Banks desperate

Written By: - Date published: 12:54 pm, October 6th, 2010 - 60 comments
Categories: auckland supercity, democratic participation, john banks, local government - Tags: , , ,

As it goes down to the wire, John Banks’ desperation is on full display:

John Banks has admitted he could lose the Super City mayoralty on Saturday …

That was always true John. You’re not entitled to the mayoralty. It’s called an election.

… unless people in Auckland City and on the North Shore vote for him in big numbers in the dying days of the campaign.

This is Banks’ message of course. He’s trying to flog the dead horse of his tepid voter base into something approaching a last minute trot. Despite the dodgy looking polls showing a big lead for Brown, Banks’ tactic could work of course, he might scare his base in to action. He’s certainly giving it his best shot:

“If they don’t turn out and vote, we are going to get a Labour mayor from South Auckland in charge,” said the Auckland City Mayor.

Oh te noes! Now that’s laying it on the line, “a Labour Mayor” — Brown is an independent — “from South Auckland”. There’s that South Auckland dogwhistle again. It didn’t work for Melissa Lee, John, and it hasn’t worked for you so far either. As Paul Henry in his new found “wisdom” could probably tell you, the way New Zealand looks is changing. We are South Auckland.

Union leaders and the churches have mobilised South Aucklanders like never before to get out and vote for Mr Brown, while the Banks camp has struggled to match the effort, particularly on the North Shore, where the vote is barely more than 20 per cent.

We are unions and churches and ordinary people getting out to vote. What do you have to offer us as an alternative?

With an upsurge in votes expected in the final days, Mr Banks yesterday made a rallying call to his supporters by way of a scathing attack on Mr Brown.

Nothing positive. Nothing aspirational. No plan. Just more rabid negative attack politics. So far all it has done is turn the voters off, John:

Apathy leads the poll on disillusioned Shore

Only one in five North Shore folk has voted so far, and residents say they are disillusioned by political bickering and the lack of a strong mayoral candidate or key issues.

Bah humbug. It ain’t over ’till it’s over, but wouldn’t it be nice to see people power, unions and churches and a high South Auckland turnout, defeat this nasty, negative, desperate little man.

60 comments on “Banks desperate ”

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  1. Draco T Bastard 1
    6 October 2010 at 1:02 pm

    and a high South Auckland turnout,

    As much as I like to see South Auckland out and voting I would prefer it if everyone was out and voting.

  2. Peter G 2
    6 October 2010 at 1:04 pm

    One commentator was pushing the line that North Shore voters are very busy people and many may well be away on Holiday this week !\

    Fingers crossed for Len !

  3. mickysavage 3
    6 October 2010 at 1:07 pm

    Interesting that Banks has not mentioned out west. Probably because us westies have a soft spot for our bros from the south side. His insulting the south went down poorly out here.

    Brown is doing well out here as well. He has spent a fair bit of time campaigning out west and has been met with the sort of adoration I have not seen since Helen was PM.

    Roll on Saturday.

    • Carol 3.1
      6 October 2010 at 2:19 pm

      Yes, as well as insulting South Auckland, Banks has implicitly insulted us westies. Clearly in his plan for super-Auckland, the west doesn’t count. He’s spinning that a Brown win would mean that Brown is Mayor for the “rest” of Auckland, who, according to Banks, really favour him, while only the south favours Brown. But, really it means that Banks is only for the north and centre of Auckland, and he thinks the rest of us are not worth representing.

      • mystic01 3.1.1
        6 October 2010 at 7:30 pm

        way to go Carol
        the man must think we brownys are stupid.
        i live in central auckland ( one tree hill to be exact ) and 4 votes from my household went to LEN BROWN thanks to the comments he made about South Auckland as i have many many great friends who lives there.
        i dont want a bigot like him to represent me.

        You go Len. kia kaha

  4. Nick K 4
    6 October 2010 at 1:11 pm

    With a Labour mayor, and a centre right council, be careful what you wish for Micky!

    • mickysavage 4.1
      6 October 2010 at 1:17 pm

      Nick a prediction for Saturday, C&R will be decimated. They will get no more than 5 council positions and very few of their local board candidates will get over the line. Their campaign has been very poor and they fail to understand that the rest of Auckland does not want a central takeover.

      Len’s campaign line of “The Mayor for all of Auckland” has struck a real chord with people.

  5. BLiP 5
    6 October 2010 at 1:49 pm

    A bit early to be mocking, I think. The daily voting returns are showing a large increase from areas like Howck, Pakuranga and the North Short. The rich pricks may well have been on holiday, but, they’re back.

    As someone said above, fingers crossed for Len.

    • comedy 5.1
      6 October 2010 at 1:58 pm

      Howick and North Shore ??

      And what makes you think all the people who live in those areas you named are Rich Pricks ?

      I predict that we’ll be lucky to see a 45% voter turnout (even including the fraud) a very large percentage of people just can’t be fucked/have given up….. and looking at the candidates it’s hard to argue with their attitude.

    • r0b 5.2
      6 October 2010 at 2:01 pm

      I’m not at all certain that Brown will win. I’m not even certain that I want him to.

      In some ways I’d rather Banks won. Then the right (Key, Hide, Banks) would completely “own” the supercity, and any associated fiascos. If Brown wins the right will blame him for any problems. In short, mayor of super Auckland may be a poisoned chalice.

      • comedy 5.2.1
        6 October 2010 at 2:19 pm

        Doesn’t this right left mallarcky drive you batshit crazy ? It’s meaningless pap and is all to do with your perspective – your left might be someone elses extreme right.

        Why can’t we just vote for the best person for the job (not that it’s easy with the lack of good people to begin with)

        • r0b 5.2.1.1
          6 October 2010 at 2:38 pm

          Doesn’t this right left mallarcky drive you batshit crazy ?

          No it doesn’t. The labels are simplistic, but the underlying distinction is real.

          A leftie is interested in the welfare of all people. A rightie is interested in the welfare of the well off.

          Give me a leftie any day.

          • Nick K 5.2.1.1.1
            6 October 2010 at 2:57 pm

            Simplistic rubbish.

          • come get some 5.2.1.1.2
            6 October 2010 at 5:25 pm

            lefty is interested in the welfare of all people
            righty is interested in the welfare of their wallets

            captcha: positive

          • comedy 5.2.1.1.3
            6 October 2010 at 9:34 pm

            “A leftie is interested in the welfare of all people. A rightie is interested in the welfare of the well off.”

            Well based on DTBs positioning on left vs right you’d probably be in the RWNJ category as would Lprent most of the Labour party etc etc pointless really eh ?

  6. Nick K 6
    6 October 2010 at 1:51 pm

    Maybe, but don’t confuse C&R with all of the centre right. There’s Cameron Brewer, Tenby Powell and Penny Webster, to name a few, who are not part of C&R who I reckon are centre right.

    Regardless, I cannot wait for Saturday arvo to see how the dominos fall.

    • come get some 6.1
      6 October 2010 at 5:26 pm

      hope to god Brewer knocks that armstrong fuck out of the water. from a lefties pov

  7. Bored 7
    6 October 2010 at 2:00 pm

    Oh the happy irony of the Reemers crew expecting the regions assets delivered on a platter by their own Salome, Banksie. Enter Len, dressed as the rates collector from Manukau into their happy suburb.

  8. gingercrush 8
    6 October 2010 at 2:14 pm

    Bank’s problem is that he’s run the most uninspiring campaign that is far too negative. Brown himself has made a number of stuff ups and isn’t that inspiring himself. But his campaign has been far better than Banks.

    I still think the majority of Aucklanders would have preferred someone other than Banks or Brown but nobody decided to front up.

    • Inventory2 8.1
      6 October 2010 at 3:20 pm

      @ gingercrush – I think that you could rephrase things – how about this?

      Brown himself has made a number of stuff ups and isn’t that inspiring himself. But his campaign has been less bad than Banks’.

      • mickysavage 8.1.1
        6 October 2010 at 9:43 pm

        Nah Brown’s campaign has been very good. He has been far more nimble than Banks and his positioning has been far better and, dare I say it, inspiring.

        Go Len!!

        I agree with Rob though that it may be a poisoned chalice.

  9. grumpy 9
    6 October 2010 at 2:16 pm

    A bit early to be even thinking of a result. Both NoRightTurn and DPF seem to be picking an electoral petition and a revote.

    • gobsmacked 9.1
      6 October 2010 at 2:42 pm

      Are they? Where?

      There is zero chance that the Auckland-wide Mayoral election will be null and void because of clumsy (alleged etc) attempted vote faud in a different local board election, which was detected and prevented and brought before the courts before the election has happened.

      It’s a Banks fantasy, a desperate attempt to evoke Florida 2000, with which it has nothing in common.

      • Inventory2 9.1.1
        6 October 2010 at 3:31 pm

        I disagree Gobsmacked. The voting papers for the local board election did not go out independantly. The whole process is tainted.

        • ghostwhowalksnz 9.1.1.1
          6 October 2010 at 5:04 pm

          Proof is a fine thing.
          There seems to be more votes ‘tainted ‘ by a lazy postie who threw the undelivered papers away and in South Auckland only ! .
          I smell a rat, a citrat?

          • come get some 9.1.1.1.1
            6 October 2010 at 5:28 pm

            sounds like he just got bored and wanted to knock of early. Easy way to do that? throw it in the bin and say you delivered.

            How he thought he’d get away with it is beyond me, but hell. I did it when I delivered some real estate flyers in my teens, and it wasnt so people wouldnt buy the house…

        • mickysavage 9.1.1.2
          6 October 2010 at 9:50 pm

          Um Inventory

          The voting papers relating to the charges have apparently been voided. So no chance of them affecting the result.

          The process aint tainted. I guess when Len wins it will give RWNJs something to cling onto though.

  10. tc 10
    6 October 2010 at 2:26 pm

    I agree with Rob, it’s designed in such a way by Rortney/Ford/Fay/Sideshow/Blinglish/bus roundtable etc that the big agenda rolls on regardless of who get’s the fancy necklace so a Banksie win gives them little wriggle room to blame the left….they still will anyway.

    Also Banksie’s such a ‘quality person’ with a marginal IQ and questionable people skills that he’ll implode under the constant barrage of issues that Ford’s aware of but has already got his shiny new post to slink off to leaving the shambles ARTA have presided over at the new supershity’s door.

  11. Big Bruv 11
    6 October 2010 at 6:32 pm

    Why is Len Brown refusing to say who was at the now infamous $810 dollar dinner?

    The same dinner he charged to the rate payer.

    Come on “Honest” Len, tell us who you fed with rate payer money.

    • Kaplan 11.1
      6 October 2010 at 8:00 pm

      Because it has no relevance at all on his ability to be a better mayor than Banks but strategically it’s still better to have it come out after the election. You have to appreciate that. It’s normal of the right to applaud political management over political substance and who Len had dinner with is of no substance at all.

      • Big Bruv 11.1.1
        6 October 2010 at 8:03 pm

        It is of substance if Brown has effectively stolen the money, if he has then he deserves to face criminal charges……

        Oh hang on…..you lot just normally change the law when faced with charges of theft…..

        • Colonial Viper 11.1.1.1
          6 October 2010 at 8:14 pm

          Meh, more of the Fox news “if this, if that, we’re just asking the question” smear strategy.

          Come up with some clearer indication of wrong doing or go away.

          Oh hang on…..you lot just normally change the law when faced with charges of theft…..

          Bill and John gave the financial speculators $1770 million of tax payers money. I guess because it was a gift, 108 cents on the dollar, its not theft right. But an inside job is still an inside job.

  12. JayDee 12
    6 October 2010 at 7:57 pm

    Getting desperate there BB

    • Big Bruv 12.1
      6 October 2010 at 8:01 pm

      Not at all, I am not an Auckland rate payer so it is no concern if mine really.

      However, it does not surprise me to see you guys sanction the theft of rate payer money.

      What the rest of us want to know is who Len fed on the rate payers credit card and why does he continue to lie about it.

      What does dishonest Len have to hide?

      • mystic01 12.1.1
        6 October 2010 at 8:12 pm

        hmmmm,
        if you’re not an auckland ratepayer, then im assuming you’re not a Manukau Ratepayer either so you are right .. its nothing to do with you and, i as i am currently an Auckland City Ratepayer,its none of my business either.

        but as a soon to be a SuperCity Ratepayer, i have full confidence in Len Bown.

        btw, Mr Banks assumes that all central auckland ratepayers will support him but i have news for him and … its all bad.

        my family has already voted for LEN BROWN.

        • Big Bruv 12.1.1.1
          6 October 2010 at 8:46 pm

          So, you have full confidence in a man who refused to tell the rate payers what he has spent their money on?

          Some might call that dishonest, some might call that theft….others call it usual behaviour from a left wing political figure.

        • Colonial Viper 12.1.1.2
          6 October 2010 at 8:54 pm

          Its always a race to the bottom with Big Bruv.

          A couple of dollars worth of porn, sandwiches or flowers is worth following to the ends of the Earth; $1,770,000,000 in gifting to the wealthy and the financial speculators, meh.

          • Big Bruv 12.1.1.2.1
            6 October 2010 at 9:32 pm

            That is where you are so wrong Viper (yet again) I do not believe in tax payer bail outs of greedy fools who placed their money into finance companies, given that I have the same attitude toward benefit parasites I am at the very least being consistent.

            Consistently is not something the left understand, you people always believe that the ends justify the means, theft, corruption, lies and slander are perfectly acceptable to you just as long as you are the ones committing the crimes.

            • BLiP 12.1.1.2.1.1
              7 October 2010 at 12:55 am

              Cuts both ways. Look what happens when John Banks is supposedly in charge of other people’s money?

              You’ve been quite busy for a welcher, unemployed again, are you?

          • Colonial Viper 12.1.1.2.2
            7 October 2010 at 12:40 am

            Perhaps the Right have better lawyers and accountants: grand thievary from the many with proceeds given to the few, but all (just) within the rules.

            That is where you are so wrong Viper (yet again) I do not believe in tax payer bail outs of greedy fools who placed their money into finance companies

            Yeah so why aren’t you fight fight fighting on our side against it, mate?

            Or are your beliefs as hollow as your free market principles?

            Consistently is not something the left understand, you people always believe that the ends justify the means, theft, corruption, lies and slander are perfectly acceptable to you just as long as you are the ones committing the crimes.

            You’re describing the US Republican party perfectly but no one else I know describes them as being “Left”.

      • Colonial Viper 12.1.2
        6 October 2010 at 8:17 pm

        However, it does not surprise me to see you guys sanction the theft of rate payer money.

        No that was Rodney Hide, in setting up highly funded Auckland CCOs out of the reach of rate payer accountability.

        Get it right.

      • The Voice of Reason 12.1.3
        6 October 2010 at 8:21 pm

        “Not at all, I am not a debt payer so it is no concern if mine really.

        However, it does not surprise anyone to see me sanction the theft of a charity’s money.

        What the rest of you want to know is who Big Bludge owes money to and why does he continue to lie about it.

        What does dishonest Blub have to hide?”

        There ya go, BB, all fixed for ya. No charge; you wouldn’t pay anyway.

        • Big Bruv 12.1.3.1
          6 October 2010 at 8:34 pm

          Hey Voice

          Do your pals know you support a commercial enterprise (not a charity) whose creator is facing charges of rape?

          Or does that not matter when the accused rapist is a fellow lefty?

          • The Voice of Reason 12.1.3.1.1
            6 October 2010 at 8:41 pm

            Assange is innocent until proven guilty. You, on the other hand, are a proven bullshit artist. Nil credibility at all. Pay up or piss off.

          • mickysavage 12.1.3.1.2
            6 October 2010 at 9:56 pm

            BB Did you ever pay that bet?????? You know the one that you lost??????

            • Big Bruv 12.1.3.1.2.1
              7 October 2010 at 1:13 pm

              Micky

              You mean did I pay money to the rapist?

              You know the answer to that question, Wikileaks is not charity and the creator is a sexual predator.

              Still, I know that does not matter to you guys because he is a lefty.

              [lprent: Continuing your education…

              I can see that you’re a classic member of a lynch mob. It only matters that the accusation is made – not that it is proved. Now lets look at you. I have a strong suspicion that you are a sheep-shagger. So now that I have made that charge you obviously are.

              We do know that you welch on your bets when it suits you. That makes you a what? ]

          • Jum 12.1.3.1.3
            6 October 2010 at 10:11 pm

            big bruv really is disestablishing; stand back everyone. It could get nasty.

      • Irascible 12.1.4
        7 October 2010 at 4:42 am

        Perhaps you should ask why it took so long for Quax & Jamie Ross to front up on the debts they owed to the Manukau Council which, in Quax’s case, were larger than those the ACT candidates (Quax & Ross ) on the C&R platform raised about Len’s use of the mayoral credit card.

  13. Jum 13
    6 October 2010 at 10:08 pm

    Two mail drops dumped, re an area which favours Brown; that’s not an accident – that’s rightwing politics at its corruptive best.

    Key backing Banks – two nasty, corruptly favoured politicians backing each other – figures.

    • Nick K 13.1
      7 October 2010 at 9:12 am

      Twyford backing Brown….touche!

      • Jum 13.1.1
        7 October 2010 at 1:06 pm

        Nick K – more like an ouch for you. Key had Banks sitting on a seat beside him and English at an Act (pretend National) Conference some time back, and blurting out Banks as the ‘man’ early in 2009.

        Twyford, since he didn’t see anyone pulling the plug on Key, just like the spineless Broadcasting ‘Authority’ and the gummint not sacking the ex’nat candidate Paul Henry after a mind-numbingly embarrassing term as front man with attached bimbo (of course the women fronts just luuuuuuuuuuv Henry, but can they do it off camera – it’s cringy), supported Brown.

  14. Tenby Powell 14
    7 October 2010 at 9:55 am

    Leftie – Nick K is right – A reporter told me she\’s confused by my politics. Apparently I don’t fit the centre-right mould & given my business successes; surely I am centre-right? NO! Not on all things. I grew up in a Blue Collar environment: Dad was a mechanic, Mum was a Nurse; both had high service ideals. I am centre-right on economics and macro value creation & centre-left on a range of social issues. So what? At Hirepool, for example, we made damn sure profit share included everyone, not just snr execs. One can have a centre right leaning and not buy into C & R rubbish – & most of it is rubbish. I’ve developed a good relationship with both Len Brown & Mike Lee during this campaign & believe I could work with them effectively if this comes to pass. In any case – I believe independents who “don’t pull” Auckland all over the political spectrum is the way forward

  15. mystic01 15
    7 October 2010 at 10:57 am

    just got home from visiting familes in Otahuhu(central auckland of course) and drove past the Mangere East Libray and the que of people waiting and im assuming to cast their votes … what a sight to see and good on them for making sure their votes count as some no good hopeless postie dumped their voting papers.

    or was that a planned .. ummm .. the mind boggles.

    Len Brown … is da man

  16. Lew 16
    8 October 2010 at 8:19 am

    Further to this topic, and I guess y’all probably have a post on it in the pipes but the Reid Research poll released last night by TV3 shows Brown winning the head-to-head battle in every single district in Auckland except Rodney and the North Shore, where Banks & Brown are dead even.

    If Banks can’t win even the Shore and Rodney by double figures, then I suppose desperation is all he’s got.

    (Concerns re sample size, though).

    L

  17. mystic01 17
    9 October 2010 at 1:36 pm

    CONGRATULATION LEN BROWN FOR BECOMING THE “FIRST SUPERCITY MAYOR” OF AUCKLAND AND TO ALL YOUR “MEAN MACHINE” GROUP OF WORKERS FOR A JOB WELL DONE.

    PARTY!!!!!! PARTY !!!!!!! PARTY .. YOU ALL DESERVE IT.

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