Cracker by Damian Christie

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Cracker: On the trail, pt 1.

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  • Rich of Observationz,

    someone who loses by a few hundred votes in a well-contested electorate battle could ever be considered to be “rejected” by voters

    Or (if we are talking sitting MPs) someone who loses by a few thousand votes where the demographic has changed. Or for non-sitting MPs, someone who chooses to run in an opposition safe seat. There is also the case where a politician is such an egregious dick that their party declines to favour them with a winnable list place, but lets them have a crack at an electorate in the hope that the local voters will be mad enough to elect them (Stephen Franks, Bob Clarkson).

    There is a simple remedy if you don’t like who a party puts on its list – don’t vote for that party.

    Back in Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 5550 posts Report

  • Damian Christie,

    ...exactly. I fear that the only situation people think of when they propose no double-ups between electorate and list candidates is one where someone is effectively booted out of their electorate for perceived wrongs and then sneaks in on the list.

    It also raises the point as to whether the good folk of Hunua, for instance, are the only ones who should decide whether Jordan Carter gets to be an MP. Obviously they should decide whether he gets to be their MP, and this is the fundamental split really, isn't it.

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 1164 posts Report

  • Rich of Observationz,

    I edited because I realized he isn't running there this time...

    Back in Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 5550 posts Report

  • Islander,

    Your #1 suggestion wouldnt be a shoo-in on the West Coast...

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

  • Damian Christie,

    Dammit. I tried to get down to the West Coast last week to check that. Got up at 5am, got a plane to Wellington only to find out after landing that Westport Airport was closed due to rain. Would I like to fly to Nelson and then bus to Westport? Um, no thank you. So forgive me if my survey was incomplete :)

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 1164 posts Report

  • Islander, in reply to Damian Christie,

    Weeellllcome to the wiiillld! – oops! West Coast was supposed to be in there somewhere…

    (waves a tantalising whitebait at you, which is really pissed off by that action-)

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

  • Steve Curtis,

    I didnt know the West Coast finished at the Buller River.
    Heard of Greymouth and its airport Hokitika

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 314 posts Report

  • Damian Christie,

    Thanks Steve for your smart-arse response, although I don't know that Hokitika residents would appreciate being reduced to "Greymouth's airport".

    And yes, I'm quite aware of which airports service the West Coast. However on the day in question the only flight that could get me in early enough, and out again at the end of the day were both in Westport. I was planning to drive to Greymouth and back from there.

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 1164 posts Report

  • 3410,

    Best of luck with the baby, Damian.

    Auckland • Since Jan 2007 • 2618 posts Report

  • Ian Dalziel,

    Winston's Myth: We Winston, You Winston...

    ...but I wouldn’t be surprised if Winston Peters chooses not
    to stand in an electorate seat.

    Surely the honourable thing would be for him to run in one of those grey electorates like Ohariu or Epsom to muddy the waters...

    PS: all the best for Wednesday.

    Christchurch • Since Dec 2006 • 7953 posts Report

  • Islander, in reply to Damian Christie,

    Actually, Greymouth does have a small plane airport – once had a slightly terrifying landing in a Robbie there, when the chopper pilot stood off the Dash 8
    I’d be travelling to Auckland in, because he didnt want me to be late for (Monteith’s organised) flight-

    that is/will be the only time in my life I’ve travelled in
    (in the course of one day)
    a Robinson
    a Dash 8
    (ur shit, memory going – the first aircraft on the Coast to fly ’bait in and out*) annnd
    a 737 to USA-

    Damian, as you know, Hokitika NEVER loves being any kind of appendage to Greymouth.
    Not since the time Graymouth was Mawhera-

    this wonderful beast was open cockpit & passenger seat. I cried, because I suddenly understood how truly exciting early flight had been for humans towards the beginning of last century...

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

  • thegirlstefan,

    Yes, good luck for Wednesday, Damian.

    What are people thinking of the TV1 Debate so far? I found the first bit so excruciating I switched over to the Shortland Street Halloween Special (maybe it's another example of the problems of transferring Northern Hemisphere traditions to NZ, but it wasn't that spooky when it's still nice and sunny outside).

    Aotearoa • Since Oct 2011 • 42 posts Report

  • Islander, in reply to Islander,

    O, an happy arrival for mum & babe & dad-

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

  • Ian Dalziel,

    The Halloween Men...
    Key is doing a domineering Lucy van Pelt impersonation
    with Goff somewhere between Linus and Charlie Brown
    he's a nice guy and needs a shot of Snoopy to shoot down Key's
    Red Baron-like barking, snarking and dog fighting...

    Christchurch • Since Dec 2006 • 7953 posts Report

  • Rich of Observationz, in reply to Islander,

    I travelled across Sussex once in a Robbie R24: the flight was smooth, the trip back in my mate’s Porsche was scary as. I think he’d had it dinned into him that flying small helicopters was a job requiring extreme caution – fast cars, not so much.

    Still, not as scary as the North Sea, where you got a half-hour safety briefing (later upgraded to a 2-day course) and an immersion suit before you got on the helo.

    Back in Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 5550 posts Report

  • Russell Brown,

    With a baby due, um, Wednesday

    I'll remember you to everyone at the Music Awards on Thursday, bro.

    But seriously: best of luck. You'll be a great dad.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report

  • Sacha, in reply to thegirlstefan,

    I found the first bit so excruciating I switched over

    Lasted about half way myself. Laughably incomptetent moderation and direction. The Greens' alternative online session (finished now) was way better value, as were the various Twitter streams. Still no agreed hashtag for the election.

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report

  • Damian Christie,

    Ha - thanks Russ, everyone, I can't wait.

    I should say, that baby is DUE on Wednesday, but when s/he decides to turn up is anyone's guess. And so I do have a pass to the Music Awards, and I might pop in for a couple of drinks towards the end there, but with Backbenches Auckland special on Wednesday night (all welcome), and a day-trip to New Plymouth to cover the campaign for Q+A, I might be pushing my luck somewhat, baby or no.

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 1164 posts Report

  • Craig Ranapia,

    With a baby due, um, Wednesday

    You lie, sir. You look twelve. Always have. Always will. Keep your damn baby off my lawn. Harumph.

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

  • Russell Brown, in reply to Damian Christie,

    but with Backbenches Auckland special on Wednesday night (all welcome),

    Jose and I shot a show in Christchurch on Thursday and Friday -- therefore no studio record this week -- so I can come! See you there.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report

  • Sacha, in reply to Damian Christie,

    Backbenches Auckland special on Wednesday night

    Where?

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report

  • Russell Brown, in reply to Sacha,

    Where?

    Here.

    If you're in the neighbourhood, make sure you get down to the Britomart Country Club, 31 Galway Street, on Wednesday 2 November from 8pm to be part of the LIVE audience. If you cant make it to the Britomart County Club, fear not you can watch it LIVE on TVNZ 7 at 9.05pm.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report

  • Sacha, in reply to Russell Brown,

    Ta

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report

  • BenWilson,

    Good luck Damian. Looking forward to 2am tweets very soon.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 10657 posts Report

  • Islander, in reply to BenWilson,

    Heh! Dads to dads eh!

    (O goodness, why did I have the utter luck of 2 midwife sisters and a GP sisterinlaw who specialises in birth? (not just gyne.) I’m an asexual, I am I am…and I love my numerous sibling offspring, yay unto the grand ones – and I’m bloody thankful that I only teach them fishing & cooking & the occaisional molotov cocktail…I had bethought me a lofty distant presence (the first time I changed a little needy person’s naps buggered that idea-)

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

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