Hard News by Russell Brown

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Hard News: The perils of political confidence

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  • Sacha, in reply to Craig Ranapia,

    throw a used car dealer into the mix #popularitycontest

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report Reply

  • Chris Waugh, in reply to Steve Barnes,

    Yeah, whatever John, run along now.

    I wish he would.

    It's been bugging me for a while now, and I just can't for the life of me figure out why John Key is so popular. My mum was here for a month, and so every day we'd watch 3 news (it's the only one that streams fast and reliably enough on my connection to bother with), so I've seen a bit more of Key recently than I otherwise would. I asked my mum why he's so popular, and she said it's cos he's like the guy next door, but the more I see of him the more he strikes me as a psychopath (in the technical sense), and I sure as hell wouldn't want to live next door to a psychopath (in either the technical or the slang sense). So I'm still mystified.

    Wellington • Since Jan 2007 • 2401 posts Report Reply

  • Craig Ranapia, in reply to Sacha,

    Well, if Gigolo Winston manages to work his rancid charms on enough Grey Power meetings, we get former North Shore Mayor Andrew 'Piddles The Clown' Williams (#3 on the party list). I'm sure that glittering jewel in the crown of local government will continue to show his appetite for hard work, firm grasp of complex issues (when he bothers showing up), and forming constructive relationships across party lines in Parliament. Also hope he'll continue his hands on interest in forestry issues.

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

  • Sacha, in reply to Craig Ranapia,

    that tea-drinking Key has done Winnie the biggest favour

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report Reply

  • HenryB, in reply to Chris Waugh,

    I just can’t for the life of me figure out why John Key is so popular.

    Steven put a big finger on it earlier:

    Key’s popularity has partly been based on his appearance of being above politics, an affable, likeable chap, not a politician really.

    And that is why the kerfuffle around the tape is being used to emphasise this point again. In this way he can then speak for `New Zealanders' who don't want to bother with such things and want to focus on the "things that matter", such as the economy and trade, pure abstractions.

    'Psychopath"? Hardly. A real instinct and damned clever.... so far. There have been a number of slips but he has managed to regain his balance very quickly.

    Palmerston North • Since Sep 2008 • 106 posts Report Reply

  • Jonathan King, in reply to Joe Wylie,

    He kissed a toad, confident that something of his shininess would rub off on the critter. Now he's trying to blame the media for the resulting warts.

    Ha! Nailed it.

    Since Sep 2010 • 185 posts Report Reply

  • Chris Waugh, in reply to HenryB,

    You haven't really clarified things for me at all. I've heard all that ordinary bloke stuff and all the above politics stuff and I just can't see where people get that impression. 'Psychopath' is the impression he gives me. He strikes me as the kind of guy who doesn't feel shame or guilt about what he does so long as it advances his cause. At the very least, one does not achieve the kind of success he has without at least a certain measure of ruthlessness. I don't know what Key's cause is, but I don't believe for a second it's the good of New Zealand.

    Wellington • Since Jan 2007 • 2401 posts Report Reply

  • andin, in reply to Chris Waugh,

    Sociopath then.

    raglan • Since Mar 2007 • 1891 posts Report Reply

  • Chris Waugh, in reply to andin,

    Oops, was I getting the wrong word? Sociopath may well be the word I should've used.

    Wellington • Since Jan 2007 • 2401 posts Report Reply

  • DexterX, in reply to Steve Barnes,

    The number of people living in poverty ranked higher than the economy at 7.5.

    Um, people living in poverty is an economic outcome - an outcome of an economy in trouble.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 1224 posts Report Reply

  • DexterX, in reply to Craig Ranapia,

    Well, if Gigolo Winston manages to work his rancid charms on enough Grey Power meetings, we get former North Shore Mayor Andrew 'Piddles The Clown' Williams (#3 on the party list).

    Thaks for this - I am really crossing my fingers in the hope that Winston gets up and Act goes out - that would just such a blast to have Winston in with Mr Williams - a Dynamic Duo indeed.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 1224 posts Report Reply

  • DexterX,

    and now for some real news - just so that you all don't forget what it looks like - not that you are likely to see it in the popular media - but it hints at the shape of things to come.

    The next rhee years will see a rise in lock outs - me thinks.

    http://www.voxy.co.nz/national/iuf-launches-solidarity-campaign-against-cmp/5/107760

    Employment relations should be an election issue.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 1224 posts Report Reply

  • Ian Dalziel,

    Warped n Loopy, Smooth n Glossy...

    satin John

    I like that!
    He is a slippery sheet...

    or even if it had been
    statin John
    that would sum up his approach:
    to reducing the nation's fat,
    lean times ahead...

    Christchurch • Since Dec 2006 • 7953 posts Report Reply

  • Paul Campbell,

    OK - how is it the Greens are allowed to steal other people's paste-ups off of National party signs - that seems just plain wrong ....

    Dunedin • Since Nov 2006 • 2623 posts Report Reply

  • Steve Barnes, in reply to Ian Dalziel,

    I like that!He is a slippery sheet…

    With a well polished persona,
    Who said you couldn't polish one?.
    Wax on Whacks off.

    Peria • Since Dec 2006 • 5521 posts Report Reply

  • Sacha, in reply to DexterX,

    the shape of things to come

    try this tidbit about public sector slashing, buried in a story last week about the prospective Finance Ministers.

    When National came into office it inherited a set of Treasury forecasts pointing to a decade of deficits and an economy that had already been in recession for months.

    It has slashed new spending provisions and put the public service on a belt-tightening programme for which, English warns, there is no end in sight. The public service, he says, is only about a quarter of the way through the process of reshaping it around tighter budgets, fewer public servants and fewer government departments.

    English cites that process, and significant welfare reform, as the two big priorities of a second-term National government.

    Funny how that's not in their campaign adverts. Nor is Labour saying much about it..

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report Reply

  • Kumara Republic, in reply to Sacha,

    Funny how that’s not in their campaign adverts. Nor is Labour saying much about it..

    Which is why the PSA is making all the noises themselves.

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

  • Kumara Republic, in reply to DexterX,

    The next rhee years will see a rise in lock outs – me thinks.

    Unite! managed to turn the tables not too long ago, by turning a lockout at a call centre into a boss-napping.

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

  • Sofie Bribiesca,

    So Winnie and Hone got the thumbs up on the Debate on TV One, from the audience . Winnie 36% Hone 27% Don B 14% Tariana 3% Russell got 13% and Dunne was 7%.
    Only caught the last half hour. Did anyone else watch it?

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

  • HenryB,

    I’ve heard all that ordinary bloke stuff and all the above politics stuff and I just can’t see where people get that impression.

    But that's where one needs to start. Clearly JK `charm' doesn't stretch to convincing at least 45-48% of the electorate of the value of what he advocates or what he stands for. What one needs to understand is how it is that it does to the roughly 10% in the middle ground and one needs to put oneself in their shoes, to try and see what they see. They certainly don't see a `psychopath' or a `sociopath'. And that's where I agree with Steven (and others) who suggest that what they see is someone who wants to take the politics out of politics - and, for this 10%, manages to do this really well.

    The thing that worries me is his advocacy of SM in the electoral referendum. Once again (as with asset sales), clearly running against the stream - but drawing on his `charm' to subtly suggest a vote against MMP. It is a subtle political confidence trick which, if successful, will be more consequential than almost anything else.

    Palmerston North • Since Sep 2008 • 106 posts Report Reply

  • DexterX,

    John Key and John Banks after getting along famously at their tea date were planning to take a bath together later on that very nice evening, they also reminisced and tossed up who they would most like to shag - Dolly Parton or Margaret Thatcher - seeing as Shane Warne got Elizabeth Hurley - then Nek Minnet.

    They don't want you to know that - but as long as they keep it to themselves.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 1224 posts Report Reply

  • Kumara Republic, in reply to Steve Barnes,

    Not too keen on Roads of Nationals significance either it seems.
    Poll shows 81 per cent of Wellingtonians want more spending on public transport

    My 'Holiday Highways to Nowhere' poster is now available from my new blog.

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

  • thegirlstefan, in reply to Sofie Bribiesca,

    I saw bits of it- Jane Clifton has a good, far wrap-up on the Listener Live election blog which Toby Manhire has been managing (very well- the guy must be exhausted!).

    Another good candidates debate- Hauraki-Waikato electorate, in the hall at Ngaruawahia HS- tonight. Yes, Julian Wilcox is the Maori George Clooney, and they deserved that Current Affairs award at the AFTAs

    Aotearoa • Since Oct 2011 • 42 posts Report Reply

  • Joe Wylie, in reply to Hilary Stace,

    There also seems to be a bit of frustration around the country about National Party candidates not turning up to, or pulling out of election meetings.

    Brownlee didn’t front to the Ilam candidates event tonight, which seemed to come as no surprise to most of those who turned up. Six participants in the neutral territory of the Bryndwr Baptist Church hall, only Mana was missing, but no Loch Ness monster sighting. A frazzled little chap who didn’t identify himself as being aligned with National delivered the news – Mister Brownlee’s office had called around three hours before the meeting was due to start, no substitute could be arranged, he’s a busy man, he may even be in Australia.

    Although the news was received with surprisingly few catcalls the little chap became visibly agitated, especially when members of the audience were able to confirm that Brownlee had been in town earlier in the afternoon. In one of the safest National seats he appeared to be the only member of the Party faithful who’d bothered to show.

    flat earth • Since Jan 2007 • 4593 posts Report Reply

  • Lilith __,

    Has anyone already posted this gem from Denis Welch?

    Dunedin • Since Jul 2010 • 3895 posts Report Reply

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