Posts by dc_red
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David's observation that the speech did nothing to distinguish Key from the Prime Minister, and failed to offer any insight into what he believes/stands for, is an accurate one. No one expects a full policy portfolio in the first 48 hours, but surely a new leader must articulate at least one central objective and point of differentiation. Y'know, something along the lines of "Under my leadership, National will ensure/prioritize/relentlessly promote ... [something]". Even if that something is expressed in somewhat general terms.
Now we know Mr Key and friends will be promoting lower taxes, but Labour/UF are clearly positioning themselves to do the same (unless Cullen really wants to ensure that Labour loses next time by continuing in his moronic ways).
If Labour really shifts the tax brackets in a significant way, and lowers the business and middle income tax rate to 30c, what's National got left?
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My closing thought for today is that all this really couldn't be happening to a nicer party.
Now home for a beer,TV3 news, and then whatever the night brings!
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Re: contraception. It seems to display a bit too much rat-like cunning to be McCully. How about John Banks?
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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.
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Guess who said that..
Someone with good sense? McCully really is a prat. :)
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Paul - fair point! I'm smiling broadly, but would like to enjoy it more and join you in hearty laughter!! :)
All the same, nothing so far has surprised me much. Most corrupt opposition in history and all that. :)
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Amid the hilarity, can I sound a note of caution? What do we know so far?
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?
2/ Don Brash and the National hierarchy have some rich benefactors. Some are the usual suspects from the 80s. Again, this revelation has a certain "well d'uh" category.
I stand to be corrected as more info comes to light of course, but these are the two things I've "learned" so far.
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Maybe you've met him yourself, and had some in-depth political discussions with him, and are therefore entitled to label him a 'fringe socialist'. Personally, from the knowledge that I have of him he's a long way from the socialist fringe.
Kyle - I suspect that for some commentators of the kiwiblog variety, anything short of a full-blown neocon revolution is extremist socialism ("red in tooth and claw").
Just like for some on the other side of the spectrum, anything short of a proletarian revolution and nationalization of the means of production (preferrably by noon tomorrow) is a cop out to the capitalist class.
Both types are very, very boring and best avoided at social events.
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One of the great things about July 27, 2002 was that the Hon Mr McCully came within 1534 votes of losing the National stronghold of Easy Coast Bays.
Still, shouldn't be too cocky, Helen Clark almost lost Mt Albert in 1990.
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Biggest thing from the interview though was they are only allocating 150 car parks for 33,000 seat stadium, as the pedestrian car only makes up 20% of the donwtown traffic!!! Imagine Vancouver slightly larger than Auckland with similar urban spraw and only 150 car parks (not for the [public), that is how well the Canucks have taken to public transport there (and the other parking options).
Compie - Vancouver has two downtown stadia (GM Place for the Canucks NHL team; BC Place for the Lions CFL team and concerts), and a third planned nearby for the Whitecaps soccer team. I'm not sure which of these you're referring to, but regardless, the lack of vehicular traffic around the Canucks game I went to at BC Place last month was great. There sure as heck was a lot of pedestrian traffic though.
BTW, you may be saddened to know that a one zone bus/skytrain/seabus ticket now costs $2.25. It still lasts 90 mins though.