Nicky Hager had a major blockbusting scoop of the century: the National Party use consultants that help with election strategies. The great evil crime though is that these particular consultants have suggested gutter politics campaigns to others in the past.
So why is this so funny, oops, sorry, serious?
Firstly, the implication that Key will accept all of their advice unconditionally and without thought. Err, maybe he will, but maybe he wont. Try fielding some real examples based on today Nicky. Actually, Nicky does come out with one clear example. He mentions how if you can frame the debate from the outset, and drop in negative references, you can influence voter opinion quite strongly, in an unfair way. The clearest example seen so far in the 2008 election is Nicky Hager's own article which spends a lot of time bad mouthing Crosby/Textor and then suggesting Key *might* be using them for advice in the election, and therefore, the hapless voter has been manipulated into voting for National. Brilliant. Do you have shares in the "Hollow Men" or something Hager?
Secondly, that Labour are such naturals at gutter politics, that they don't actually need to hire any-one. At least, that's what I'm presuming because look at some of Labour's past efforts. One in particular springs to mind:
The Great Eviction Notice Scam 2005
In this election period, the Labour Party sent fake "eviction notices" to several thousand individual State house tenants as part of a housing policy promotion. This action had two consequences for the State Services. Firstly, it raised trust issues as tenants were suspicious that a government agency had given their private information to a political party, and, secondly, Housing New Zealand staff had to manage calls from worried and scared tenants.
Oh yes, a marvelous bit of gutter politics thought up by the Labour Cabinet, or perhaps even Helen Clark herself? Trying to scare state housing tenants into thinking National were arranging to evict them from their homes. Then there is the issue of how exactly Labour managed to get the mail list from the Dept of Housing. Another leaked email problem Nicky? Oh for a good investigative journalist...
So, will Labour come out and declare all ideas for gutter politics were entirely their own, given the left wing supporters like Hager seem to think retaining consultants to come up with election advertising strategies is a big negative?
Somehow, it's actually refreshing to think that what Labour do naturally in the field of gutter politics, National are forced to outsource.
--ZenTiger
Related Link: Who leaked the emails providing the eviction notice address list?
Related link: Hager Sings for His Supper
Related Links: Dirty Tricks Campaign already started - By Hager!
Declaration: I hope all political parties refrain from gutter politics this election - leave it to the blogs! Also, I am not a member of the National Party, have never voted for the National Party and based on current performance,are am not looking too likely for voting for the National Party this coming election.
So why is this so funny, oops, sorry, serious?
Firstly, the implication that Key will accept all of their advice unconditionally and without thought. Err, maybe he will, but maybe he wont. Try fielding some real examples based on today Nicky. Actually, Nicky does come out with one clear example. He mentions how if you can frame the debate from the outset, and drop in negative references, you can influence voter opinion quite strongly, in an unfair way. The clearest example seen so far in the 2008 election is Nicky Hager's own article which spends a lot of time bad mouthing Crosby/Textor and then suggesting Key *might* be using them for advice in the election, and therefore, the hapless voter has been manipulated into voting for National. Brilliant. Do you have shares in the "Hollow Men" or something Hager?
Secondly, that Labour are such naturals at gutter politics, that they don't actually need to hire any-one. At least, that's what I'm presuming because look at some of Labour's past efforts. One in particular springs to mind:
The Great Eviction Notice Scam 2005
In this election period, the Labour Party sent fake "eviction notices" to several thousand individual State house tenants as part of a housing policy promotion. This action had two consequences for the State Services. Firstly, it raised trust issues as tenants were suspicious that a government agency had given their private information to a political party, and, secondly, Housing New Zealand staff had to manage calls from worried and scared tenants.
Oh yes, a marvelous bit of gutter politics thought up by the Labour Cabinet, or perhaps even Helen Clark herself? Trying to scare state housing tenants into thinking National were arranging to evict them from their homes. Then there is the issue of how exactly Labour managed to get the mail list from the Dept of Housing. Another leaked email problem Nicky? Oh for a good investigative journalist...
So, will Labour come out and declare all ideas for gutter politics were entirely their own, given the left wing supporters like Hager seem to think retaining consultants to come up with election advertising strategies is a big negative?
Somehow, it's actually refreshing to think that what Labour do naturally in the field of gutter politics, National are forced to outsource.
--ZenTiger
Related Link: Who leaked the emails providing the eviction notice address list?
Related link: Hager Sings for His Supper
Related Links: Dirty Tricks Campaign already started - By Hager!
Declaration: I hope all political parties refrain from gutter politics this election - leave it to the blogs! Also, I am not a member of the National Party, have never voted for the National Party and based on current performance,
Couldn't have said it better myself, Zen. (Please change 'are not looking' to 'am not looking.' Makes you sound like an author at The Standard.)
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