But he's lost the plot a bit today; success seems to have gone to his head. NZPA reports:
Oh dear. Has it escaped Russel Norman's attention that the Act advertisement is not exactly favourably disposed towards John Key? And has he not noticed that John Ansell, Act's now-former media strategist has been even more caustic towards National in his public utterances since the furore broke over the weekend?Prime Minister John Key should not accept “racist” Act Party ads and has questions to answer, the Green Party says.
ACT has sparked controversy running an ad featuring the Maori sovereignty flag headlined “Fed up with pandering to Maori Radicals?” It lists what ACT saw as National Party concessions to Maori. These ranged from the foreshore legislation to the spelling of Whanganui.
Green co-leader Russel Norman said Mr Key accepted ACT as a support partner.
“They’re his coalition partner, does he support the racist campaign they are running?” he told NZPA.
John Key is not responsible for Act. No comment was made by any Minister in his coalition government. Don Brash is not yet an Act MP, and John Ansell is not even an Act candidate. And Key has put the issue into perspective:
This morning, Mr Key told reporters there was nothing new in either the Act advertisement - which was "factually incorrect" or Mr Ansell's subsequent comments and he was not bothered by them.
"What happens with him and the Act Party, frankly I don't give a toss about, but at the end of the day I don't think any of us would be surprised that he's making those comments."
He said the comments would not sour National's relationship with ACT.
"We don't share all the views that ACT quite clearly has but that doesn't mean we can't work with them, but we clearly don't share all the views the Maori Party has either but we've certainly proved over the last three years that we can work with them as well."
The PM has effectively slammed the door on Russel Norman's bleatings, and those of John Ansell at the other end of the scale. Perhaps Norman should reflect on John Key's Preferred Prime Minister ratings and take note if he has any similar ambitions. After all, the way that Labour's vote is dissipating, he and Metiria Turei may yet be the co-Leaders of the Opposition by the end of 2011.
13 comments:
It wouldn't surprise me if the voluble Mr Ansell is not even a MEMBER of the ACT party.
I think it is a bit of a concern that out Prime Minister "doesn't give a toss" about the attitudes and beliefs of a political party that he has indicated that he would be prepared to go into coalition with.
Most definitely.
Anything for power, nevermind compromised principles and beliefs.
Jacqueline.... John key said no such thing.
What he said was "What happens with him (Ansell) and the Act Party, frankly I don't give a toss about"
Quite so MVL; and he also said:
"We don't share all the views that ACT quite clearly has but that doesn't mean we can't work with them, but we clearly don't share all the views the Maori Party has either but we've certainly proved over the last three years that we can work with them as well."
Such is the nature of coalition government.
what ever happened to freedom of speech Mr Norman?
Why is an opinion that you object to deemed unworthy of public scrutiny?
Why do you call someone who wants people treated equally and not based on race a Racist?
Not surprisingly Inv2, you miss the point altogether but I'm here to help.
From your post:
Russel says: “They’re his coalition partner, does he support the racist campaign they are running?”
The question is Inv2, does Key support the racist campaign they are running?
Nothing about criticisms of National, nothing about personal criticisms of Key, but does Mr Key support the racist campaign they are running.
Now (you with me? Haven't frothed-up already? Jacqueline is correct by the way - you should listen to her. Or do you, like Ansell, Brash and Thompson. not think she's able to use her brain the way men do Inv2?).
Key has been asked about the racist aspect of the Act campaign. If he doesn't reject Act because of their racist advertisement and subsequent statements (Brash ticked-off the advertisement and said how supportive he was of it), then the Left will fire-up their 'Vote John, get Don' campaign and your chances of celebrating a victory on polling night will be zero. If he does give Brash the toss, same result. Brash, Ansell and co have just majorly screwed the Rights electoral chances. Russel is simply turning the screws.
You've misread the whole situation and when you 'get' it, you'll feel sick to your stomach old chap!
This attempt to make Russel look silly (I know, you're only aping Farrar - get a view of your own Inv2, for your reader's sake!) is laughable and that's just what I'm doing Inv2.
Well Robert, you're wrong and so is Russel. ACT and National are not "coalition partners" they have a confidence and supply agreement which binds them to collective responsibility on their portfolio areas but leaves them free to criticise the Government elsewhere.
I've got more news for you too, ACT will be in the next parliament because Banks will win Epsom and there are enough of us who have nowhere else to place our party votes that he'll bring another couple of MPs with him at least.
"Confidence' James?
Yes, that's the question isn't it.
Has Key got confidence in those clowns. Look, I sympathise with you, it's appalling what's happened to your party and I won't even begin to list the injuries you've suffered but this last one is just disgraceful. That you've got your hopes pinned on Banks is nice I suppose but has it really come to that for you people - Banks is your pass into Government?
That's just embarrassing.
At any rate, the distaste that Ansell and Brash have created in the minds of the voting public will sour their liking for Key, knowing that if you vote John, you get Don and his apparent popularity won't take them high enough on the day, they'll fail and the 'Banks' Party will fall with them. The Coalition of the Left will pool their votes and take the reins.
You know in your bones it's true James.
It's not *my* party Robert. I'm not now, nor have I ever been the member of a political party - ACT merely remain the best of an extremely bad set of options.
What you need to do is look at the preferred PM ratings - that tells you the extent to which people are actually listening to your message. They listen a lot to JK, hardly at all to Goff and don't even notice the Greens, ACT and Untied Future...your vote comes entirely from the reflection of the international Green brand (you don't think anyone looks at your policies do you?!) and ACT's from the "well there's bugger all else to vote for" crowd like me...
Don't let me dispel the warm glow all that wishful thinking is giving you though eh...Brad Wiggins has more chance of winning the Tour with his arm in a sling than the Greens of being part of the next government.
Don-Key want to privatise NZs ass(ets) and create clones out of God's children regardless of race. INV2 do you implicitly support ACTs support of your high priest?
My questions too Inv2 - are you quite comfortable with Act and are you happy that your Adorable Mr Key is comfortable having such disfunctional people as part of his Government (blah blah 'confidence and supply' - spit hairs if you must)?
In my opinion, Jesus would kick their arses out of the temple.
Come on Inv2 - over here!
Exactly what was racist about ACT's ad? Did it attack Maori people for being Maori...? No...then quit your lying bullshit Guyton.
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