Owning the discourse

Written By: - Date published: 12:28 pm, October 31st, 2011 - 2 comments
Categories: election 2011, john banks, labour, national, phil goff - Tags:

It’s been an extraordinary few weeks. It started with the double downgrade/DJ Key fiasco and Rena. Then Labour started dictating the play: its policies setting the beat of the campaign; its framing dominating. National took its only asset, Brand Key, and trashed it with its phony, weird opening address. And, then, National’s launch was over-shadowed by the rail loop announcement.

You can tell that Labour’s succeeding because National is suddenly trying to imitate it. Their ads and opening address reeked of complacency and their policy cupboard is bare. Then, suddenly they come up with a policy announcement, except it isn’t a new policy. It’s exactly what’s in the budget but with a new name.

The debates are National’s chance to regain the momentum. Key is the acknowledged master of the short-form, rapid-fire format. But he’ll need something special to get National’s campaign out of stall.

2 comments on “Owning the discourse ”

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  1. marxbrother 1
    31 October 2011 at 12:49 pm

    Agree totally Eddie. Key will have the chance to sneer and act the good old boy in his usual imitation of barbeque man. It all depends on viewer perception. Will voters look beyond the media image? Will they consider the policies before making a decision? At least we seem to have the beginnings of a genuine left of centre choice it’s just whether the voters care or understand enough. Good luck Phil- be strong!

  2. mickysavage 2
    31 October 2011 at 1:01 pm

    The launch itself was pretty strange.  Fancy only having 700 people there.  Coupled with their activity at the by elections in the past couple of years and I am certain that National is lacking activists big time.

    And why hasn’t Farrar praised the launch and policy to the roofs?

    For now it can rely on the money that flows from corporate supporters but that may not last for long.

    And yes, I can’t believe National is so bad right now.  The campaign video launch is as bad as the 2002 launch which was pretty appalling.

    This election aint over yet.

    A big performance by Phil and Labour will have that most important of political assets, momentum. 

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