de·ni·al noun \di-ˈnī(-ə)l, dē-\

2 a (1) : refusal to admit the truth or reality (as of a statement or charge) (2) : assertion that an allegation is false b : refusal to acknowledge a person or a thing : disavowal 3 : the opposing by the defendant of an allegation of the opposite party in a lawsuit 4 : self-denial 5 : negation in logic

6 : a psychological defense mechanism in which confrontation with a personal problem or with reality is avoided by denying the existence of the problem or reality — in denial : refusing to admit the truth or reality of something unpleasant <a patient in denial about his health problems>

For example…

Outgoing NSW Labor MP and minister Joe Tripodi, Sky News, Saturday:

“I don’t think the media have been doing the Labor Party any favours since the election of Morris Iemma as premier…

“I think from that point on, both in the last state election and in this state election, they have played a very big role.

“…The reality is the way NSW is being described is not supported by the facts. Australia generally and NSW in particular have been run very well.”

Also known as reason #345 why the swing against the NSW Labor government will come in at more than 16% — one percentage point for every year in office. What symmetry.