Paula Bennett says Jacinda lacks “the kind of brain” to lead

Written By: - Date published: 8:25 am, August 6th, 2017 - 83 comments
Categories: jacinda ardern, paula bennett, the praiseworthy and the pitiful - Tags: , , ,

Back in May the Nats chose Nikki Kaye as their vehicle to attack Jacinda Ardern. It didn’t work so well – Patrick Gower: National’s attacks on Jacinda Ardern look desperate, and – National’s attack on Labour’s deputy suggests concerns more than skin deep.

Having learned nothing from the slapdown, the Nats chose Paula Bennett to lead the attack this time – Jacinda Ardern lacks substance compared to Bill English – Paula Bennett. The original title of the piece was – “Jacinda Ardern lacks the kind of brain to unite kiwis”.

Deputy Prime Minister Ms Bennett, speaking to The Nation on Saturday morning, said “relentless positivity” is core to her own outlook.

“I feel that’s what I am. There we go. I’m putting that on the table. I feel like she’s stolen my relentless positivity, so I’m going to go for eternal optimism.”

But she believes Ms Ardern lacks two key things Prime Minister Bill English has – substance and “the kind of brain to pull this country together”.

Keep talking Paula. Please, keep talking…

83 comments on “Paula Bennett says Jacinda lacks “the kind of brain” to lead ”

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  1. Carolyn_nth 1
    6 August 2017 at 8:29 am

    So the focus groups results are now in, and the line of attack on Ardern’s Labour has been decided?

  2. marty mars 2
    6 August 2017 at 8:31 am

    another gnat fail coming up lol

  3. lprent 3
    6 August 2017 at 8:36 am

    This from the women who dug into the WINZ files to pull out confidential information about two civilian critics, and then published it carefully selected information spun into an effective lie.

    Ummm I am SURE that most kiwis could do without that kind of ‘positivity’. Just reads like a gutless cowardly bully trying to make up her own rules as she goes. The female version of Cameron Slater.

  4. AsleepWhileWalking 4
    6 August 2017 at 8:39 am

    Stolen my relentless positivity?

    Arden up!

  5. savenz 5
    6 August 2017 at 8:41 am

    “The kind of brain to pull this country together” = division. Not exactly new as a National attack line, it’s been used last election against Labour and Cunliffe. This is just a different version.

    I’m pretty sure that people want Jacinda over Bill’s the unimaginative, double dipping muddler.

    BTW, another 2500 signatures signed over night wanting an enquiry into Paula Bennett.

    https://www.change.org/p/justice-minister-paula-bennett-winz-fraud-inquiry

    I also think Jacinda would be well received on the world stage as being someone more representative of younger view points and being a younger women.

    With temperatures in Europe hitting terminal levels of 42 degrees and predicted to possibly start getting into the 50 degrees in the future, it might be time old, oil loving, neoliberal men are retired from politics, they had their day.

    The world needs a new approach by politicians that care about the next 50 years and the next generations future, not take or pollute (for example) NZ aquifers for a 5 year personal financial gain, and fuck the rest of the population and future generations in this country.

    Paula the bully trougher whose approach to welfare and climate change and truth in general, with oil, pollutant loving double dipping English, giving away this country’s water to private companies and individuals – not exactly a tick for the future of this country.

  6. patricia bremner 6
    6 August 2017 at 8:41 am

    Paula Paula ….. Pause before you tweet sweetie.

  7. Nzsage 7
    6 August 2017 at 8:42 am

    Attack the individual eh? Good old tried and trusted tory tactic.

    • alwyn 7.2
      6 August 2017 at 5:16 pm

      It’s certainly nothing that the Labour Party would do is it?
      Or perhaps their new deputy leader Kelvin Douglas hasn’t got the message.
      Well we now know why he was put into the job. He is required to do the things for Jacinda that Trevor did for Helen.
      Throw the mud and leave the leader’s hands clean
      https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11899387
      The problem for Labour is that this story with its “positivity” is more popular with readers than the policy release story about transport.
      What do you think most of the readers are going to remember tomorrow?

      • Marcus Morris 7.2.1
        7 August 2017 at 4:22 pm

        You just may have the wrong Kelvin which sort of dents your credibility for a start Alwyn. I think that tomorrow readers will be as excited as I am at the prospect of a world class public transport system for Auckland (at last) and I suspect that they will be just as keen (as I am) to hear the policy on housing affordability in general and housing the homeless in particular. I would imagine that they will want to hear in detail how our health system is going to be reinvigorated (this will be of special interest to the voters in Dunedin and places south). Child poverty will be a topic where solutions are eagerly awaited and, perhaps most of all, those who care about such things as social justice will want to know how the ever widening gap within wealth distribution will be tackled. I think it is going to be a great seven weeks although I not sure that Alwyn is going to enjoy the ride. I am certain he will cheer when Joyce and his buddies resume hurling mud at their opposites – come to think of it, there is not much else they can do. After nine years of cynical inaction the Nats suddenly realise they have arrived at a crisis point on all the fronts mentioned above and have decided to “throw” some money at them. Oh, and did I hear that, at long last, they recognise that perhaps tourist should also pay a little extra to enjoy our beautiful country. The latest is that from now on it is going to be Dr Sir John Key. What a reward for selling off the family silver.

  8. AB 8
    6 August 2017 at 8:49 am

    Ardern lacks “the” kind of brain. Bennett it seems lacks “any” kind of brain. Stupid, laughable stuff from her again.

    • Tricledrown 8.1
      6 August 2017 at 10:02 am

      Bennett’s days are numbered she will have to make way for Peter’s at the very least.

  9. gsays 9
    6 August 2017 at 9:12 am

    So what division is it that needs pulling together?
    Obviously it is because of the current regime we are divided.

    Haves and have nots perhaps?

  10. One Anonymous Bloke 10
    6 August 2017 at 9:27 am

    Paula’s on fire. Must’ve stood too close to Jacinda.

  11. Tom Pained 11
    6 August 2017 at 9:36 am

    “Relentless positivity” ? You’ve been reading too much pop psychology, Paula ..

  12. Incognito 12
    6 August 2017 at 10:18 am

    Paula’s pathetic; that’s not an attack, not even an excuse for an attack.

    What on Earth does she mean by “substance”?

    Paula does what she and other National MPs do best: being patronising; the message is that Bill English has got the experience and right skills to lead the country and Jacinda Ardern has not.

  13. mary_a 13
    6 August 2017 at 10:24 am

    Paula, just zip it sweetie and go away.

    Now shall we concentrate on events 30 years ago …. ? The Tattoo Club days … remember?

    • Maz 13.1
      6 August 2017 at 10:42 am

      Just watched the articulate Adern on Q & A this morning. She can out think and out speak Bennett in any forum at any time.

  14. North 14
    6 August 2017 at 10:44 am

    Great to see rubbish like this from National. Firstly WTF does “Aw shucks” Bennett know about anyone else’s mind-type or its worth ? That’s a complex area her entirety obviously doesn’t embrace. Secondly her form as a nasty, unrepentant bully type is still out there. Very dumb to set up a contest which inevitably is a call to relative assessments.

  15. Sabine 15
    6 August 2017 at 10:59 am

    did anyone expect anything else?

    seriously, did anyone expect anything else from Paula Bennett.

    this is how Paula Bennett earns her money.

    • Robert Guyton 15.1
      6 August 2017 at 11:03 am

      And isn’t it great that we don’t have to race to Jacinda’s aid following Bennett’s sniping; Jacinda seems perfectly able to slay that leopard/dragon all by herself.

      • Sabine 15.1.1
        6 August 2017 at 11:08 am

        i would not race to her aid, or any politicos aid anyways.
        if they can’t handle that sort of bovine scat thrown at them they should quit.

        Bennett is dumb. Literally no brains at all. She can take orders and faithfully execute them, but she has never had an original thought.

        We have nine years of Bennett doing fuck all other then spending several weeks worth of minimum wage on a pair of heels. If Ms. Ardern can’t handle that then she is even less a threat to National then i think she is. I stand by what i said yesterday.
        Ms. Ardern is there to syphon of underwhelmed National voters and that is why the National Party let loose P.B to go on attack.

        It has got nothing to do with what Labour will or will not do. We have effectively changed the discourse of what needs to be done to get our country ready for the future to the breeding abilities and the brain capacities of a woman.

        aren’t we awesome?

        • Robert Guyton 15.1.1.1
          6 August 2017 at 11:21 am

          “if they can’t handle that sort of bovine scat thrown at them they should quit.”
          My point is, Jacinda can. She may even revel in it 🙂

          • Sabine 15.1.1.1.1
            6 August 2017 at 11:23 am

            great.
            so the discussion is about her now and not the country and its needs.

            shiney object. look no further then the shiney thing we are dangling in front of your eyes.

            i.rest.my.case.

            • Robert Guyton 15.1.1.1.1.1
              6 August 2017 at 11:29 am

              One discussion is about her, ’cause, topical and interesting. It’s not the only discussion, however, so don’t despair; “the country and its needs” will be under intense scrutiny from here on in I do think you’re a bit harsh, describing Jacinda as “a shiney object” – what’s with that?

              • Sabine …
                6 August 2017 at 3:22 pm

                it is a distraction.

                It should be of no interest really who ‘leads the party’ as it should be the ‘party leading the leader’.

                leaders are interchangeable. Andrew Little was to ‘matt, rough, uninspired, not shiney enough’. She however is young, attractive, polished, knows how to speak to the medias content, etc and this has now become what is discussed instead of the policies. I know i know, she will come up with policies and stuff, we will see how that will go down.

                so it is not so much about her, but about the distraction that was created by her elevation.

                And humans are funny, dangle something pretty and shiny in front of them and they often want it. If lucky its better then the thing that is not shiney. that is all that is about. Creating a distraction.

                It feels as if the media and its paymasters have elected J.A and with it the Labour Party (and i am not sure they will pull it of to be honest with you), rather the people.

                yes. i am a cynic. 🙂

            • Johan 15.1.1.1.1.2
              6 August 2017 at 12:42 pm

              …its called personality politics, we had it for almost 9 years under Shonkey.
              “After the attention grabber”, will come the policies, this Monday you will see them.

  16. Pete 16
    6 August 2017 at 11:13 am

    Let’s get the true oil on Bennett and get it out there.

    • Carolyn_nth 16.1
      6 August 2017 at 11:19 am

      The true oil on Bennett is she’s a nasty and contradictory MP and minister, and, in my view, not fit for office in a democracy where all are equal before the law and are treated fairly and positively.

  17. Ms Fargo 17
    6 August 2017 at 11:22 am

    More on this comment?

    mary_a 13
    6 August 2017 at 10:24 am
    Paula, just zip it sweetie and go away.

    Now shall we concentrate on events 30 years ago …. ? The Tattoo Club days … remember?

  18. Eralc 18
    6 August 2017 at 12:01 pm

    Whether Paula is right or not, I’m more inclined to say Jacinda doesn’t yet have the mental capacity to pull the country together. That’s not to say she’ll never have it. It will come with time, experience/s and wisdom. I can’t see her sitting on her hands. In the event that Labour doesn’t win the benches this time round, I hope they do the sensible thing and leave her in the leader’s role so she can build more political capital.

    • Johan 18.1
      6 August 2017 at 12:49 pm

      ” It will come with time, experience/s and wisdom.” How long do you reckon Ardern has been involved in politics Eralc? A quick check, a lot longer than Shonkey before he became pm.

      • Eralc 18.1.1
        6 August 2017 at 11:06 pm

        Not comparing Jacinda with anyone. However, since you mention John Key – he did have more years in life, international, and business experience before joining politics. Jacinda has only ever been a student, then virtually straight into policy and politics. No real world experience to speak of. She’s never had to apply for a job, been made redundant, struggled to make ends meet in her adult life, no worldly experience. How will she foot it on the world stage? I will say that she is intelligent and a fast learner, and I wish her all the best.

        • Rae 18.1.1.1
          7 August 2017 at 2:30 pm

          I know what you mean. I too, wonder how she will fare in a 3 way handshake, how she might handle a spot on whatever is the current equivalent of Letterman. Who will mistake her for a Czech politician, or call her a galloping colonial clot.

          • Johan 18.1.1.1.1
            7 August 2017 at 8:14 pm

            …or describe a respected footballer such David Beckham, “as thick as batshit”.

  19. TheBlackKitten 19
    6 August 2017 at 12:09 pm

    This from a women who said that she had no idea how bad the housing crisis was in Auckland.

  20. WILD KATIPO 20
    6 August 2017 at 12:12 pm

    “Jacinda Ardern lacks the kind of brain to unite kiwis”.

    How droll.

    This from the motel lady we call ‘ sweetie’….

    The gigantic intellect that put homeless family’s up in motels and hurled them into un-payable debt using tax payer dollars while Bill English acting as Finance Minister didn’t know , -and was busy writing up the National Budget.

    And while sweetie was taking full advantage of training on offer while being a solo mother, – once in power took away the same capacity for other solo parents to do the same.

    I’m sure that really ‘ unites’ and endears Kiwi’s under National.

    Mugwa says…. ouch.

    – and so does ‘ sweetie’.

    Last of the Mohicans – Ending Fight Scene – YouTube
    final battle scene▶ 1:36

  21. Stuart Munro 21
    6 August 2017 at 12:19 pm

    It’s a tragic fact that brains and intelligence are more or less equally distributed. But some folk don’t bother to use them very much.

    Paula can be hefty. She can be rude. She can be obtuse. And I don’t really care.

    But, she has consistently failed to do her job. The scrap heap beckons.

  22. Psycho Milt 22
    6 August 2017 at 12:51 pm

    Like many who’ve been successful in National recently, Bennett seems to have little going for her beyond boundless self-confidence. However, people tend to find self-confidence attractive, so it works. A major problem for Labour leaders in debating senior Nats for the last nine years has been that old saw, “the stupid are cocksure while the intelligent are full of doubt.” Hopefully, Jacinda Ardern can manage to be both intelligent and cocksure – it’s a big ask, but she’s doing pretty well at it so far.

    • weka 22.1
      6 August 2017 at 1:27 pm

      She’s radiating self-confidence currently. Refreshing and I’m sure that’s a big part of why people are flocking to Labour.

  23. Editractor 23
    6 August 2017 at 1:01 pm

    I wonder when Bennett thinks NZ fell apart so badly that it now needs pulling together. If it was before 2008, how come Bill hasn’t succeeded in “pulling it together” yet given his brain type? If it’s after 2008, what did National do to make it fall apart, or fail to do to prevent it doing so?

  24. Dspare 24
    6 August 2017 at 1:42 pm

    Relentless positivity:

    Fees suck and fee increases just piss me off. Damn the Nat’s who bring cuts to our education system, make us pay for them out of student loans that will take many people decades to pay off. In my own case, I will probably still be paying off my student loan when my daughter gets to university age; her future looks promising!”…”don’t vote for f**k wits.

    https://thestandard.org.nz/key-not-sure-which-bennett-he-appointed/

  25. silvertuatara 25
    6 August 2017 at 2:29 pm

    The only thing that Jacinda Ardern could possibly be accused of stealing are the hearts and dreams of the New Zealand voting population who have been swept under the carpet by National over the past 9 years and are seeking a credible Left voting block to bring about equity and change for the whole population and not just the most wealthy.

  26. Robert Guyton 26
    6 August 2017 at 5:56 pm

    “Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you will have seen how Labour’s leadership change has electrified the New Zealand election campaign.

    I’ve been monitoring the impact of Jacinda Ardern’s rise on social media, and it’s been nothing short of spectacular.”

    Read more:
    https://theprogressreport.co.nz/2017/08/06/extraordinary-early-numbers-for-jacinda/

  27. greg 27
    6 August 2017 at 5:58 pm

    isnt there an occupation at benetts office tomorrow to demand an investigation in to her dpb days and living arrangements

  28. Liberal Realist 28
    6 August 2017 at 6:02 pm

    I found this segment of the Nation difficult to watch, so bad it made me cringe!

    Pullya Benefit is a typical example of a Nat MP; thick as two planks with a nasty streak. There is simply no comparison between her and Ms Ardern.

    Slightly off topic but worth a mention, Kelvin Davis’ counter attack was gold!

    Everything has changed. The vibe has changed. The momentum has changed. The energy has changed. The election has changed.

    We all know about the Jacinda effect – pure optimism. When we look over at the other side there and we see a Prime Minister with the personality of a rock.

    We have got Jonathan Coleman the doctor of death, we have got Steven Joyce who is as authentic as a $4 Rolex, we’ve got Gerry Brownlee who has got the energy of a small hill, we’ve got Simon Bridges – the only person under 80 who still buys Brylcreem, and Judith Collins, look her stare caused that ice shelf in Antarctica to crack off and float away.

    From:
    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11899387

    • Hanswurst 28.1
      7 August 2017 at 4:45 am

      The best thing about that is that Jones just left the bit about Bennett out when quoting Davis. She’s so underwhelming he seems just to have forgotten she even exists.

  29. patricia bremner 29
    6 August 2017 at 6:36 pm

    Thank you Robert. Facebook /Media report. So pleased to see Tamati Coffey also doing well in Waiariki. Flavell may get a shock. More of the Jacinda effect.

  30. Perry Davies 30
    6 August 2017 at 7:25 pm

    Keep tweeting Paula – oh please keep tweeting.

  31. Delia 31
    6 August 2017 at 11:50 pm

    Paula is Labour gold.

  32. patricia bremner 32
    7 August 2017 at 9:38 am

    Alwyn 7.2

    People will remember the crowd comparisons. Jacinda mobbed by enthusiasts.

    Bill, not so much.

  33. McFlock 33
    7 August 2017 at 10:05 am

    Ardern has the brains to lead.
    Bennett lacks the integrity to govern.

  34. MMP 34
    7 August 2017 at 10:26 am

    ” Lets Do This ” ….. from another of the many voting Labour for the first time.

  35. Rae 35
    7 August 2017 at 2:24 pm

    Dear Paula,
    At least she has one
    Hugs and kisses
    Rae

  36. greg 36
    8 August 2017 at 6:36 pm

    kelvin Davis i almost fell off the chair laughing
    Judith Collins is the cause of the break up of Antarctica lololololololoolololo
    and doctor death Colman

  37. Barbara Jones 37
    9 August 2017 at 12:20 pm

    One can’t make a silk purse, out of a Sows ear…

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