Brennan: FF's election focus met be on the economy

[TheChief]

http://www.unison.ie/irish_independe...issue_id=12873

FIANNA Fail needs to focus on the Government's management of the strong economy in the next general election campaign, according to Social Welfare Minister Seamus Brennan.

The minister said the public and media have already decided that the next election will be closely fought, unlike the last general election in 2002, when the result was a foregone conclusion. But he said it was likely that Fianna Fail would lose seats, given the present mood.

The management of the economy would be "main plank" of Fianna Fail's election strategy, as the party would be emphasising its performance in this area.

This is an odd statement from Seamus Brennan.
Private polling done by all parties will be showing that the economy is THE major issue with only 16-20% of the public. Health is the major issue, with even Crime trailing way behind.

Is this an indication that FF believes it cannot win an election where anything other than the economy is the major issue??
Does FF believe that it has already lost the debate on Health ??

[Gladstone]

http://www.unison.ie/irish_independe...issue_id=12873

FIANNA Fail needs to focus on the Government's management of the strong economy in the next general election campaign, according to Social Welfare Minister Seamus Brennan.

The minister said the public and media have already decided that the next election will be closely fought, unlike the last general election in 2002, when the result was a foregone conclusion. But he said it was likely that Fianna Fail would lose seats, given the present mood.

The management of the economy would be "main plank" of Fianna Fail's election strategy, as the party would be emphasising its performance in this area.

This is an odd statement from Seamus Brennan.
Private polling done by all parties will be showing that the economy is THE major issue with only 16-20% of the public. Health is the major issue, with even Crime trailing way behind.

Is this an indication that FF believes it cannot win an election where anything other than the economy is the major issue??
Does FF believe that it has already lost the debate on Health ??

FF: focus on the economy, because were just not good at anything else.

Cheif I think their angle will be the same as it was last time "that shower will wreck the economy", their point apparently being that nothing can be done if the economy is in bits.

[Collinsite]

FF will try to present our marvellous economy as reason enough for re-election.If that doesn't appear to be working expect public money spending sprees on goodies and white elephants the lenght and breadth of the country.This will run in tandem with statements from Biffo proclaiming that there'll be no cutbacks to fund this sudden increase in spending once an FF Government is re-elected.FF will try to buy votes left right and centre. Now that's economics FF style-Spend now think later

Hopefully the alternative will present a more stable and prudent alternative to FF splurge and stealth tax.If they do so they may well win the election while hammering home the point that we've heard it all before in 2002 and paid a harsh price for our troubles.

[Catalpa]

I think SB might just be the first senior politician currently active who is putting a flyer out on the growing disquite about the runaway economic expansion and where its taking us!

Garret raised this a few weeks ago but he is long retired as you all know.

Could be interesting this one!

[cleareyed]

Let the games begin: no pressure on Biffo now is there!

[TheChief]

Cheif I think their angle will be the same as it was last time "that shower will wreck the economy"

This angle worked fro them the last time, but only because the FG economics/finance stance had been completely destroyed by Jim Mitchell. Now that Richard Bruton has undone the damage, it won't be as easy to get away with it.

Also, FG/Labour and the media will not let voters forget that FF lied through their teeth the last time they played this card.

their point apparently being that nothing can be done if the economy is in bits

Nothing was done when the economy ws groqing by 5% pa either!

I doubt that this line would wash with voters anyway.

The Fine Gael campaign on these issues will probably hine on something like "who do you trust to spend your money?"

Fianna Fail should be very scared about the answer that voters would give to that question

[Gladstone]

Indeed I dont' know how they will defend themselves this time, nobody will beleive a word they say, the FF manifesto will be as good as tolit paper, has anyone noticed when asked what they've accomplished in govt they always talk about stuff that was actually done in the 1997-2002 period?