Sunday, March 23, 2008

Slippery John strikes again

The Sunday Star-Times reports that National is feeling pressured into bringing forward its tax-cut plans. But what's interesting in the story is how Key reacted to being told he appeared to have changed his mind again:

Last August, Key said the earliest a National-led government could deliver tax cuts would be April 2010.

[...]

Key appeared confused when speaking to the Star-Times about what he had already announced on the timing of tax cuts. He disputed he had said 2010 was the earliest tax cuts could take effect. Instead, he told the Star-Times last week: "We said that was the last date, so we obviously have got some flexibility."

When reminded an August 2007 report in the Dominion Post quoted Key as saying 2010 was the earliest date for tax cuts, he said: She "must have the wrong date".

Those with a memory longer than a goldfish may realise we've seen this before. Repeatedly. It speaks of a man who either cannot remember what he was saying about a core policy just a few months ago and is just making it up as he goes along, or one who is supremely uncomfortable with any suggestion that he might have ever changed his mind. Either way, the approach of attacking journalists (and whining to your rich media manager mates to interfere in the editorial process and get a "clarification" run) for remembering what you said last time is disturbing.

Really, is it that difficult to say "circumstances have change"?