Danyl gets it wrong

April 26th, 2011 at 9:00 am by David Farrar

Been meaning to comment on this post by Danyl at Dim Post for a while, as I would hate anyone to think Danyl is actually correct with his assertion than I regularly con and play journalists – something insulting to me as much as to them. First of all let’s take the article which prompted his post – a profile of Grant Robertson in the Herald quoting me saying:

Kiwiblogger and right-wing commentator David Farrar believes Robertson will be at the forefront of a leadership challenge within the next two terms . . .

Now in Danyl’s world, my comments were part of a cunning plot by National to undermine Phil Goff, and not my honest belief. He should have checked the timing of when I made the comments, and what I actually said.

When Phil Goff did his reshuffle in early Feb I said:

The Robertson move is the best part of the reshuffle. Tony Ryall will have a more challenging time with Grant against him. Health is traditionally a strong area for Labour, and the fact they have performed so dismally in this area has to change, for them to be competitive. It also marks the high regard Robertson is held in, to get it in just two years. He is a future Labour Prime Minister in my opinion.

The next day I blogged:

I’ve long said that I think Grant will become Labour Leader, and indeed probably even a Labour Prime Minister.

I don’t think he will be the next leader, but the one after that. He is young enough to be able to wait his time.

So my initial blogs were praising Goff for Robertson’s promotion, and explicitly saying that I do not think he will be the next leader but maybe the one after that. Several times I have said that I do not think Grant would be a contender until after 2014 election.

It was shortly after that the Herald rang me as they were doing a profile on Grant, and wanted my comments on why I rate him. Now this was in early to mid February – weeks before the Darren Hughes affair occured and before there was any talk at all of a challenge to Goff.

So Danyl has it 100% wrong when he insinuates that my comments were designed to undermine Goff, and that I conned Derek into running them. Goff’s leadership was not an issue when I made my comments and further more I explicitly said that Grant would not be the next leader.

This is unless Danyl thinks I knew in advance that Darren Hughes would go home with an 18 year old who would flee naked from his home, and that Goff would take no action over it, hence creating leadership speculation.

The other thing Danyl doesn’t realise is that far from my praise of Grant being a cunning National Party plot, it generally results in a flurry of angry phone calls and e-mails from National Party people. I am a member of Wellington Central National Party, a former campaign chair for the seat, and a mate of the just selected candidate. Let me assure you that local Nats get very unhappy when I say good things about Grant. And so do a few Nats at 1 Molesworth Street.

Danyl’s fantasy of this all being some cunning plan of the 9th floor is hilarious, if he could tap my phone. I get some seriously pissed off people calling.

The only thing that makes up for the hostility my comments on Grant’s abilities generate for me from Nats, is the knowledge that they probably generate equally hostile comments to Grant from his Labour activists

So having dealt with the specific, let’s turn to the more general:

Describing DPF as ‘Kiwiblogger and right-wing commentator’ is an improvement on outlets like TV3 and NewsTalkZB that just describe him as ‘blogger and commentator’ but it does elide his most significant role in the political process namely that he’s THE NATIONAL PARTY POLLSTER. Quoting him in a story about an opposition MP is a little like citing ‘former TVNZ journalist Fran Mold’ or ‘astute political observer Kevin Taylor’. (There is a slight difference, in that they’re directly employed by their parties, while DPF is the director of a company that the National Party contracts.)

I have disclosed on my blog my extensive background with National, and this is pretty well known. But that does not mean I am an uncritical supporter or obliged to say things only helpful to National. I compare it to sports. National is the team I support, and I want my team to win. But that doesn’t mean I won’t criticise the coach, captan and players when they stuff up. And it doesn’t mean I won’t praise other teams when they perform well.

As for the fact that National may have a relationship with Curia. Well off hand I would say that most of the organisations Curia has done work for, I have also criticised at some stage on my blog. Any relationship Curia has with National didn’t stop me doing the post the week before last criticising the Government on use of urgency. That post resulted in numerous critical news stories, and a NZ Herald editorial. I also did around five radio and one TV interview repeating my views.

Yes it is difficult criticising people or organisations you have relationships with. But it is hardly something new to me. In my roles with InternetNZ I had a good working relationship with David Cunliffe who was ICT Minister. And in the last few weeks I’ve actually had a number of meetings with Labour, Green and ACT MPs, where I’ve encouraged them to pressure the Government to make some changes to its telecommunications legislation. Again, it doesn’t always generate undying gratitude from within National.

DPF is the most successful at getting journalists to accept him as an independent and trustworthy commentator, presumably because he’s so genial and likeable and, unassuming.

I don’t believe journalists ask me for comment because I am genial or likeable (and many would dispute that). I assume it it because I give intelligent analysis, and am willing to praise the “other team” and criticise my own team.

Danyl seems to think my blog was invented by National as a cunning social media tool. In fact I’ve been debating politics online since 1996 – because I enjoy it. I did this through Usenet from 1996 to 2003 and then discovered blogs and after gettign addicted to reading them set up my own. This was not done at the request of National, or even with their support, permission or knowledge. I just did it. And in fact in its first year of operations, there was at least one caucus meeting where a number of National MPs complained about things I said on it and asked if the then leadership could stop me blogging.

No one likes to think they’ve been played by the penguin, even though he repeatedly plays many political journalists for suckers on a regular basis.

Again I find this really insulting (apart from Danyl trying to emulate Trevor Mallard with use of an insulting nickname) - to both sides. He presumably think all the journalists except his wife are really stupid, and that I not only know they are stupid but take advantage of their stupidity to con and play them. That is not how I regard journalists, and Danyl is attributing motives quite maliciously.

It is very very rarely that I will ring a journalist up to push a story – maybe once every six months if even that. And if journalists ring me up, I give them my opinion. Absolutely that is from someone with a pro-National world-view, but that is known.

At the risk of being immodest, I would suggest the reason some journalists do call me and ask for my views and analysis, is because I used to talk candidly to them in the days before blogging. I was never a press secretary but during my eight years in Parliament I had strong relationships with many in the gallery – and I often chatted off the record to them on my take of how things are going. I wouldn’t betray professional confidences, but I would happily admit over a beer that National had terribly fucked up that week. I was rather proud of the fact that when then TVNZ Political Editor Linda Clark retired from the gallery, that I was the only 9th floor staffer to attend her farewell (as she was under a fatwa from the then PM). That was not because I was genial or likeable, but because I would never ever bullshit her and would always talk to her (even if sometimes all I could say is I can’t comment).

This seems a very lengthy and some would say “thou protest too much” response to Danyl’s blog post. And it possibly is. But Danyl is now the most read and I would say powerful left wing blog, so I respond to stuff he says which I wouldn’t on other blogs. Also it is useful to get this out there, so it can be referred to in future.

Tags: Dim-Post, DPF, Media

This entry was posted on Tuesday, April 26th, 2011 at 9:00 am and is filed under DPF, NZ Politics. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.

28 Responses to “Danyl gets it wrong”

Sonny Blount (1,753) Says:
April 26th, 2011 at 9:14 am
Correction needed?

I did this through Usenet from 1996 to 2003 and then discovered blogs and after gettign addicted to reading them set up my own. This was done at the request of National

[DPF: ta: corrected]
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Linda Reid (362) Says:
April 26th, 2011 at 9:49 am
I assume you have some evidence Sonny? Or are you just making that up?
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Ryan Sproull (5,542) Says:
April 26th, 2011 at 9:52 am
The only thing that makes up for the hostility my comments on Grant’s abilities generate for me from Nats, is the knowledge that they probably generate equally hostile comments to Grant from his Labour activists

A proper conspiracy theorist would suggest that you were intentionally undermining Robertson, not Goff, with your poisoned chalice.

Imagine if The Standard started praising Don Brash’s qualities. That’d be worth full-on money to Hide.
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queenstfarmer (411) Says:
April 26th, 2011 at 9:55 am
Linda he was quoting a typo in the original post (now corrected)
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labrator (1,326) Says:
April 26th, 2011 at 9:56 am
@Linda, sonny is saying that that is the sentence that needs correcting, not that this is what it should say.

Thanks for hosting the blog DPF, it’s much appreciated and your honest and transparency is a huge credit to yourself.
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Say Goodbye to Hollywood (541) Says:
April 26th, 2011 at 10:00 am
This is what I like about Kiwi Blog, in that David you do try to offer a balanced view. National need to remember that they have made some bad decisions during their first term and need to be held accountable. I find blogs like Red Alert or the Standard are very much if we don’t like your message then you’re banned or censored. In fact I don’t even consider The Standard a blog, more a bunch very angry people with a huge chip on their shoulder.
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Ryan Sproull (5,542) Says:
April 26th, 2011 at 10:00 am
Again just musing, but consider these two options.

1. DPF never says anything bad about National, never says anything good about Labour, and toes the National party line at all times.
2. DPF occasionally criticises National, occasionally praises Labour, and expresses occasional opinions outside of the (official, current) National party line.

Which of those two hypothetical blogs would be more effective as a tool for swaying opinion in National’s favour, and getting out messages the National Party wants to promote?

[DPF: I agree you have more credibility if you criticise your own team. But that is not why I do it. It's fairly simple - I just say what I believe. 80% - 90% of the time I agree with the Govt - no surprise as I am centre right and they are polling at 57%]
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Rob Hosking (68) Says:
April 26th, 2011 at 10:04 am
“But Danyl is now the most read and I would say powerful left wing blog..”

BEcause he’s so genial and likable and unassuming. See? It works.
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ephemera (563) Says:
April 26th, 2011 at 10:04 am
DPF: You’re overqualifying yourself.

People who follow this blog already have an opinion. Those who don’t, probably haven’t heard of you, so don’t care.
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YesWeDid (883) Says:
April 26th, 2011 at 10:06 am
I’ve read and re-read Danyl post and fail to see how it is an attack on DPF*

He is attacking lazy journalists who quote DPF (and others) when there are other more impartial sources available.

(*Unless, of course DPF doesn’t like being called a ‘penguin’)

[DPF: I don't care how journalists describe me. But Danyl said I regularly play journalists for suckers, That is an attack on me, and absolutely untrue]
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Sam (488) Says:
April 26th, 2011 at 10:13 am
“But Danyl is now the most read and I would say powerful left wing blog..”

Interesting then, that the most powerful left wing blog seems intend on destroying the labour party as we know it. this isn’t a criticism of DimPost btw, just pointing out the discrepancy between the left wing of politics and that which goes under the name of the labour party (i.e. – I am entirely sympathetic with Danyl on this one).

Nevertheless, Danyl’s post is an attack on DPF’s motives and modus operandi, no matter how you look at it. i’m inclined to disagree with Danyl there, invoking Hanlon’s razor: “Never attribute to malice that which is adequately explained by stupidity”.

PS the stupidity is that of the reporters, not dpf I hasten to add
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DT (102) Says:
April 26th, 2011 at 10:18 am
“This was done at the request of National, or even with their support, permission or knowledge.”

I reckon you forgot a “not” in there DPF!!!
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Psycho Milt (1,348) Says:
April 26th, 2011 at 10:24 am
Your point seems to be that there’s no need for lazy journos to point out National is your “team” when publishing your comments about Labour, because you’re such a fair-minded and honest character. However, they should point out that highly relevant fact regardless of the merits or otherwise of your character, and that they’re not doing so is the basis for Danyl’s post. If the journos aren’t stupid or lazy, what explains their negligence? If not that they’re being played?

(NB: Like Sam above, I don’t actually have a problem with stupidity and laziness as an explanation of the phenomenon.)

[DPF: No. Not once did I say journalists shouldn't describe me in a particular way. I have little say in how journalists describe me, and generally don't care.]
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Trevor Mallard (245) Says:
April 26th, 2011 at 10:30 am
DPF. The penguin term is one of endearment given to you by Cactus Kate and the Whale. I have never claimed it as original. I’m surprised that you are so sensitive given the way so many others are described in your posts and comments.

[DPF: from Cactus and Whale it is a term of endearment. From you it is not.

And I doubt I have often called Labour MPs nicknames on my blogs. As much as possible I try to criticise actions, not people.]
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Inventory2 (8,804) Says:
April 26th, 2011 at 10:42 am
@ DPF – surely the term of endearment of The Penguin was nothing more than Cactus and WhaleOil fomenting happy mischief …
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magic bullet (776) Says:
April 26th, 2011 at 10:47 am
Are you a member of an occult organisation though DPF? Yes or no?

These are most important in the world of rightist politics, because they provide invisible coordination which means that the left have no object to attack, only the symptoms of its activities. That makes it hard to get traction on the issues, and puts democratic left organisations such as the unions at a disadvantage. So it’s important that we should know.

[DPF: The answer is No, unless my appreciation of Harry Potter novels counts]
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Bed Rater (239) Says:
April 26th, 2011 at 10:50 am
It would be interesting to see a response from DPF on the actual issue raised in Danyl’s original post, clarified further in his (Danyl’s) response to this post.

[DPF: As I have said many times I don't care how journalists describe me. I don't get to decide that. I just think there should be consistency.

I've spent a year debating politics with John Pagani, and never in that time was he introduced as being Phil Goff's communications manager. Only since he left has he been described as a former staffer.

I have no objection to my affiliations being reported. That's why I fucking list them all. I'd also find it useful if Chris Laidlaw is reported as a former Labour MP, Denis Welch as a former Alliance candidate, Brian Edwards as a media trainer for Labour etc etc.

What I objected to was Danyl's characterisation of my motives. His phrasing of me as conning them was malicious]
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MrTips (120) Says:
April 26th, 2011 at 10:54 am
But Danyl is now the most read and I would say powerful left wing blog,….

Geez, I knew things were bad for talent in the Labour party and on the left side of political spectrum, but if the above statement is true, then they are seriously in the crap.
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scrubone (2,309) Says:
April 26th, 2011 at 10:55 am
Reading all this I’ve just realised – Danyl is part of the conspiracy!

I mean, could someone on the left *really* write a funny blog that criticise the Labour party occasionally? Clearly his post was just there to create more mystique about this blog.

I’m still fleshing out my theory, but I see signs of Vatican involvement here – and has anyone seen DPF’s birth certificate and compared it to Danyl’s? I mean, do we really know that Danyl was not born in Hawaii?

All very suspicious.
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Sam (488) Says:
April 26th, 2011 at 11:33 am
Danyl is dpf, or Jesus, I forget which…
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3-coil (1,145) Says:
April 26th, 2011 at 11:39 am
Who is Danyl’s journalist wife?
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s.russell (1,291) Says:
April 26th, 2011 at 11:53 am
Speaking of being quoted…
Yesterday DPF did a post on The Southland Times’ story about Ashish Macwan being charged over the death of his son when his van rolled into Lake Dunstan.
Today, The Southland Times has a story (not online, alas) about the post on Kiwiblog, which quotes DPF and several other posters.
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Pete George (17,596) Says:
April 26th, 2011 at 1:02 pm
http://www.stuff.co.nz/southland-times/news/4927070/Debate-continues-over-lake-death
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David Farrar (1,739) Says:
April 26th, 2011 at 1:28 pm
Kiwiblog – all powerful in Southland
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magic bullet (776) Says:
April 26th, 2011 at 3:44 pm
“DPF: The answer is No, unless my appreciation of Harry Potter novels counts”

You do realise that you could be much more powerful belonging to an occult organisation? They tend to promote each within and between organisations. The most powerful rightists in the US usually belong to some such organisation. I’m surprised that you haven’t clicked on to this yet.
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Nick R (362) Says:
April 26th, 2011 at 6:15 pm
Thou doth indeed protest too much.

I think you just have to accept the fact that many will always suspect that you have a role as an occasional unofficial media outlet for the National Party (I have put that as neutrally as I can). Bearing in mind your history, and how you earn your livelihood, you are basically stuck with that, IMHO. But so what? You are still an entertaining and provocative blogger and your posts are no less valid for that. Blogging isn’t journalism, after all.

For what it’s worth I think Danyl’s main target was lazy journalists rather than commentators.
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NX (595) Says:
April 27th, 2011 at 5:12 pm
DPF:

But Danyl is now the most read and I would say powerful left wing blog

I always assumed it was ‘The Standard’.

Good post DPF – your transparency & straightforwardness is probably one of your greatest assets in the blogging world and helps to protect you from attacks from the left which usually, if not always, centre on some conspiracy theory.
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expat (3,979) Says:
April 27th, 2011 at 5:52 pm
“Danyl is now the most read and I would say powerful left wing blog”

Which is probably why all the slightly more intelligent commie trolls from Duh Stundurd are crawling all over it like a rash; crawling all over it during public service working hours I might add.

IMHO the anti-penguin/doctor evil Farrar meme has taken off since

1) the National Radio restructuring has been tipped
2) Labour have imploded and the commie trolls have infested the DimPost

and some other stuff that’s a bit below the belt to bring up.
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Danyl gets it wrong

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