KEY POINTS:
John Key thinks he's a bit like Barack Obama. Others aren't so sure.
The National Party leader compared himself to the Democratic Party presidential contender in Britain's Financial Times newspaper - prompting derision from readers on the Herald's website and his political rival Helen Clark.
"I'm a bit like Obama," Mr Key said in the interview published yesterday. "I am not institutionalised in Wellington."
Helen Clark shot back at her post-Cabinet press conference yesterday: "For Mr Key, a rather wooden speaker at the best of times, to compare himself to one of the most gifted orators of our time is simply preposterous."
But at the launch of National's first election billboard in Parnell, 47-year-old Mr Key said he made the comments in the context that both he and Mr Obama were new in politics, the same age, and not institutionalised.
They were born just a few days apart. He had spent six years in Wellington while Mr Obama had spent four in Washington.
The Financial Times called Mr Key "young, smart and rich" but warned that if he beat Helen Clark he would be the most inexperienced politician to lead New Zealand in over a century.
The paper said friends and critics alike pointed out that there were whole areas of government about which Mr Key knew "little or nothing" but they also said he was a fast learner.
Herald online reader Samuel Darling, of Palmerston North, said Mr Key was nothing like Mr Obama.
"You only have to look as far as to their opinions on welfare and the geopolitical situation ... experience and social involvement in the community is also something that John Key lacks, while Obama is more able to talk openly about any topic at any time with confidence."
A Blockhouse Bay correspondent agreed they were similar "in that they both came from poor backgrounds and they're both running for office".
But that was about where it ended.
"To me, Obama is an inspiration. You can tell he is passionate about his causes and truly believes in what he is advocating. John Key on the other hand is about as genuine as a Mel Gibson apology."
STAR ADVICE
* John Key was born on August 9, 1961 while Barack Obama was born on August 4 that year, which makes them both Leos.
* Words of advice for that star sign on yesterday's Herald website included; "Sweeping statements no longer carry weight. Detailed information is what people are looking for and there must be purpose behind every point you make."
