The “B” word
August 2nd, 2008 at 1:38 pm by David FarrarOh dear. Bob Clarkson goes out as he came in – saying things he shouldn’t.
They had just before lunch the farewells for the five retiring MPs. And each of those there (Connell wasn’t attending) said some brief words of thanks. Bob concluded his thanks by saying “Oh and Judy won’t like me saying this, but I also want to thank the 150 Brethren who helped my campaign”.
God it was hilarious. After a moment of stunned silence, everyone burst into laughter (especially on the media table) as it was classic Bob. Well, not quite everyone was laughing – the top stage did resemble a collection of statues 
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August 2nd, 2008 at 2:02 pm
Don’t worry about it. Winston has his one thousand Elusive Breeders.
Vote:August 2nd, 2008 at 2:08 pm
Good on Bob.
I can just imagine the head table sitting there like stunned Mullets, this is what happens when you do not fight fire with fire, the Nat’s have allowed the low life pinko’s to set the political agenda and as such they are always having to defend their actions.
In some ways it serves them right, if they had balls they would just tell the pinko’s to fuck off.
Vote:August 2nd, 2008 at 2:11 pm
So was Bob joking or what?
NZPA thinks he was being serious and have a made a major story out of it.
Either way, the EBs are free top support who they want.
[DPF: Bob may have exaggerated the numbers but I am sure he had EBs helping out. Almost every electorate did. You have to understand that no-one at an electorate level knew about their pamphlet campaign. We just knew that we had some nice people from an unusual religious group offering to help deliver pamphlets etc. And you don't tend to turn down offers of help, unless there is a good reason. We had some helping out in Wgtn Central also - they were lovely people.
Of course it is different in 2008. Their activities since 05, such as hiring private detectives, have made them undesirable to accept help from - and as far as I know no electorate has been offered assistance this time anyway]
Vote:August 2nd, 2008 at 2:27 pm
I understand that Kirk passed on Connell’s heartfelt thanks for everything the party had done for him. Did you see whether she kept a straight face, DPF?
[DPF: Yes, she did it remarkably well. I would have been unable to keep a straight face!]
Vote:August 2nd, 2008 at 2:39 pm
What a complete tool. I’ve always thought he was quite well intentioned, but this underlines why it’s so damn good to see him leave. Winston or others will now grab on to this, and suggest there was something to their claims of overspending, and that their efforts should have had a value put on them, even though that’s fatuous. Knowing the media I wouldn’t be surprised if Clarkson has just delivered another unwanted sidetrack for National. Stupid old git.
Vote:August 2nd, 2008 at 2:51 pm
Not all Bretheren are of the Exclusive variety. I know stacks of the Open variety.
Vote:August 2nd, 2008 at 2:59 pm
I think Clarkson is great. He is totally unaffected, he is the real McCoy. I think he knew exactly what he was doing. The top table and media should lighten up.
Ask yourself this: would you trust this man with your purse? It’s been a long time since one can say that about the MP for Tauranga.
Vote:August 2nd, 2008 at 3:34 pm
Well, the VDS went to town on Key’s male PM/Rugby World Cup remark and boiled that down to the ‘dogwhistling of a sexist bigot’, so I eagerly anticipate the multiple-orgasms that Bob’s remark will cause.
Vote:August 2nd, 2008 at 3:48 pm
BB, CD spot on.
The Brethren should never have been a controversy. If Brash had had any balls to go with some political sense he would have batted the whole thing away by telling the Greens and Labour to get over themselves. It was his fluffing around that gave it legs. If he had pointed out that the pamphlets publicised Green party policy and should be added to the Green party spend then it would likely have gone away very quickly.
This is my major worry of a Nat led govt. With Clark Cullen Mallard continually going feral on them in opposition I fear they do not have the nous (courage) to deal with it. In some ways they could take a leaf out of Winston’s book.
Vote:August 2nd, 2008 at 3:54 pm
Will Clark and Cullen be around in opposition? I’m hoping both of them take a hike, in Norway somewhere.
Vote:August 2nd, 2008 at 4:36 pm
Well Clarkson doesn’t have anything to lose now, sounds pretty funny.
radvad, I think it was more the ‘smoking gun’ email that gave it the most legs .
Vote:August 2nd, 2008 at 6:34 pm
big bruv (1166) +7 Says:
August 2nd, 2008 at 2:08 pm
Good on Bob.
“I can just imagine the head table sitting there like stunned Mullets, this is what happens when you do not fight fire with fire, the Nat’s have allowed the low life pinko’s to set the political agenda and as such they are always having to defend their actions.
In some ways it serves them right, if they had balls they would just tell the pinko’s to fuck off.”
Chris Diack (304) +4 Says:
August 2nd, 2008 at 2:59 pm
“I think Clarkson is great. He is totally unaffected, he is the real McCoy. I think he knew exactly what he was doing. The top table and media should lighten up”
radvad (207) +3 Says:
August 2nd, 2008 at 3:48 pm
BB, CD spot on.
“The Brethren should never have been a controversy. If Brash had had any balls to go with some political sense he would have batted the whole thing away by telling the Greens and Labour to get over themselves. It was his fluffing around that gave it legs. If he had pointed out that the pamphlets publicised Green party policy and should be added to the Green party spend then it would likely have gone away very quickly…….”
HEAR, HEAR, to you three wise men.
DPF, you are a disgrace. Go back to your Horowitz, and see what the Left has done to YOU and the National Party re the Exclusive Brethren, and how you SHOULD have handled the whole disgraceful saga. Hint: NOT by throwing Don Brash, and the “21st Century Kiwi Jews” to the wolves. As Big bruv says, the fallout for the Nats serves them right. But it’s OK by you, is it, DPF, for the “21st Century Kiwi Jews” to be pariahs, no member of the EB’s able to see any MP’s, through those MP’s fear of media beat-ups, or get any of THEIR concerns taken note of by anyone? Have you ANY IDEA of what you are saying?
BAARRRFFFFF.
Vote:August 2nd, 2008 at 6:45 pm
Thanks DPF for confirming that Judy Kirk was able to keep a straight face whilst conveying Connell’s heartfelt thanks for everything the party had done for him. She’s gone up in my estimation.
Could you also confirm whether, when Bill English stressed how, “we can afford to protect the vulnerable and maintain vital social services”, Stephen Franks clapped?
Vote:August 2nd, 2008 at 9:32 pm
Radvad – exactly! This should not have been an issue fullstop. What the EB did was legal and is no different from what other organisations do for Labour every election. National did the EB a huge disservice by hanging them out to dry and allowing Labour to demonise them as a cult, all the this “sin” of not supporting Labour.
We should be looking at all the shady groups giving money and supporting Labour, I think you’ll find some real gems in there, and I am not including the nasty/underhanded methods used by the unions either
Vote:August 2nd, 2008 at 10:22 pm
“Will Clark and Cullen be around in opposition? I’m hoping both of them take a hike, in Norway somewhere.”
Good q and something I haven’t contemplated in the overall picture.
As always in NZ politics, if you don’t perform to the stake holders levels, you get shafted.
I can’t see these two being treated any diferently.
I belive Goff will take over, and I don’t begrudge that, he deserves the leadership. But lets keep him in opposition for a long while. shortly before his retirement would be sufficient. Although some of these politicians look like staying in the house till 71.
Vote:August 2nd, 2008 at 10:47 pm
Expat @ 3.45 pm, I have just had a holiday in Norway. Norway is too good for them.
Vote:August 2nd, 2008 at 11:50 pm
Excellent Post Philbest,
Although I wouldn’t quite call DPF a disgrace I fail to see how the National have got so scared of the EB, they are treated with such scathing contempt and disrespect you would think they were gun running muslim terrorists that infiltrate the government to convert the people into suicide bombers.
They obviously still have to wear yellow stars anyway near the Govt and they have been called the Christian version of the Taleban by a Labour cabinet minister.
And they still have to wear yellow stars when anywhere National Party offices or MPs just in case they might stray near them or dare to speak to them.(except Bob Clarkson)
I would say that National should be talking to them, they probably have a whole lot more good ideas and if it wasn’t for the EB’s we wouldn’t have the EFA which is the biggest gift that National have been given in about 10 years to push them clearly over the line and on their own without that philandering charlatan Winnie.
The EBs are the complete opposite to the terrorist/extremeist in fact it seems as if they decided that they needed to lawfully act to protect the decline of our nation into socialism and communism -
- and they alone had the guts to do something about it – and WITH WHAT?
Their own money – or stolen (pledgecard) money (Labour)or illicitly donated money(NZ First)
Imagine if the local young farmers club in Balclutha came up to Bill English and offered to help with some pamphlet drops or whatever- would he refuse them because of their religion (farming)?
What happens if the local Asian Christian church in Helensville came up to JK and offered similarly would he refuse them because of their religion(christian)?
What if the local young unionists group in Napier came up to Russell Fairbrother and offered to help would he refuse them because their religion is (unionism)?
Vote:August 3rd, 2008 at 4:27 am
perhaps Key should publically meet with representatives of the ‘major’ faiths in modern (yes, modern) New Zealand, and include the EB in his invitation. And if Clark Maharey,Cullen etc get nasty publicise it for the derision it deserves, rather than being complicit in the state-bully-boy tactics they seem cowed by.
Vote:After all nobody likes a bully.
August 3rd, 2008 at 7:14 am
Yes polemic, the EB’s are members of NZ society and should be treated like any other.
Vote:The left, always self-claiming they are for equal rights and treatment for all, whether they are black/white, male/female, gay/lesbian or whatever, show their true colours in their utter venom towards the Brethren.
Their flexibly applied principles are soon cast aside if they can make political gain from them, in other words, they have no real principles at all.
August 3rd, 2008 at 8:04 am
Indeed Stayathomemum. Good points. Labour are only interested in their own constituents, and bugger all the rest – in more ways than one!
Vote:August 3rd, 2008 at 10:17 am
Bob Clarkson is always good for a laugh. An asset to the National party that will be sorely missed.
Just another victim of Hels dream for New Zealand “Dare to be lame” campaign.
Vote: