The radio station, the newspaper columnist, and Dear Leader

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Full Story

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In another of her  mouthpiece columns for the official Party Line,  NZ Herald columnist (and National Party fan),  Fran O’Sullivan wrote a glowing report on how jolly well John Key was doing,

”  Finally, the PM is putting a stamp on his Government as he lifts its tempo and gets some serious purchase on major issues.

So far Key is making reasonable headway as he stands shoulder-to-shoulder with Cabinet ministers while they unveil pre-Budget announcements on hot issues, such as Paula Bennett’s on welfare reform. “

However, two comments stood out in Ms O’Sullivan’s cheerleading piece.  One raised this blogger’s hackles – the other seemed totally at variance with reality.

The hackle-raising bit;

”  What is on the TPP table from the US perspective is a “gold standard 21st century deal” which is more focused on complex economic integration issues which impact on national sovereignty.

There will be much more water under the TPP bridge before a deal is cemented. And Key will have to deploy considerable salesmanship to make those tradeoffs (if the deal is done) palatable to New Zealanders.  “

Pardon?!

“Palatable to New Zealanders” ?!?!

What – pray tell – is Ms O’Sullivan referring to? What inside-info is she privy to, that us lesser mortals are not aware of?

One thing that we do know is that John Key  has absolutely no hesitation in doing back-room deals which he may believe “benefits the country” – but in the long-term would create a social/economic mess for a future government to deal with.

Let’s be clear: Key is a creature of the financial world where quick, short-term gains are the order of the day – and devil take the hindmost. And never mind the consequences.

That is how the global financial crisis came about; very shrewd, clever, highly educated men and women – doing dumb, irresponsible things.

The question that begs to be asked – and answered – what “unpalatable” things is Key contemplating? What the hell is he up to???

And what will it cost us?

Next – the bit that seems “at variance with reality”,

”  But Key has more than held his own on television programmes such as Campbell Live or on Radio NZ’s Morning Report against critical news presenters trying to expose chinks in his political spin.  “

Now, this blogger might be wrong, but when, precisely, did John Key last front to be interviewed or answer questions on Radio NZ?  Not just ‘Morning Report’ – but any part of Radio NZ?

Every time Key has been invited to speak on Radio NZ (aside from last year’s election campaign), he has refused point blank.

If Ms O’Sullivan is aware of something that this blogger has missed, then so be it. We would stand corrected.

In the meantime, the perception is that Dear Leader is “gun shy” of Radio NZ. His Smile & Wave persona doesn’t work quite so well on radio – especially when the interviewer is a professional. Not a right wing lackey and mouthpiece,  such as Leighton Smith on NewstalkZB.

Perhaps Key is aware that not only is his media “honeymoon” well and truly over – but divorce proceedings have begun.

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Related blogposts

Doing ‘the business’ with John Key – Here’s How (Part # Rua)

Doing ‘the business’ with John Key – Here’s How

Does this man never learn?!

Reference

Key gets serious over NZ’s major issues

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