National Party leader John Key played semantics with New Zealand voters by saying New Zealand First leader Winston Peters would be unacceptable as a minister in a government led by him, but giving himself an out.
National was itching to have a go at Mr Peters in Parliament's debating chamber yesterday but kept getting rebuffed, first by Speaker Margaret Wilson then Assistant Speaker Ross Robertson, during the general debate.
Mr Key tried to increase pressure on Prime Minister Helen Clark to sack Mr Peters over the issue of whether Mr Peters had personally solicited a $100,000 donation from expatriate billionaire Owen Glenn.
While appearing to rule out Mr Peters from serving in a National-led government in the future, Mr Key allowed himself an out by saying it could be possible as long as Mr Peters provided a "credible explanation" on the issue.
He also did not rule out dealing with NZ First in any coalition negotiations after the election - just Mr Peters and then only if he did not provide the credible explanation.
It will appear to some voters that Mr Key is trying to win the election in a first-past-the-post mindset, banking on Mr Peters not being able to win back the Tauranga seat or NZ First failing to reach the 5% threshold to return to Parliament.
The problem of who to deal with would then go away.
Mr Peters astutely declared it was a "wriggle out clause".
New Zealand voters may also see it as an attempt by National to tie Labour and NZ First together in the election campaign so that any vote for NZ First will be said to be for a Labour-led government.
National continued its verbal attack on Mr Peters during the general debate.
It will continue today now the emission trading scheme legislation is set for introduction.
Mr Peters delivered his support for the legislation to Miss Clark, ensuring it will be passed before the election.
If National is to retain credibility as being more righteous than Labour, it needs to be firmer on ruling out any future deal with Mr Peters.
Otherwise, it will open itself up to the same criticism it is making of Labour.
Dene Mackenzie is in Wellington this week.
