From the Hood : The Campaign Strategist’s Lament
A National Party Spin Doctor Writes
Columns
Gordon Campbell on National’s Mickey Mouse policies on trade
According to Todd McClay the European Union says it wants to conclude a FTA with NZ by the end of 2019. That timetable sounds unbelievably optimistic.
Gordon Campbell on the politics of fear and neglect
This week, National leader Bill English is claiming that farmers could face a $50,000 cost increase from Labour’s water tax plans. Another phantom fear.
Gordon Campbell on the likely path of Hurricane Jacinda
So far, Labour’s tax plans have been treated like an incoming hurricane in the Caribbean – how big will it be, what path it take through the economy, how much damage will it do?
From the Hood : Policy Captcha
Do Politicians Dream of Electric Sheep?
Gordon Campbell On The Myth Of Conservative Economic Competence
This myth of conservative competence is as widespread as it is unearned
Gordon Campbell on National’s fake news onslaught
Can National succeed in lying its way into a fourth term of office? Given its entirely fictitious claims of a $11.7 billion hole in Labour’s alternative budget, it won’t be for lack of trying.
Gordon Campbell on the US public’s attitude to nuclear war
A recent MIT report suggests that the American public is far more tolerant of the mass killing of civilians than the media tend to assume.
Gordon Campbell on scrapping the legal rights of gang members
So, Police Minister Paula Bennett thinks some New Zealanders deserve “fewer human rights than others”
Notes on National’s Election Campaign, in Poem Form
Because English is nothing is not Shakespearean
Gordon Campbell on the funding crisis in the public health system
Much as Health Minister Jonathan Coleman may like to muddy the water, the crisis in our public health system is hardly the fault of the […]
Gordon Campbell on Winston Peters and MSD
Politicisation of state-gathered and state-managed information should be a concern to everyone.
Gordon Campbell on the Greens’ ongoing problems
Hard to treat the Greens’ belated decision to stand a candidate in Ohariu as being anything other than a desperation move
Gordon Campbell on DHB deficits and free trade
DHBs are under intense pressure to reduce deficits within a climate of chronic underfunding.
Gordon Campbell on the life and times of Peter Dunne
In the end, Mr Pragmatic calmly read the signs of impending defeat and went out on his own terms.
Gordon Campbell on Labour’s campaign launch
One of the key motifs of Ardern’s speech was her repeated use of the phrase – “ Now, what?”
Social Welfare, Explained
A farewell to welfare faring well.
Gordon Campbell on why Labour isn’t responsible for Barnaby Joyce
Evidently, the National government is similarly desperate for anything that might discredit or derail the Ardern juggernaut, even if that means throwing Peter Dunne under a bus.
Gordon Campbell on North Korea, neo-Nazism, and Milo
With a bit of luck the planet won’t be devastated by nuclear war in the next few days. US President Donald Trump will have begun […]
Gordon Campbell on the nation’s moral tizzy over Metiria Turei
Ever since George Washington confessed to chopping down the cherry tree, his example has been taken to heart by every politician following in his wake.
Gordon Campbell on National’s current inability to find its target
Early days yet, but the National Party seems to be having trouble in finding a credible line of attack on Jacinda Ardern.
Gordon Campbell on the Labour leadership change
A lot more than a change of leader is required, longer term. That will have to wait until next year, and beyond.
Gordon Campbell on Labour’s love, lost
To realistically hope to form a government, Labour needs to be punching around 30% at least, yet that figure looks like a truly distant hope.
Gordon Campbell on Act, the centre-right’s perennial ugly duckling
National has just endorsed Act leader David Seymour in Epsom, it being that time on the electoral calendar for the ceremonial anointing to take place once again.
Gordon Campbell on the real truth deficit in welfare
The most troubling thing about the current emphasis of government policy is that “success” seems to be judged entirely on whether people are being moved off benefits…
Gordon Campbell on the Bojo visit
British Foreign Minister Boris Johnson is in town today, just over a year since his political career peaked… and then wobbled off into a grey […]
Gordon Campbell on why Trump is a good thing
As candidate and President alike, Trump has been a bad salesman for the policies he espouses.
Gordon Campbell on the ch-ch-changes at IRD
Cutting jobs on the scale being flagged at IRD doesn’t make much sense, given that tax law and IRD investigations are set to become increasingly complex…
Gordon Campbell on the Greens’ room for political pragmatism
The Greens here are currently being criticized by the commentariat for not making the same kind of pragmatic choices that sunk the Australian Democrats.
Gordon Campbell on being humane about welfare, child support and tax
It made for an unusual Venn diagram, but Greens co-leader Metiria Turei and Finance Minister Steven Joyce were briefly sharing some common elements this week…