Hard News by Russell Brown

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Hard News: Steven Joyce: Prick or Treat

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  • Marc C,

    Well, what a "performance" by Steven Joyce on 'The Nation', it was truly a "shocker". No wonder he is a List MP. It was indeed one of the worst "interviews" I have ever seen. He must have had a bad night, a terrible hangover or whatever, to lose control to such a degree.

    But I put some blame also on Lisa Owen, who can at times conduct great interviews, but also does at times lose it. This time she was not able to keep two males in check, who were both clearly intent on exploiting every second for "electioneering". Lisa should have laid down the rules straight from the start, and she should perhaps have stopped the interview once Joyce endlessly interrupted Grant Robertson and her, with his incessant attempts to get attention and to push the National Party ideological line.

    Grant Robertson sadly also got tempted, to snap back at Joyce at times, so all three looked like children arguing about who deserves to play with which toy in the sandpit.

    Such TV performances will have turned many potential voters off right from the start, I fear, as even the informed and experienced will have thought, hey, is this the kind of politics and politicians we have and "work" for us?

    As for the survey results on Key, I am not surprised that so many distrust him, as he has indeed been convenient with the truth repeatedly. Sadly some people get away with far too much, just because of appearance and their smart, at times charming mannerisms. David Cunliffe did certainly overdo it, when he apologised for his apologies, that was just ridiculous, I thought. I fear that it is the lack of firm support he gets from a fair few MPs in the Labour caucus, that is to blame for him having been worn down, tired and less convincing and clear. He seems to feel pressured by some to be mindful of what the public may think, and to also try and please every potential Labour voter there may be.

    There is indeed a marked difference between David Cunliffe a few months ago, and how he talks and presents himself these days. The last few weeks up to the election will demand all from him, to finally show who he really is, and whether he has the determination, stamina and spirit to follow a clear line and be passionate, about what he and many that support him really stand for.

    It is far too early to call in this election, and there are likely to be many surprises coming from small party players, as the recent announcements by Colin Craig has shown.

    Auckland • Since Oct 2012 • 437 posts Report

  • Tinakori,

    "If and when John Key decides to quit parliamentary politics, he will leave a large and possibly quite destructive vacuum to fill."

    A lot like Helen Clark, with a couple of important differences. The quality of recruiting under her and Mike Williams was very low with the continued rise to dominance of the party apparrachik, people who who have spent most of their lives focused on politics and for whom their political identity is a major part of their personal identity. Clark was also much more of a Labour Party person than Key has been a National Party person and Key's use it or lose it attitude to his Cabinet has also encouraged party outsiders to look at the possibility of being an MP in a way they might not have before. National still faces the problem of the young political professional who has known almost nothing but politics.
    just not to the same extent as Labour. But, vacuums tend to be filled mostly because the poor performance of a government encourages voters to look at the alternative with greater interest and the core supporters of a government lose heart. Helen Clark is a classic example. Her triumph was to hang on as leader until the National-NZ First government showered itself with enough shit to make both parties unelectable

    Wellington • Since Jul 2013 • 118 posts Report

  • Kumara Republic, in reply to ,

    There might be more to the problem than just Cunliffe.

    If there's only one factor in that regard, it'd have to be ALP-style factionalism. Labour really needs to tell the seat-warmers within its caucus to know when to quit, but is the risk of a party split worth it?

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

  • Kumara Republic, in reply to Tinakori,

    The quality of recruiting under her and Mike Williams was very low with the continued rise to dominance of the party apparrachik, people who who have spent most of their lives focused on politics and for whom their political identity is a major part of their personal identity.

    The likes of George Hawkins were difficult enough to dislodge as it was, despite tacit prodding from Helen Clark. On the other hand, then-Henderson Labour MP Jack Elder - a Right-flanker who supported Mike Moore - was effectively given the heave-ho in 1996 when he was passed over in favour of Chris Carter and demoted down the party list, and jumped to Winston's ship. He eventually went on to be part of the late and unlamented Mauri Pacific.

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

  • Sacha,

    I'd recorded Cunliffe as being brisk, straightford and relaxed, even as he basked in Lawrence Lessig's praise for his telecommunications reforms,

    Yes, a globally-obvious accomplishment of policy and implementation; not relying on a sub-par strategy/comms team.

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report

  • Sacha, in reply to Kumara Republic,

    Labour really needs to tell the seat-warmers within its caucus to know when to quit, but is the risk of a party split worth it?

    yes

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report

  • Sacha, in reply to Marc C,

    This time she was not able to keep two males in check

    really?

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report

  • Kumara Republic, in reply to Sacha,

    yes

    Were a split to happen, where would the ABCs bolt to, NZ First? And if they actually did, then why didn't they bolt in 1993-96, when NZ First formed in the first place and Helen Clark took charge of Labour?

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

  • Ross Mason,

    It's very sad, as much as I would very much like to comment on this he is now my boss. And it being election time we have been informed that we must be careful about what and where we comment. Bye for now.

    Upper Hutt • Since Jun 2007 • 1590 posts Report

  • Keir Leslie,

    Oh god lord it's the dread ABCs again. Really?

    Since Jul 2008 • 1452 posts Report

  • Keir Leslie,

    But for reals, it is just the absolute laziest analysis in the world.

    Since Jul 2008 • 1452 posts Report

  • andin,

    Joyce may have simply been prepared to look like an arsehole

    You can bet your wooly socks he didnt see it like that. Oh No! He probably saw himself as a fearless fighter for Truth, Justice and the Key Way.
    Perceptions are a funny thing,
    when madness is rife in the world of pee-ape-pals.
    They'll piss on anyone.
    And playing nice in that world?
    Yeah that'll work...

    raglan • Since Mar 2007 • 1891 posts Report

  • Tom Semmens,

    But for reals, it is just the absolute laziest analysis in the world.

    Expel Trevor, he can be the Admiral Byng pour encourager les autres.

    Sevilla, Espana • Since Nov 2006 • 2217 posts Report

  • Tristan,

    The best person for the job post key appears to be Bill English. He keeps his head down enough that he doesn't appear like a complete asshole all the time.

    Of course the first leader post key will lose so why would he want to do that again?

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 221 posts Report

  • Euan Mason, in reply to Tristan,

    The best person for the job post key appears to be Bill English.

    There's going to be a hell of a lot of damage to repair. Do you think New Zealanders will be up for it, or will we just continue to drift with laissez faire?

    Canterbury • Since Jul 2008 • 259 posts Report

  • Keir Leslie,

    Yeah I dunno like Rob Salmond, I would just rather not to do the weird purge thing. I dunno. Just me.

    Since Jul 2008 • 1452 posts Report

  • william blake,

    Only a third of voters believe John Key when he says he had never heard of Kim Dotcom until the eve of the raid on Dotcom mansion

    A song from the Lange family regarding Mr Keys believability.

    http://clyp.it/b3esimvz

    Since Mar 2010 • 380 posts Report

  • Sacha,

    I'd rather the left get on with winning this election than waste any more of our energy speculating about the fate of its largest party. It has proved spectacularly impervious to well-intentioned feedback for quite some time anyway.

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report

  • Keir Leslie,

    Except, ah, look above at the post where you do exactly that.

    Since Jul 2008 • 1452 posts Report

  • Sacha, in reply to Keir Leslie,

    what, speculate about what will happen inside Labour after the election? don't think so

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report

  • Kevin McCready,

    It's not the first time this has happened to Lisa. She needs to set the rules then terminate the interview if people break them.

    Auckland • Since Jun 2013 • 119 posts Report

  • Russell Brown, in reply to Kevin McCready,

    It’s not the first time this has happened to Lisa. She needs to set the rules then terminate the interview if people break them.

    Easier said than done, of course. But yeah -- in that situation you need to very firmly establish who's boss and whose show it is.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report

  • Rich of Observationz,

    I'd heard a whisper that Slater is after a good list spot and Collins has promised him one once Key (who prefers not to have any more convicted crims in his caucus than strictly necessary) is out of the way.

    Back in Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 5550 posts Report

  • tony j ricketts, in reply to Kumara Republic,

    Labour really needs to tell the seat-warmers within its caucus to know when to quit, but is the risk of a party split worth it?

    The Labour Party is a big complex organism. From the leadership contest (itself a bit of a revolution) to the election was less than a year, and an attempt to eject the 'seat warmers' would have been all-but impossible, plus it would be a messy bad look. We were all aware there is an election looming.

    If Cunliffe becomes PM, and leads a successful coalition, (both eminently possible), there will be plenty of time for the party as a whole to take a longer look at candidate selection. There is no need for a bloodbath.

    wellington • Since Aug 2012 • 41 posts Report

  • Russell Brown, in reply to Rich of Observationz,

    I’d heard a whisper that Slater is after a good list spot and Collins has promised him one once Key (who prefers not to have any more convicted crims in his caucus than strictly necessary) is out of the way.

    That would be a disaster. His opponents will only need to start quoting his own written words back to him and take it from there.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report

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