An observation from Bryan Spondre at Gotcha! today:
It is interesting that Helen Clark chose to be associated with the arts by becoming Minister of Arts, Culture and Heritage while John Key has taken on tourism.
By becoming arts minister, Helen was making sure she kept a very vocal sector on side. There is no doubt in my mind it was a political ploy aimed at improving her media image by sucking up to those who had power over it. It helped that it was her own area of interest too.
John on the other hand, associates himself with selling the country to the world.
Political survival and personal gratification vs. driving the country forward.
Speaks volumes really.
Something should go here, maybe later. 