It doesn't matter if you love or hate the Internet entrepreneur Kim Schmitz, you've still got to admire his ability to gain media attention and win some very high profile court battles against the government.
Not only can we thank the German-Finnish businessman for sticking to his guns and taking out the corrupt John Banks, who had to resign after being found guilty for filing a false electoral return, the former hacker now known as Kim Dotcom looks set to take out one of the left's most formidable foes, John Key.
Last Wednesday, the NZ Herald reported:
Reaction to this announcement has been rather mixed, with many arguing that Dotcom should release the information now. Assuming that the evidence that John Key lied is robust, I think Dotcom showing his hand now would be a mistake, being that many voters only make up their minds a few days out from an election.
If you're wondering why Dotcom is keeping his powder dry, look at what the teapot tapes scandal did for NZ First. It was the leaking of what Key and Banks talked about that gained a serious amount of attention and subsequent votes to ensure Winston's return. After that well timed release of information, NZ First experienced a resurgence in support to secure eight seats in Parliament.
Some have argued that having the information release timed in this way is manipulative, but it's really no different to what other parties do on a regular basis. Dotcom is simply gaining further media attention by indicating that he has the evidence. In my opinion there's really no reason to criticize this type of politicking or not believe him.
Other commentators have said that the release of information just five days out from an election won't give them enough time to properly analyse it. This is a pretty silly claim, being that any competent political analysis should only require a day or two to work through the details.
It might take the government propagandist's a bit longer to develop a counter story, but that would only be the case if they didn't already know what the evidence was. It's likely that they do and already have John Key's script ready and waiting to go.
Unfortunately much of the recent commentary against Dotcom doesn't seem to be based on the actual issues being raised. Instead it appears to be about diverting from those issues, undermining a rival party and dare I say it; jealousy because Dotcom is richer than they are.
The other implication is that many politicians are feeling unhappy about being outmaneuvered by a larger than life German and don't know how else to react apart from going on the attack. That's only going to play into the multi-millionaires hands and increase support for the Internet/Mana party alliance.
Whether you love or hate Kim Dotcom, the party he supports looks set to be a force to be reckoned with after the September 2014 election.
Not only can we thank the German-Finnish businessman for sticking to his guns and taking out the corrupt John Banks, who had to resign after being found guilty for filing a false electoral return, the former hacker now known as Kim Dotcom looks set to take out one of the left's most formidable foes, John Key.
Last Wednesday, the NZ Herald reported:
Dotcom promises election eve political bombshell
Mogul claims residency checks set aside to lure him within FBI’s reach but government denies interference.
Kim Dotcom has announced he plans to drop a political bombshell five days before the general election which he says will prove the Prime Minister has been lying about when he first knew about the German internet tycoon.
Dotcom made the announcement yesterday to 3News on the first day of the internet Mana party's road trip campaign.
"On September 15, I'm doing a Town Hall event in Auckland and I invite everyone to come there because that is going to be the day when I'm going to reveal my evidence.....my evidence around the political interference and my evidence that John Key lied," Dotcom said.
Reaction to this announcement has been rather mixed, with many arguing that Dotcom should release the information now. Assuming that the evidence that John Key lied is robust, I think Dotcom showing his hand now would be a mistake, being that many voters only make up their minds a few days out from an election.If you're wondering why Dotcom is keeping his powder dry, look at what the teapot tapes scandal did for NZ First. It was the leaking of what Key and Banks talked about that gained a serious amount of attention and subsequent votes to ensure Winston's return. After that well timed release of information, NZ First experienced a resurgence in support to secure eight seats in Parliament.
Some have argued that having the information release timed in this way is manipulative, but it's really no different to what other parties do on a regular basis. Dotcom is simply gaining further media attention by indicating that he has the evidence. In my opinion there's really no reason to criticize this type of politicking or not believe him.
Other commentators have said that the release of information just five days out from an election won't give them enough time to properly analyse it. This is a pretty silly claim, being that any competent political analysis should only require a day or two to work through the details.
It might take the government propagandist's a bit longer to develop a counter story, but that would only be the case if they didn't already know what the evidence was. It's likely that they do and already have John Key's script ready and waiting to go.
Unfortunately much of the recent commentary against Dotcom doesn't seem to be based on the actual issues being raised. Instead it appears to be about diverting from those issues, undermining a rival party and dare I say it; jealousy because Dotcom is richer than they are.
The other implication is that many politicians are feeling unhappy about being outmaneuvered by a larger than life German and don't know how else to react apart from going on the attack. That's only going to play into the multi-millionaires hands and increase support for the Internet/Mana party alliance.
Whether you love or hate Kim Dotcom, the party he supports looks set to be a force to be reckoned with after the September 2014 election.
