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mike2

425 comments · +4,960 / −10,272 · rank #40271 of 40,276

Defied the pundits? No they have got on with the job while journalists said it couldnt be done - but that reflected a lack of understanding of MMP not any issue with the coalition working. The Nat naggers obviously said it wouldnt work but they were always going to find reason to moan. The government is working extremely well and achieving more than the previous failed nats.

+87−55

This is pathetic - Serena is wrong so its sexist. Serena is wrong so its racist. The reality is its neither racist or sexist its childish on Serenas part. She ruined it for her opponent and presented herself to the world as a sore loser. She needs to grow up and so does the womans movement. Sometimes girls youre wrong and this was one of those times

+23−1

Better still are the endless pieces about Simon and his dislike of his colleagues. Or the constant speculation about when hell be dumped as leader - 6 months is my guess. Heavens is their anything to positive to say about the nats - oh apart from the fact they are very good at opposition and will have the job a long time.

+48−30

Actually is was a good interview. Guyon went after winston and winston held his own. Giving as good as he got. It was the way interviews should be. Unlike say the love fest between hosking and key or the fumbling repeating pettiness of the ruffled ramblings of Garner.

+22−10

The speakers as the stoke meeting in Auckland asked if they wanted to take further action including a two day strike and it was met with cheers. Thats not a commitment to striking its merely an indicator of feeling. For the media to suggest otherwise is to suggest the media dont understand the principles of democracy.

+16−6

Simon will undertake measures that increases welfare dependency because it â˜fair on tax payers. Such nonsense logic is the reason simon is a joke and national are in opposition. The fact is national are lost at sea with no idea or vision as usual.

+21−12

Exactly. the coalition was said to be doomed from day one but the reality is they do get on well together and in spite of what people say Peters is a man of his word and has integrity - qualities lacking in the national caucus. This is a genuine MMP coalition which is working effectively.

+29−21

Damian is delightfully naive if he thinks capitalism has morality and doesnt require a watchful eye to avoid it exploiting the consumer. Its what it does if given the opportunity. We should be grateful for a government motivated to hold commerce to account and commerce should welcome it... if it has nothing to fear.

+20−15

So on one hand you are pleased with your decision because it essentially produces a democratic result you like on the other hand its not how you think democracy should would. One can see by this contradiction the perhaps you really shouldnt be writing about democracy n

+16−11

If you step back and think about it objectively the biggest coalition in parliament is the national party with all is bitter little factions fighting it out behind the scenes. Each of them plotting the best time to stage a coup against Simon and Simon blissfully unaware of the plotting going on behind his back.

+47−44

The leak is within national. Collins or Bennett are the most likely. The party are in disarray. They are devastated after losing and they are a loss about how to win. The fact is they cant win. A leadership change is inevitable but it wont help. They need coalition partners but they have yet to fully grasp that fact. And if they could somehow find one it would only split their vote. The are a party in the wilderness with no way out. Lets be honest it wonderful.

+7−4

Dame Jenny Shipley got the Dame bit for being the PM who rolled the boys who used to do politics over a bottle of whiskey. - Did she Duncan? Really. She got the Dame bit because she rolled Bolger when he was out of the country. That was gutless, pure and simple. She was a coward who didnt front up to Bolger. She got the dame bit because she was a former PM. Albeit a largely unsuccessful one. And what is that bit about doing politics over a bottle of whiskey? And rolling the boys who like whiskey? Politicians like a drink - Muldoon did and announced a general election after a few to many and Peters famously likes his whiskey. But how does rolling the boys become more impressive if the boys like whiskey. Much of what duncan has to say makes little sense and amounts to the rambling opinion of the ill informed... the one that you meet at the party who is never wrong and will shout you down to prove it. Its like publishing the ramblings of Hosking. Reason and evidence get left at the door in favour of personal bias. Whatever happened to the thoughtful balanced political commentary of the like expressed by Sir Kieth Jackson for example. Reasoned, impartial, impassioned. Instead we get garner... its a shame.

+3−1

A nasty rant is a pointless thing... and your comment is a nasty rant. Fortunately the current government are busy tidying the mess in health and education and policing that the previous government created and covered up.

+20−19

I like how he thinks hes stronger as his polling slips to 7% - that must be some kind of record. Even Bill English never managed that when he took the party to 20% in the polls. Perhaps he should just resign. Bennett to. They need fresh forward thinking leadership but sadly the nats are not a fresh forward thinking party.

+28−27