I predicted here and elsewhere that the recording of the now infamous election campaign ‘cup of tea‘ between ACT Epsom candidate John Banks and National Party leader John Key or a transcript would be released … I called that “inevitable“.
Viz, yesterday:
The recording at soundcloud.com (click)
The recording is now available at multiple locations. This ‘cleaned up audio’ version has had five and a half thousand ‘plays’ in less that 24 hours, and, as I write this, a different copy has had about 22,000 plays at YouTube demonstrating considerable public interest, I suggest. (See my post ‘public interest’ vs ‘the issues that matter’).
– P
And here’s a transcript, vis the Jackel: http://thejackalman.blogspot.com/2012/01/teapot-tape-transcript.html
To my ears, where the transcript records John Banks…
I think he’s saying “The left has been …”
John Key’s sermonette-in-response about avoiding ‘negative campaigning’ was laughable given his later ‘I’m going spend the last week of the campaign warning people not to vote for Winston Peters.’
Lack of self-awareness? Hmm.
“Released” its understating it. Leaked is more like it, Oh and what a disgrace it was, what he said was disgraceful Hang them, Hang them both. As I have stated before record anyone for a period of time without their knowledge and see if they come out ‘clean’. There’s nothing here. Get over it.
I reckon Key would been better off letting this come out at the time its so lame it would of blown over in days. It was a mistake I believe however he may not quite have remembered exact details.
The reporter who left the device behind should be rep-remanded.
Also 22000 is nothing 200000 is more like it.
Really was a storm in a teacup, huh.
I agree. Vaguely interesting to hear the slightly sycophantic banter between the two and the efforts to belie the impression of collusion.
The comments about Peters and his supporters were no big deal, as you say, although Key’s estimates/predictions for NZ First’s share of the vote were way off.
re the ACT leadership, well, they’re free to discuss that, aren’t they? As observers and political players?
Is it so terrible, what they said?
Is it a surprise to anyone that politicians say one thing in private and a different thing in public? No. not really.
Seems a pretty minor issue to involve the police — sending them into newsrooms with search warrants just before an election.
Very Bainimarana or Mugabe-like….
Now where did i read the line about “the banality of evil”.
I for one think the tapes are significant. They give a window into these two little duplicitous schemers ‘minds’ (or at least what passes for a mind). The comments about the elderly were not harmless or ‘nothing much’. Its probably about time the great unwashed understood the chillingly offhand banal, and janus-facedness of these people. If indeed they are people.
I can easily see why Key didnt want the tapes released. I can also see why he got the cops involved. He’s a nasty urbane little piece of work is Mr Key.
Ivan I am not sure what rock you live under but I hear people slander all kinds of groups elderly included every day. And if some of what I hear and say were made public, it would not be a good look. So why do we say this with confidence because its a private conversation. and if you think people in positions of Power are careful in all instances all the time you are truly Naive.
This Reeks of I hate Key! he farted so he must stink all the time.
The reference to the rock i live under is unnecessary – but i digress.
People in positions of power – are in positions where they can make their private utterances, thoughts and fantasies come true. Thats the rub.
I have no information on Keys level of flatulence – but i must say he appears to have a pinched look about him that suggests he forces things through one or the other orifice perhaps. Maybe both at the same time.
The conversation on the tape was generally banal and lacked any meaningful substance.
Alas, this is how poormastery is beginning to characterise this National government.
My natural inclination is to support small efficient government, which is what National is arguably supposed to be about (leaving Sir Robert Muldoon out of it).
Yet what have these guys actually implemented in almost four years governing? I can’t think of anything…
This status quo drifting is rather risible…
Rgds,
*p*
Hi poormastery, thanks for sharing your thoughts.
As I said here – http://www.thepaepae.com/newly-political-peter-leitch-timing-is-everything/19023/comment-page-1/#comment-11516
I think the Joyce/Key combo has been focussed — for the most part — on clutching power by being electorally-inoffensive (poll driven fruitcakes in Lange’s description).
I read outgoing TVNZ political editor Guyon Espiner’s comments in the NZ Herald Canvas magazine yesterday (not online yet) with a pang of recognition wherein he described watching John Key enter politics as a sort of ‘anti-politician’ and transforming his language (and behaviour?) until he is now indistinguishable … making it easier for Espiner to hang on to his ‘impartiality’.
See Bryce Edwards’ summary of Patrick Gower’s phrase ‘Joycification’ http://m.nbr.co.nz/article/nz-politics-daily-joycification-everything-ck-101659
Has it worked?
The Nationa/Act/UF coalition government holds power by a majority of one or two, with the Maori Party wavering over what they see as sly once-bitten-twice-shy tactics re the Treaty.
– P
I haven’t noticed National “pursuing rightwing public policy”, but it is possible I was otherwise occupied at the time…
MMP will nearly always result in coalition governments holding tight majorities of one or two seats, so I suppose we are stuck with status quo politics in perpetuity.
Ho hum,
*p*
Umm, that’s Bryce’s comment, but, off the top of my head…
• state asset sales
• ‘rationalizing’ welfare benefits
• ACC ‘reform’ to open it to ‘choice’ (competition)
• charter schools
• public service cuts and downsizing
• cuts to education and training
• ‘starting wage’ and changes to trial periods
• parole and sentencing toughening (lora norder)