Wandering in the breeze with Helen

"...I am a free spirit..."

Helen Clark, TV3 leaders debate November 3 2008

I just about swallowed my tongue when Helen Clark said this in tonight's Key vs Clark debate, which Key won.

Of course New Zealanders know that while Clark might be a self described "free spirit" , most would not describe her in that way in the true sense of what a "free spirit" is.

In Clark's mind that means she is free do do what she want to you to impinge upon your freedoms but to most of us the words free spirit mean more of a reciprocal relationship between yourself and others.

Watch full TV3 debate

c Political Animal 2008

No Jacket required

Showing how farcical and badly written Labours Electoral Finance Act truly is:

Act leader Rodney Hide's canary-yellow jacket has fallen foul of the Electoral Finance Act.

The Electoral Commission wrote to Mr Hide yesterday, saying that under the act the jacket might be an "election advertisement" and therefore required an authorising statement.

Mr Hide said the move showed the absurdity of the act and the Labour-led Government that passed it.

"They have state agents investigating an MP's jacket. They will be checking my underpants next. More

Rodney Hide's yellow jacket carries a slogan, but no authorisation signature. Photo / Martin Sykes

Sure it is a horrible little jacket, paid for by Hide, and it cost too much, but this breaks electoral law when Labours $60,000 taxpayer funded book sent out to the oldies a few weeks back doesn't?

Pass me a bucket.

c Political Animal 2008

Dont vote Labour because: Labours support of Winston Peters

A series of advertising messages urging you not to vote Labour this Saturday 8 November.

Don't vote Labour because of Helen Clark's support of Winston Peters.

Clark has supported Peters for political reasons rather than for moral or legal reasons.

Peters acceptance of money from Owen Glenn, the Vela family, Bob Jones and who knows who else and his lies surrounding these donations make no difference to our Helen.

Recent new facts have uncovered money for policy and yet Helen remains unmoved.

Peters is a corrupt, lying bastard of a man and Helen sees nothing wrong with that.

If it means Labour stays in power, she and her party will do it. She will use his support if she needs him again after November 8.

c Political Animal 2008

FULL VIDEO: TV3 Decision 08 Head-to-Head debate, 3 Nov 2008

The defining Decision 08 debate between Labour's Prime Minister Helen Clark and National's Prime Ministerial hopeful John Key.   

Full video of the debate can be found below. It is in five parts.

Decision 08 Head-to-Head debate: Part 1  

Decision 08 Head-to-Head debate: Part 2  

Decision 08 Head-to-Head debate: Part 3 

Decision 08 Head-to-Head debate: Part 4 

Decision 08 Head-to-Head debate: Part 5 

Related Reading

Live Blog transcript of TV3 Key VS Clark

Full VIDEO: TV One Debate

c Political Animal 2008