 Most political commentators believe that Helen Clark misjudged the public mood on the alleged spending, calling it "a beltway issue" - that is, of interest only to those who are involved the political process and not of interest to ordinary voters.A TVNZ opinion poll showed a 13% lead to National during the fallout, but other polls showed Labour and National neck and neck.A TV 3 poll around the same time showed Labour ahead on 4 November 2006.