A week is a long time in politics and a week of "dirty politics" must seem like an eternity for the National Party.
The revelations from Nicky Hager's book have dominated the headlines and seen John Key's Government take a hit in the polls and the prime minister suffer hisbiggest slide in popularity.
This may, of course, be partly due to an over-excited media gorging itself on tasty tidbits of cloak-and-dagger, behind-the-scenes chicanery.
But I suspect a few tried-and-true National supporters are feeling uncomfortable. They would regard themselves as decent, upright people and to learn Key is chummy with the vindictive, and foul-mouthed blogger Cameron Slater would have come as a shock. Slater's viciousness and apparent contempt for many of his fellow Kiwis paints him as the kind of guy you would want to steer clear of, rather than be cosying up to.
Here in Wanganui the revelations from Hager's Dirty Politics tome have unveiled our own blogger, but Tony Stuart's writings show a more responsible and good-mannered side to the art of political commentary.
At the Chronicle, we are leaving the dirt behind with our own coverage of the election that begins in earnest today in our B section with an in-depth look at the Te Tai Hauauru seat and those contesting it.
In coming weeks we will cover the Whanganui and Rangitikei electorates, quiz the candidates on their policies and plans for our region and also speak to voters, young and old, about what is important to them.
We also have plans for a meet-the-candidates public forum and, as always, we want to hear your views about the issues that matter.
