John Key's 'whatever it takes' ethos
By TRACY WATKINS - The Dominion PostEvery now and then we are reminded that John Key is not a typical politician.
That was reinforced yesterday.
After copping some stick for the last week or so over the news vacuum at his weekly post-Cabinet press conferences, Key started yesterday's with a lengthy list of Cabinet discussions and upcoming announcements, where in previous weeks there had been none. That he responded to the criticism in such an unabashed manner is telling.
After 30-odd years in the game, Helen Clark would never have made such a concession. She viewed everything through the prism of strength and weakness; such a visible about-turn would have been seen through her eyes as a back down and a sign of weakness. Which is not to say she wouldn't have arrived at the same point as Key - but she would have done so in a far more managed fashion. (And of course, Clark wouldn't have had to in this case because she always launched into her weekly press conferences with a fulsome list of what she and her minister's were up to.)
But there is something refreshing all the same about a prime minister who doesn't bother too much with the ins and outs of how their opponents might play their latest move. Key might come unstuck over it now and then. But it suits his "whatever it takes" ethos down to a T.
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OMG Murray, this Worth business must be eating you up inside!...Key does not have to give a reason, what part of that do you not understand?
I do not understand that in a democracy, despite what might be included in some manual which covers issues like cabinet reshuffles, that a minister is able to be given an ultimatum to resign and given the suggestion that he examine his remaining a member of parliament (and he subsequently does withdraw from politics) without there being a comprehensive explanation to the public.
To my mind, such incidence does not appear consistent with traditional prime ministerial practice.
I think such incidents of seemingly covert sackings are repugnant to democratic process.
What do you not understand about the matter being questionable as it has been raised in the House by Members who, despite your estimations, eddie(#2) are not totally foolish?
Again Murray...
"Key does not have to give a reason, what part of that do you not understand?"
Get over it!!
You must lead a very sad sad life Murray if this is a priority for you!
Eddie #4 - Eddie don't waste your time on Murray. All the Labourers are sitting around, doing nothing, waiting for some news bits to come out about Richard Worth. Their view is that Worth affair would be damaging to this Government. It will take another 3-4 opinion polls to realise that there is not even a scratch. Let them have their day in the sun.
Do not worry yourself about my life and state of happiness, eddie(#4).
Just confine yourself to an appraisal of my comments, and if you think they are worthless opinion then just ignore them - even the dull and the ignorant; they too have their story.
You are a typical Right-winger - you want to get all personal about opposition as soon as you are able. You do not want there to be an opposition. Democracy has more at risk from the Right than from the Left (and Helen Clark tolerated extremes of personal insult); I am quite convinced of that.
As for Cullen's Sidekick; I usually just ignore the comments under this penname because I regard them as being a lot of puerile, contemptuos name-calling etc. - again something which is typical of Right-wing bloggers.
I recently had a heated discussion with a politically/socially conservative relative about the smacking debate.
"Do you know Sue Bradford was this and Sue Bradford was that and Sue Bradford's children were this and Sue Bradford's children were that?" she started saying to me.
I replied, "I do not know very much about either Sue Bradford or her children. She is a politician who has put her name to certain legislation initiated by the Green Party, and my attention is directed at the legislation".
Fair comparison?
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Interesting?
Perchance, did he say why he "sacked" Richard Worth?
Because that is the question all those who are not mistaken and who think it was Phil Goff who "sacked" Worth have been asking.
I must agree that PM John Key cannot do other than learn and gain experience. And he has so recently come from the corporate world of management where you tell them nothing and take them nowhere.