonous, slow paced, and he is having far too many stumbles."

I smell Gerry Brownlee on this one...

Whitcoulls phoned back, and in a slightly agressive conversation (perhaps justifiably), they assured me that Whitcoulls had the books, wanted to sell them, and they were being prevented from doing so the?

And this one....

"The reason I didn't go to the Nats party last night is that I couldn't have coped with socialising with such horrible, unprincipled homophobes. Your caucus?

Since we're allowed to ask you questions: any update on the 'prominent media personality' who allegedly provided media training to Brash??

Not lockwood... and not Gerry....

Bugger — that quote sounded so very Gerry.

Could it be Katherine Rich?

Put us out of our misery, I beg you...

To be honest, I really think some of the stuff I've been reading so far is about as worth 'getting?

Speaking of investigate.. has anyone else seen his latest scoop. Tis a wild wild one......

And while there is some truth to the politics=mendacity meme there are levels of mendacity and there is also getting caught with your pants around your ankles.

Ok... since its friday night....

?

The media personality was Paul Holmes.

The real reason for the gaffes!

Ah, yes, and isn't it funny how the "level" lowers dramatically when it's the people you happen to vote for? Sorry, Alistair, I?

Simon Upton? David Round?

Campbell Live with really strong with the Brash lied angle – no intereviews; just a comparrison of Brash's statements past stastements about his relationship and knowledge of the exclusive brethren, and the contents of?

Really cute – how shall we speculate on the name of the closeted gay Labour MP I has the misfortune to hear make a respulsively homophobic – and grossly defamatory, so I won't quore it thank you very much – slur about out now-National MP Chris Finlayson? I?

All the stuff about hidden agenda was just very spooky.

What a creep.

How bad is that lot if I say Katherine Rich is starting to look like an angel compared to that lot, funny thing?

I wonder if Rev. Brash ever preached on Matthew 7:16, while we're trading Biblical tags : Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thorns, or figs from thistles?

but I have to agree with RNZ political editor Brent Edwards

Is that the same Brent Edwards who, when the whole Brash affair came out went on NatRad and explained how he didn't like doing negative stories about Brash because he's such a nice man?

Let's just say at that?

Last time I looked, we don't have a voluntary, secret ballot iin this country – and may that never change. Don't know about where you live, but here in Aucland less than?

I would say not owning a television qualifies as weird.

Maybe once or twice every couple of years I'll come across somebody who doesn't own one and more often than not they themselves are weird.

How would you vote? Weigh up the negatives, see which party has the?

Regarding supplies of the book...

From what I hear all 3000 copies of the book are already pre-sold. So unless you have had a purchase order accepted by a retailer who is expecting some incoming books then you are not getting a copy on monday.

I just?

Hollow Men In Shops On Monday – Craig Potton Publishing weren't allowed to start physically distributing the book until after the injunction was lifted, and as that was halfway through Friday and the warehouse is in Nelson, rather than?

I must say I'm impressed that you're up late here defending the Nats. The other usual Nat supporters have packed up or stuck to Kiwiblog?

Many people do not vote for reasons of apathy, or not having?

I'll be pleased to see Key as leader but I'm yet to be convinced that there's anything here more than the usual backroom deals that no duobt?

Isn't it interesting that the main defence of National supporters is simply "but Labour are just as bad" – which isn't really a defence. Not much moral high ground left anywhere is there!

"Sometimes our political system sees good people end up doing bad?

NZ Herald – solid coverage today, though Wishart got the front page earlier, and Hager didn't. I couldn't find all the print stories online though.

Dom Post – very full coverage, and Stuff was first off the mark?

Deborah Coddington blames Brash's wife.

heh

...and Deborah Hill Cone calls her courageous?

That's impressive company. Are you sure you want him there?

PLEASE NOTE:
This comment was so good that I've used it to generate a new discussion thread. The original book review has now been migrated to Guest Speaker. Click on the DISCUSS button to view the new thread.

— David Haywood, moderator.

Well, Daryl, I even have my doubts the 'Tory Six' even exist, because muckrakers have never, every told porky pies about their?

Of course, there's one obvious way to put me in my place: Hagar's sources come forward and explain exactly how they obtained these e-mails. If they did so lawfullyand lelgitimately, then surely there is no need to hide their identities?

I guess it's natural for National Party apologists to try?

If I kill somebody but argue that I'm sure other people are killing as well does that mean I should?

One of the reasons I still drag my eyes over the comments soup at KiwiBlog is the chance that I'll stumble over one of your LOL comments.

And thanks for this review too – it's great.

A point of (sort of) contention though: while I agree that a?

And I guess it's natural you'd rather accuse me of arguing in bad faith, than actually engage with what I wrote. Sorry if the truth hurt,?

Weird: "Of a strikingly odd or unusual character; strange".

I would say not owning a television qualifies as weird.

Maybe once or twice every couple of years I'll come across somebody who doesn't own one and more often than not they themselves are weird.

Thanks for the information, Yamis, it's?