National. Melissa Lee. Ooops.

I'm often late to comment on these in-the-moment political stories. I do try to wait and see what happens and get a better feel for the big picture and not jump to conclusions. I don't always succeed, but I do try.

The Melissa Lee Singularity in Mt. Albert is such an event. She is obviously an intelligent woman and for the most part presents well. The video below (H/T The Standard and TV3) demonstrates this. But it also raises some questions about the judgement of the senior people in her party who put her forward.

In context, Melissa Lee's apparent brain fart at the 4:00 mark in the video below isn’t a big deal. People have that sort of thing happen all the time. I have done media interviews and I know it happens. Especially in a campaign situation where 8 hours sleep each night isn't a happening thing. One's head is often spinning with the events of the day and sleep doesn't come easy sometimes, even if you do get to bed at a reasonable hour.

What does matter is what is said in the more coherent moments. Most of what Melissa Lee says in this clip is fairly reasonable. Her language could be a little more sensitive. I’m not sure calling people “old ladies” is going to make them feel warm and happy. That’s the same sort of lack of finesse displayed in the south Auckland moment. Over time, that sort of error is usually fixable for a future campaign.

What is significant to me about Melissa Lee's record to date in her candidacy in the Mt Albert by-election is she was the choice of National Party HQ (overriding the local favourite) to front for the National Party in a high profile campaign, surrounded by some very difficult Auckland-specific - Mt Albert specific! - issues.

Ooops.