Campaign Reviews
December 3rd, 2005 at 7:01 am by David FarrarI was really pissed off when I realised I would be overseas on the day of Victoria University’s campiagn review conference. They hold one after every election and they are superb forums at which each party speaks surprisngly bluntly about what they did, what worked, what didn’t etc, plus contributions from some journalists and academics.
I should have asked Vic to web-cast it! They do publish a booklet of the day’s main speeches, so I will buy that at least.
In the best traditions of the conference, the NZ First contribution was very blunt and honest according to NZ Herald reports. Peters is seriously criticised for going dirty and negative on Bob Clarkson, as they beleive it hurt their nation-wide vote. MP Brian Donnelly also is quoted as saying “Winston has to find a way of sorting out a truce with the media, simply because we can’t go on with a Minister of Foreign Affairs in constant battle with the media.” Hope Brian doesn’t get charged with treason also!
Rodney Hide’s contribution is online, as is Colin James.
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December 3rd, 2005 at 8:55 am
Peters has tried threatening the media, accusing them of treason now he might try the charm offensive. Peters is a creation of the media, they have pandered to him for years. Looks like they have now finished with him and he will be torn from limb to limb, selling newsprint ad-space, and advertising airtime all the way.
Vote:December 3rd, 2005 at 11:58 am
A snapshot:
David Henry (chief electoral officer) – heavy and statistics, but interesting
Colin James (political commentator) – not his best, but still good and informative
Steve Maharey (labour) – I was dizzy due to all his spin. Prehaps the best feel good speech, but nothing actually said, no ‘Labour did this bad’ stuff at all
Steven Joyce (national) – better than Maharey, more honest, but still didn’t really say much
Damian Edwards (nz First) – may lose his job he was so honest
Russel Norman (greens) – dressed like a pimp. Good speech, reasonably honest. Wouldn’t pick him as a co-leader designate on that speech though
Peter Dunne (UF) – angry angry angry. Might be about to kill someone
Grant Gillon (Progressives) – can’t recall much. boring. just like the party.
Raymond Miller (Auckland uni.) – good speech. interesting points. well worth buying his book(s). Intelligent thinker.
Kathryn Ryan (Nat. Radio) – just said what happened in the campaign. No insight
Claire Robinson (Massey) – good presentation with videos. Interesting stuff on how each party does their opening addresses and advertising (National always uses the family of the leader a lot; Labour has traditional had Helen with people [but not in 2005]; Peter Dunne in his office and with focus on the blinds in the office [why?]; Winston on classical home furniture; etc etc)
Chris Rudd (Otago uni) – good. Labour had heaps of ads in newspapers, National only had candiate purchased ones no centralised ones. Informative, but not a highlight
Pita Sharples (Maori Party) – long, boring, random thoughts. Should write down speeches then give them. Had to have Shane Jones tell him to finish his speech
Shane Jones (Labour) – interesting, but added little new information
Maria Bargh (VUW Maori studies) – only speech a couldn’t stay with the whole time. Radical academic.
Giselle Byrnes (VUW History) – interesting look at the treaty in the campaign and how each party used it in messages
Stephen Levine and Nigel S. Roberts (VUW) – v. good. Informative, with survey results which show Labour voters wanted to go with the Greens and not NZ First. Well worth while reading their chapter in the upcoming book
Jonathan Boston (VUW School of Govt.) – Good on government formation. Obvious he doesn’t like the role Winston and Dunne have of being outside of Cabinet. Good on why its stupid
Therese Arseneau (Canterbury) – the summary speaker. Very good for off-the-cuff. She didn’t “suck” (she’ll get the reference!). Interesting to hear about some predictions.
A good conference all up
Vote:December 3rd, 2005 at 12:42 pm
Thanks Greg – I found that summary useful.
Vote:December 3rd, 2005 at 1:11 pm
What is happening to Dunny. He went up like a suffle` due to a worm on a television prograame, allowed himself to be the vehicle for Labour’s liberal agenda, lost a real opportunity to make a difference. Won’t happen again sorry dunny you are headed for the knackers yard. Gets all chummy with National when he thinks he needs to hold his NAtional seat and then goes off and shafts the National Party when he has it in the bag.
Vote:December 3rd, 2005 at 2:37 pm
“Grant Gillon (Progressives) – can’t recall much. boring. just like the party.”
He didn’t talk about the 80′s did he ?
Vote:December 3rd, 2005 at 10:18 pm
I must admit to being sad at the recent performances of Peter Dunne. I had hope for he and his party once, and then Helen happened along……
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