Clark contradicts her own 9th floor spin
I blogged on Friday that the 9th floor was taking us for fools when they said:
A spokeswoman for Miss Clark said the pair would not pose together for media, and their lack of contact was “just what happened” and had not been planned.
Clark on ZB yesterday is reported as saying:
In another she was asked if she regretted avoiding being photographed with Mr Glenn at the opening of the new Auckland University Business School building last week.
“Firstly, I’m not going to give media the satisfaction of running around, getting snaps like that,” she said on Newstalk ZB. “I know what the whole agenda was.”
She argued that photographs that did come out of the appearance showed her going about her duties in a dignified manner, which was not what the media wanted to see.
So it was deliberate – which we knew anyway. So why did her spokesperson lie then?
The final paragraph is an excellent example of how badly the PM is out of touch, in a classic case of third termitis. Dignified is not what came about on Thursday. It was better than stand up comedy as you had Helen sitting all by herself on a bench as everyone else hongied Glenn, and Mallard acting as bodyguard to keep him away. If that is a dignified look to the PM, I’d hate to see undignified.
February 26th, 2008 at 9:21 am
I’m seeing floppy shoes, an orange afro wig and lots of primary colours.
February 26th, 2008 at 9:25 am
Once they start believing their own spin they are screwed. But that is what you get when you develop a cult of personality in a party. The only person to blame is Clark, if she was the saviour and messiah for all their “good deeds” then she is also the blame for all their upsets as well.
February 26th, 2008 at 9:32 am
Yes, the vid footage of her pretending to be busy reading her notes during the hongi was like an out-take of ”The Office’ – cringe-inducing humour.
I can’t help but feel that she is either surrounded by sychophants who are afraid to contradict her (plausible) or her ‘advice’ is deliberately seeking to rid the Party of her (kinda but dodgy, maybe plausible)
(ahem) ‘As an afterthought to this, of course, Labour Need to lose the election, because they need to exorcise Helen and Michael and thus re-invent themselves as the radical alternative. An election win would put this process back at least a couple of years while they were obliged to wait for Helen to resign.’
http://monkeyswithtypewriter.blogspot.com/
ps Craig what you are seeing is more bad taste than undignified. Me I’m seeing one of those funny cars driven by a bunch of clowns, which breaks down in a belch of smoke just before the doors explode and fly off. It’s a time-honoured comedic convention, occasionally borrowed by unwitting, tired political parties.
February 26th, 2008 at 9:35 am
Helen’s political survival is now truly going to be determined by polls over the next few months.
How long will the few Labour hardheads that still exist let this go on.
A long time with luck.
February 26th, 2008 at 9:46 am
The interview with Paul Holmes was Clark at her best – measured denial of everything that is increasingly obvious to everyone else. The avoidance of Owen Glenn was patently calculated, as the video on the NZ Herald site clearly shows. Clark seems to believe that she is ‘bigger than the game’, that it is all about her. Her response, to the Holmes question regarding her slump in the ‘preferred Prime Minister’ poll, was that her standing was linked to Labour’s similarly poor showing. She may need to consider that the Labour Party’s slump is tied to the public’s recognition of her self-delusional performance.
February 26th, 2008 at 10:08 am
It is a bit sad though. She had a chance to be a visionary, strong leader for New Zealand. She had all the right skills, the ambition and what happened to all of that? How will Helen Clark be remembered as a New Zealand leader?
February 26th, 2008 at 10:11 am
Speaking of Helen, it’s her 58th birthday today, and I have been charitable:
http://keepingstock.blogspot.com/2008/02/happy-birthday-helen.html
February 26th, 2008 at 10:16 am
Pascal
Perhaps it is a good thing that the population gets tired of constancy regardless of the colour of the ruling party. We need a dynasty (Cuba, North Korea anyone) like a hole in the head. Regular change and refurbishment is seemingly a necessary part of advancement.
February 26th, 2008 at 10:19 am
Oh my, the sneaky spin-doctors or the deceptive Prime Minister has been caught telling porkies again? What’s all the fuss about, as I thought it was standard procedure to bullshit a moronic public, who stay silent about MP’s only sitting on their spotty behinds in our highest court in the land for 61 days of the calendar year? I suppose they work harder than the facade supreme court, but who knows? Oh dear the Dame is at the races again!
MP’s are a disgrace and many wouldn’t work in an iron lung to save themselves. What a steaming pile of undignified horse shit ! Hey Trevor, who are we going to bash this year?
February 26th, 2008 at 10:24 am
Governments are like nappies, they need to be changed regularly and for the same reason.
This one is well past that time and the stench is putrid.
February 26th, 2008 at 11:04 am
“The spin is spun
on Owen’s biz
I wonder where
my voters is?”
February 26th, 2008 at 11:47 am
gerryandthepm said – she may need to consider that the Labour Party’s slump is tied to the public’s recognitian of her self-delusional performance.
I agree totally.
February 26th, 2008 at 12:42 pm
Sung to a possibly recognisable melody!
Happy Birthday to You,
It’s a bit of a stew,
You should have just hongied,
Ngati Whatua do!
Kind of put’s John Keys shot of a Hongi with Tame Iti in a whole new perspective doesn’t it! And if Helen Clark feels the need to put so much stock in show, what does that infer vis-a-vis substance?
February 26th, 2008 at 1:57 pm
Well now you can see why Ive taken to calling her Crazy the last 6 months She has taken on the persona of those Roman Emperors just before the end Surrounded by syncophants and incompetents all telling her that its not her fault Its the Press who are responsible for the polls and the loyal voters will see that she is the only Saviour and come polling day they will flock back to the Party.
And the of course wil come the dark mutters of plotters waiting in the wings and the bag carriers will start to work their evil magic.
As Ive said to others what we our election 08 and the US race students of politics are going to be spoilt fore choice
February 26th, 2008 at 2:35 pm
Owen Glen must feel like a prostitute, screwed then told to fuck off. The man must have rocks in his head if he continues to support these lossers.
February 26th, 2008 at 6:56 pm
Maybe she was trying to imitate Diana at the Taj Mahal.
Her political skills (used to be) outstanding – in terms of spin, manipulation, obfuscation and outright lies: e.g. studying papers at 150 KPH. Clark has always had one problem. She has never demonstrated any desire to sacrifice herself for the good of others. It’s not in her observable repertoire. All her political life she’s behaved as a selfish manipulator after one thing: her own self-aggrandisement. Nevertheless I too am sad, because it’s a shame to see such talent wasted when she could have achieved so much. However it was her choice, and IMO, she chose the wrong path.
February 26th, 2008 at 8:06 pm
I think we need the Mythbusters crew here (Discovery Channel)
It is confirmed, plausable, or busted.
Anyway whatever happens, they blow it up!!
Disapears into thin air