Acceptance
On the one hand: immeasurable pride…
I’m still wrapping my head around Obama winning, even though I called it back in January. It’s been incredibly inspiring to see him make it happen. He is a master. He hit every note exactly right. There has not been a more inspiring candidate in my lifetime. I never thought there would ever be a politician as focused, smart and inspiring as Bobby Kennedy was. Even Obama’s family has the beauty and aura of the Kennedy’s. I’m loving and savoring every second of it. I still can’t believe it’s actually happened.
I highly recommend these two photo galleries of Obama: The big picture and this campaign photo journal.
It has changed my view of the ‘old country’. I swore that if John McCain won I wouldn’t go back to the US, even to visit. Now I’m actually looking forward to visiting. I haven’t been back since moving to NZ in 2001, so it’s going to be quite a trip when it happens.
On the other hand, total disgust…
On this end of the world we also had an election. It was the polar opposite to the US election. I predicted that Helen would squeak by, but even she seemed tired of Helen. She had no more fire in the belly.
So New Zealand elected an investment banker as Prime Minister. Wow, that’s really moving in the right direction. You know, because if there’s anyone you can trust to manage this economy it would be an investment banker, right?
John Key’s acceptance speech was sickening, especially compared to the vision and eloquence of Obama’s acceptance speech. I know New Zealand has issues with tall poppies but he was just a dickhead. All he could talk about was winning. He didn’t have anything to say about the country or about the challenges we’re facing.
Helen Clarke made me so proud to be Kiwi. She was deadly smart, passionate, with a holistic view of the country and the world.
John Key is the opposite. He has only one concern - money. And that blind focus on money is useless when it comes to leading a country. Joining forces with Act, a far right party of small minded Luddites, proves what a backwards and clueless turn this country has just taken.
The smartest thing John Key did was adopt every one of Helen’s policies during his campaign. His whole platform was “I’m the same as Helen, but prettier.” With Helen gone he’s going to be at a complete loss for ideas and way out of his depths. Which means things are about to go tits up in New Zealand.
One journalist wrote that New Zealand voted for change for change’s sake and that the voting public “just got bored”.
It’s sad, but painfully true. That’s been the attitude of so many people I’ve talked to.
It’s a strange twist for me to be so extraordinarily proud of the way America voted and so disgusted by the way New Zealand voted. Very strange feelings, indeed.
Posting your comment
JRB | November 10, 2008 @ 11:27 pm
Deadly smart… except both she and Cullen had become deadly arrogant in the last year or too. And stopped listening to Joe Public.
Frankly I had no problem with Aunty Helen in the beginning of her ‘reign’. I even voted for her party on that basis. But Cullen, on the other hand, was an arrogant [fill-in-your-own-expletive], who has made a complete hash job of the economy. Every interview I’d ever seen him give just confirmed the impression of arrogance; someone so far removed from the average working kiwi, they have no way to connect. Perhaps it’s that background in academia? I never liked being talked down to by my professors, I like it even less from elected officials.
Will National be any better? Probably not. But Cullen needed to be gone, and we needed change almost as much as the Yanks (if for completely different reasons). ;-)
John | November 11, 2008 @ 12:44 am
I’m finding it hard to comprehend why lefties can’t accept democracy. Or are elections fine… as long as Dear Leader is voted back in?
I also find it hard to comprehend why anyone who chooses reason would want this lot back in power after the last 3 years. Their absolute disrespect for NZ’s democracy (which manifested clearly with the pledge card scandal, the EFA, the ludicrous defense of Winnie, and lastly the H-fee own goal) was frightening and history will judge them accordingly. Keen to hear your thoughts.
I’m immensely proud NZers voted against these attacks on our democracy and thusly voted for change. After this week’s two elections I’m very proud to be a citizen of democracy and I feel this with/for my democratic whakapapa in America.
And sure, let’s be honest, JK’s delivery on Saturday night was appallingly terrible. But to say his speech was “all he could talk about was winning” is dishonest.
Here’s a transcript of Obama’s and Key’s victory speeches so people can make up their own minds:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/11/04/obama-victory-speech_n_141194.html
http://national.org.nz/Article.aspx?ArticleID=28931
But as an example, on winning Obama said:
“If there is anyone out there who still doubts that America is a place where all things are possible; who still wonders if the dream of our founders is alive in our time; who still questions the power of our democracy, tonight is your answer.”
While Key said:
“Today across the country, New Zealanders have voted for a safer, more prosperous and more ambitious New Zealand. They voted for hope, they voted for action, and they voted for results. They voted for a better life for all New Zealanders.”
On their opponent Obama said:
“He fought long and hard in this campaign, and hes fought even longer and harder for the country he loves. He has endured sacrifices for America that most of us cannot begin to imagine, and we are better off for the service rendered by this brave and selfless leader. I congratulate him and Governor Palin for all they have achieved, and I look forward to working with them to renew this nations promise in the months ahead.”
While Key said:
“It’s fair to say that Helen and I have different views about what policies are best for New Zealand. But we share a love of this country. And I have always admired her dedication to her job, her ferocious work ethic, and her desire to make New Zealand a better country. As Prime Minister of New Zealand she has always ensured our small voice was loudly heard on the international stage. So on behalf of you all, I say thank you.”
On the tough road ahead Obama said:
“There will be setbacks and false starts. There are many who wont agree with every decision or policy I make as President, and we know that government cant solve every problem. But I will always be honest with you about the challenges we face. I will listen to you, especially when we disagree. And above all, I will ask you join in the work of remaking this nation the only way its been done in America for two-hundred and twenty-one years - block by block, brick by brick, calloused hand by calloused hand.”
While Key said:
“Now is a time for working together. Because we need everybody pulling in the same direction. If we do that, if we work hard, if we remain determined, we will make New Zealand as prosperous as we all know it can be. So let me say this: whether you voted for National or not tonight, tonight you have my pledge. I will lead a government that serves the interests of all New Zealanders. And it will be a government that values individual achievement and it will be a government that supports those who cannot support themselves. And it will be a government we can all be part of.”
Hadley | November 11, 2008 @ 9:55 am
I’m all for democracy and even when the other side wins it can be ok. But in my lifetime, I have NEVER seen a country prosper when there is a party like National and Act at the helm. Can anyone please tell me about a time in New Zealand’s past where the National Party brought New Zealand together and served the interests of ALL Kiwis? It is quite disheartening that so many people have come out to back John Key this election. To my eye and ear he is a sniveling greedy shifty eyed creaton who, with the help of the un-evolved ACT party are going to turn all the good work Helen has done into a true mess. I thought Helen was one of the most effective leaders I have ever seen. I think 9 years is a bit too long for one leader to be in power however you can’t throw out the baby with the bathwater. I don’t believe that this new government will bring New Zealand in the right direction. But I would love to be proved wrong.
maetl | November 11, 2008 @ 12:24 pm
I couldn’t agree more…
Judging from many of the comments I’ve seen around the intarwebs, there are a number of people who seem to believe that Key is a ‘businessman’… Now, I’m not sure how one can equate being a forex trader with the day to day challenges of running a local business, but one thing is for certain, Key (someone who “can’t remember” where he was during the Springbok tour, one of the most significant events shaping NZ’s recent cultural history) is certainly not a fair representative of the diverse, multicultural society that NZ is fast becoming (whether the Pakeha mediocrity mongers like it or not). He is overconfident and inarticulate, and lacks any kind of charisma or empathy that would be the mark of a truly great leader. The only thing you can say about him is that he is more upbeat, presentable and less dogmatic than the other middle-aged white male malcontents who control the senior positions in his party.
The scariest thing is that out of nowhere, the miserable slime covered creature called Roger Douglas has slithered out of his cave and is demanding to wield some influence again. To label this a ‘regression’ is putting it lightly.
Just wait for them to have a crack at eradicating MMP. It can be easy to forget that we’re living in the year 2008 now, because it seems like nothing has changed.
Wayne | November 11, 2008 @ 2:52 pm
Just out of curiosity - what was the % of Kiwis voting in your election?
Rebecca Cox | November 11, 2008 @ 9:18 pm
Wow, is great to read a non anonymous local blogger actually say which side of NZ election they supported, I am getting a bit sick of people being too… polite or something to actually come out and take a position on it.
I can’t comment on Key’s speech, as I was too terrified of the election result to watch any of it:(
I don’t think everyone voted selfishly, who voted for the Nats, (some peops just like the idea of less beuracracy and perhaps a return to basics like spelling in schools) also, there were still a lot of votes on the left.
Wellington Central got 20% Green, also managed to not elect that unpleasant sounding guy Franks. Lots of Labour MPs still round this part of the country too. And check out this visual representation of parliament according to party votes cast in Newtown: http://www.flickr.com/photos/becs027/3014481805/ (note, more Green votes than Nats. We SO ROCK:)
I really like the idea of more cross-party work (like what botheyesopen.org.nz were doing), maybe this is how we can get the political left back in next election.
JRB | November 11, 2008 @ 10:21 pm
maetl: So I assume you can remember exactly where you were 27 years ago? Because I can’t. At school probably. But I couldn’t tell you exactly what I was doing while the tour was on.
turntable / as the table turns » Key to nowhere | November 12, 2008 @ 11:22 am
[...] response to some great comments in my last post about the US and NZ [...]
Philip | November 12, 2008 @ 11:24 am
@Wayne
According to
http://www.stuff.co.nz/vote08/4755195a28477.html
The estimated 78.69 per cent of enrolled voters turning out to vote (2,103,842) would be the second-lowest proportion recorded since 1987.
2,103,842 would be about 51% of the total population.
How’s that compare to the US?
Wayne | November 12, 2008 @ 12:00 pm
One site says “Between 60.7 percent and 61.7 percent of the 208.3 million eligible voters cast ballots this year”
maetl | November 14, 2008 @ 11:27 am
JRB: Well, I was 2 years old, and in Queensland Australia, so it’s not likely that I remember anything. Apparently my parents got a lot of apologies from their work collegues about the underarm bowling incident though! I do remember when I arrived in NZ that “Mr Muldoon” was the prime minister. Then that changed to “Mr Lange”. All I remember was scary black newspaper headlines and footage of protests, strikes, and industrial action on the TV news.
To be realistic, the question that was presented to Key was not a totally literal “where were you?” - people simply wanted to know what his *opinions* were, how he felt at a time, which side he chose. As a potential prime-minister, it was very telling of his personality that he did not want to present himself as having an opinion or feeling passionate about human rights. More than that, it also said that as a young man, he was not interested in cultural participation or social change.