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Post by kokonutwoman on Sept 2, 2008 3:51:02 GMT 12
Key comparing himself to Obama 'ludicrous' - Clark
Monday, 01 September 2008 (stuff.co.nz)
John Key told The Financial Times newspaper he's 'a bit like Barack Obama' - pragmatic with experience in the commercial world.
Reuters/JOHN SELKIRK
PEAS IN A POD: National Party leader John Key told The Financial Times newspaper he's 'a bit like Barack Obama' - pragmatic with experience in the commercial world.
National Party leader John Key's likening of himself to Barack Obama is "absolutely ludicrous", Prime Minister Helen Clark says.
Mr Key compared himself to the United States Democratic Party presidential contender in an interview with a British newspaper, published today.
"I'm a bit like (Barack) Obama," Mr Key, 47, told the Financial Times. "I am not institutionalised in Wellington".
"I had 18 years in the commercial world and I will be quite pragmatic," the old former Merrill Lynch investment banker said.
But Miss Clark said the comparison was "absolutely ludicrous".
"For Mr Key, a rather wooden speaker at the best of times, to compare himself to one of the most gifted orators of our time is simply preposterous."
Deputy Prime Minister Michael Cullen also wasted no time in attacking Mr Key.
"John Key has a very high opinion of himself, but his claim to the mantle of Barack Obama is laughable."
Mr Obama had turned down high-profile corporate jobs in order to work in his community, while Mr Key had spent decades as a currency trader, Dr Cullen said.
While Mr Obama was running on a ticket of change, Mr Key was busy trying to persuade people that he had no "secret plans" and he would do little different from Labour.
"Senator Obama also opposed the war in Iraq from day one. Mr Key attacked the Labour-led government for not joining the war effort, saying New Zealand was `missing in action'."
Dr Cullen said Mr Key probably hadn't expected his comments to be reported in New Zealand.
The Financial Times described Mr Key as "young, smart and rich", but warned that if he beat Helen Clark at the polls in the next 11 weeks, he would become the most inexperienced politician to lead New Zealand in more than 100 years.
Mr Key said his years in Singapore, London, and New York, where he was running foreign exchange for Merrill Lynch, and two years on the foreign exchange committee of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, would help.
But he conceded this experience in finance was useful only to a point: "There are a huge range of issues you need to be across. Economics is good but it is only one part."
The newspaper predicted that Mr Key may be haunted by his decision to come out against New Zealand First leader Winston Peters.
Even if he won the general election the National Party might need to rely on support of smaller parties: "What seems clear is that Mr Key will not be able to rely on New Zealand First".
He said it was "inevitable" that New Zealand would become a republic, and that the move could be triggered by a change in the British monarch or a move by Australia.
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Post by maire on Sept 2, 2008 7:22:26 GMT 12
He has such a high opinion of himself, I hope he doesn't trip over his own ego ;D ;D His lack of experience would be a real worry, but as he is only a figure head, having others behind the scenes (BRT) running things, I don't suppose it's a problem. The problem is, what those behind the scenes plan on doing .........      |
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Post by Misstique on Sept 2, 2008 8:23:26 GMT 12
The Exclusive Brethrens? Nah just kidding Maire.
But yes, it does seem that Keys has an extremely high opinion of himself.
Obama said in 2006 he was too immature to run for president, well hasn't he 'grown up'
real well (politically) in the last two years? I don't think Keys comes even close!
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Post by herodotus on Sept 2, 2008 8:58:55 GMT 12
anyone done the 'wiki' on Lord Ashcroft yet?
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Post by Misstique on Sept 2, 2008 9:20:54 GMT 12
doh I put it in the wrong thread (see mikey thread down below) lol
FOUND THIS:
John Key meets British Billionaire Lord Ashcroft
By NZPA
22 views
British billionaire Lord Michael Ashcroft visited the home of National Party leader John Key at the weekend, but Mr Key says there was no talk of political donations.
Lord Ashcroft has donated millions to the British Conservative Party, of which he is deputy chairman, but became well known in New Zealand for the $200,000 reward that helped lead to the return of stolen war medals from Waiouru's Army Museum.
Mr Key today said on TV3 that Lord Ashcroft had given him an update on British politics, but no donation was either sought or offered in relation to the National Party.
Mr Key pointed out that even if Lord Ashcroft wanted to donate to National, it was prohibited under the Electoral Finance Act, which says only New Zealand citizens or registered electors living overseas can donate more than $1000.
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Post by kokonutwoman on Sept 2, 2008 9:23:15 GMT 12
Exactly Maire, perhaps the roundtable me thinks hmmm
As for Ash baby well there's another player in the conspiracy of things
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Post by Misstique on Sept 2, 2008 9:24:37 GMT 12
Link: www.infonews.co.nz/news.cfm?l=1&t=0&id=26794
Well it stands to reason that Keys has got to make sure his own agendas are transparent
to be able to stand under the gloomy glare of the NZ's public. He can't be so stupid as to
accept a donation from a billionaire, in the wake of the Winston saga. Is he? lol |
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Post by kokonutwoman on Sept 2, 2008 9:31:55 GMT 12
lol
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Post by maire on Sept 3, 2008 7:16:58 GMT 12
Exactly Maire, perhaps the roundtable me thinks hmmm As for Ash baby well there's another player in the conspiracy of things Yep the Roundtable, Act & various other extreme right wing groups and individuals. Regarding Lord Ashcroft and talk of him donating .. I saw one very intuitive TMer say "where there is a will, there is a way"  How true. One way would be to launder that money through a country that both NZers and British citizens have access to and the Cook Islands spring instantly to mind, especially if the infamous Magnum groups tax fraud scheme is still operational there. Fay Richwhite, Russell McVeigh and co, all involved in that Wine Box enquiry and F R in Nationals run in with the SFO in 2002[?] over funding. And I notice the Russell McVeigh name coming up in regards to them funding National in 2005 or maybe it was this year. That was from a post by another excellent poster, Iarohau ... lol I love it how she gets those nattys all tied up, blustering and abusive, while she calmly carries on ;D  ;D All speculation re the above method on funding of course, but I'm almost certain, that is exactly what Lord Ashcrofts visit was about. |
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Post by herodotus on Sept 3, 2008 13:34:27 GMT 12
I dont think Barack Obama wears a WIG!
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Post by kokonutwoman on Sept 3, 2008 21:27:57 GMT 12
so what colour exactly is the kettle lol
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Post by Misstique on Sept 3, 2008 21:42:41 GMT 12
Does Keys wear a wig? A toupee? Eeeeeeewwwwwwww!
Are you sure? Or are you just jiving? 
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Post by herodotus on Sept 4, 2008 19:35:31 GMT 12
does donald trump own a casino?
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Post by Misstique on Sept 5, 2008 8:04:40 GMT 12
I dunno ... does he? Jeez I told you I don't know much Hero lol
He's a hotel baron I know that much ... hang on let me check ....
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Post by Misstique on Sept 5, 2008 8:06:55 GMT 12
Ah ok - I found :
WILL DONALD TRUMP OWN THE WORLD? No, but he's trying --
His two casino-hotels, Trump Plaza and Trump's Castle, will generate about ... blah blah blah
Ok - so John Keys has fake hair. Double eeeewwwwww!
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How true. One way would be to launder that money through a country that both NZers and British citizens have access to and the Cook Islands spring instantly to mind, especially if the infamous Magnum groups tax fraud scheme is still operational there.
;D 