Transtasman Political Letter – 14 July Digest

Trans Tasman July 14, 2005

Terrorist bombs in London give a new meaning to (Under) Ground Zero

..NZ by contrast is a haven of tranquillity, except for stroppy politicians
..Winston Peters names his date, and promises NZ more than three fingers, this time
..Zimbabwe, the cricketers, and Henry Olonga are giving the Greens a dream run in the headlines, but will it add up to votes?
..Don Brash offers veterans a gold card, but will his colleagues give him a yellow card if he keeps tripping himself up on the campaign trail
..Pete Hodgson detects a "slight" change of mood out there.

Government Runs The Long Game

The Govt believes it has stabilised its slide in popular support, and silenced the "man-the-lifeboats" cries, which were endangering its grip on power (though polls due out this weekend will offer firmer insights into current political trends)

Battle For The Retirement Villagers

Labour's Pete Hodgson says the party has detected a "slight mood change" in the electorate. That comes from its focus group polling, and according to Hodgson, a mood change precedes a poll change. Labour's theme this week has been the elderly, and it has been hammering the message the over-60s are better off under Labour.

Child Care A "Swing" Issue for Key Voters

National has found a tender spot in Labour's policy on child-care, by offering a rebate on pre-school child care costs. Education Minister Trevor Mallard reacted so vigorously to National's policy it is clear Labour fears it will lose a block of "swing" votes.

Hide's Political Acumen Questioned

The failure of ACT to score better in political polls is bringing Rodney Hide's political acumen into disrepute. Experienced politicians blame his preference for publicising potential scandals here, there and every where. They say if he had focussed the party on presenting key tax messages it would have been in better electoral shape for the campaign ahead.

CAPITAL TALK

The NZ Govt hasn't made a call on who it will back as the next director-general of the "rich man's club", the OECD. Bit surprising, really, when NZ already has a highly qualified candidate working at the Paris-based organization in former National Minister Simon Upton....

PLAY OF THE WEEK

The Pre-Election Guide To The Parties

Greens - Basically Marxists, but Marxists who like bicycles and trains and cute fluffy animals. Believe oil is about to run out. Opposed to all foreigners who are not members of Greenpeace.

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