Mara and Gleeson will head up FF's crack election team

[gaelach]

Fine Gael havent won an election since 1982 but Fine Gael are under no illusions about the task they face or their electorial history.

I`m lost. (according to you) Fianna Fáil have not won a GE since 1977 (Presumably because they haven't had an overall majorty), By that Logic Fine Gael (never having a overall majorty) never wona an election........

Anything else is double standards.....

[The Earl of Desmond]

What short memories you have - FF didn't win in 97 - Labour lost it for the Rainbow. In 2002 FG lost it and it is not quite correct to say FF ran a brilliant campaign as much as it is to say FG were pathetic and so unprofessional the mind boggles. None of that applies this time. FG have as much moeny as FF, they have a completely professional media office and they are desperately hungry to win wereas FF are old and tired and tainted and the more people see of Bertie the more they'll be reminded of the state of their schools or roads or hospitals etc and the more Bertie promises to sort things the more people will see him for what he is.

[The Earl of Desmond]

Fg don't judge success the same way as FF - FG last 'won' in 94 even tho there wasn't an election and in the sense that FF's only goals are to be in power and in power on its own then it hasnt won since 77. But the second part is that as long as FF is in power thats all that matters so in 89 it was PD policies in 92 it was Lab policies and since 97 it has been PD policies - there are no policy issues from FF. FF don't care as long as they are in power.

[JackLynchMob]

I think Bertie was right to go the distance and not call the election until an Dáil had played out almost its full 5 years. This is the type of approach with aids stability, an antidote to the instability of the 80s when we had an election every 12 months.

[Deep Throat]

. On the stump and on TV, the Taoiseach will come out punching, for an omnipresent, barnstorming three weeks.

is that what he was doing yesterday??? punching and barnstorming??

he ran away from the media and the public yesterday

[White Horse]

I think Bertie was right to go the distance and not call the election until an Dáil had played out almost its full 5 years. This is the type of approach with aids stability, an antidote to the instability of the 80s when we had an election every 12 months.

I do agree that the government seeing out it's full term is a good idea.

As for stability, if one votes FF there is uncertainty as to what type of government we would we get.

Will it be a FF/PD government implementing Thatcherite PD policy?
Will it be a FF/DF government implementing Marxist policy?

There could even be other combinations; FF/Greens, FF/Labour etc.

At least if people vote FG they know what they will get. A joint policy document has already been prepared with the Labour party.

That is what I call stability.

[Príomh Aire]

10 years of FFailure will finally end-no amount of Mara spin can save you.Its pityful that you have to bring Haughey's boy to win you the election.The "so-called" soldiers of destiny will receive yheir marching orders"

[Limerick Lad]

For a "crack" team they're not dong such a great job so far, disastrous first day for FF.

[FLESHPRESSER]

[quote=Deep Throat]

. On the stump and on TV, the Taoiseach will come out punching, for an omnipresent, barnstorming three weeks.

is that what he was doing yesterday??? punching and barnstorming??

he ran away from the media and the public yesterday

[/quote:32ksx2d2]Ah give him a chance. This is the warm up. A million handshakes loom.