Weekend update
The weekend has been busy with the final phase of leafletting. In Dunedin North, a number of helpers and supporters have lent a hand . . . thanks again all. As a result we have managed to cover a large area on a tight budget.

Last Thursday I attended a small but well organized forum at the Knox Church focussing on social issues, which included an excellent lunch. The lunch was free and I noticed both the National and ACT candidates enjoying it, so don't believe them when they say there is no free lunch.

On Friday I had a bit of light entertainment at the Otago Polytech quiz night, which was being run as a fundraiser for the International Socialists. A good turnout and top marks to QuestionMeister Mark Baxter and Andrew Tait, who showed an unusual flair for showmanship during the prize raffles – perhaps the Selwyn Toogood of the new Left?

Today Sunday I attended a rather tame candidates "debate" at the University, organized by National Radio. The debate was actually between Kim Hill and each of the candidates . . . personally, I think she'd make an OK Prime Minister, and she certainly had the edge on any of the other contenders.

A brief rundown:

Brian Donnelly (NZ First): Winston Peters learned more from his mentor Muldoon than his politics. He also picked up the trait of surrounding yourself with grey characters who cannot challenge you. The word mediocre may be too harsh, but if Winston goes, then his tribe of grey characters will evaporate with him. Cannot actually remember anything he said except that they were "between Labour and National." Obviously it is going to be a tight squeeze with United Future in that budgie cage.

Deborah Coddington (ACT): A stylishly dressed and gleaming eyed fanatic, Debs warmed up the crowd by telling them "the market will provide." Obviously she hasn't been following Hurricane Katrina. Soon to join fellow ACTors such as the poison dwarf Rodney Hide and pinstriped squatocrat of the High Country Gerry Eckhoff back at the "grassroots" of politics.

Trevor Mallard (Labour): Trev followed the script but caused some concern with his unbuttoned shirt. Tried hard to sound left wing enough for the PPTA members in the audience, but right wing enough to reassure the upper classes their children will continued to be subsidized in elitist private schools to give them the extra edge against the nobodies. Would like to "do more" to help the student debt problem – as long as it doens't involve raising taxes on millionaires.

Meteria Turei (Greens): Got the most audience support and seemed more focussed than usual. I was a little concerned as she was quoting my speech from the last meeting I was at, but as a socialist I am happy to share my ideas for free. But the Greens never mention how they are going to pay for it. Would their support wilt like overcooked green spinach if the well-heeled sector of environmental crusaders had to front up with the higher tax?

Bill English (National): Bill was wearing his unusual "all grey" combination and seems like a man going through the motions. The motions of what is hard to say – drowning? He seems to lack punch. However he occasionally makes a dry observation that overcomes complete inertia.
Seemed a little annoyed about some PPTA ad that apparently paints him as being responsible for a beaten woman? I haven't seen it so can't comment.

Bernie Ogilvy (United): I cannot say anything about United that was not said by T.S. Eliot in his famous poem of 1925 "The Hollow Men":

We are the hollow men
We are the stuffed men
Leaning together
Headpiece filled with straw. Alas!
Our dried voices, when
We whisper together
Are quiet and meaningless
As wind in dry grass
Or rats' feet over broken glass
In our dry cellar

Shape without form, shade without colour,
Paralysed force, gesture without motion;

Those who have crossed
With direct eyes, to death's other Kingdom
Remember us -- if at all -- not as lost
Violent souls, but only
As the hollow men
The stuffed men.

Monte Ohia (Maori Party): Monte was a genial character who filled the room with goodwill and a winning smile. However, it was patently obvious he had no policies. Told the audience that it would have been better if there were no student loans. As the Maori Party support lowering corporate taxes, how they are going to fix the problem will be interesting to see. Perhaps with goodwill and a winning smile.

I was interested to hear the Progressive person talk about their support for free education. I wonder how they are going to achieve this when they can't be seen to disagree with their "coalition partner" Labour. Perhaps as their local candidate James told me, it will be done by "playing the game" and with Jim "having a word in Helen's ear at the cabinet table." Or perhaps it will come from people supporting the Alliance Party, which has principles?

However for much of the debate I was watching Kim Hill's strange body language and waving hand movements. After the debate we walked back to the car and saw Bill English looking lost and standing alone with his briefcase and cellphone in the middle of the carpark. I thought he would look much better with a loyal dog and a swanndri standing in a paddock near Lumsden. I think he would also look happier.
- posted by Victor @ 6:54 PM