Is Lenihan the heir apparent to Cowen ?

[cyberianpan]

I'm curious as to who might replace Cowen... the candidates are:

Martin: Old hat but some strong internal support
Dermot Ahern: little support
Hannafin: Surely lapped by Lenihan now?

And Lenihan's solo run at the weekend seemed like a shot across Cowen's bows.

I write this now as I'm not at all sure Cowen will be leading FF going into the next election and may be gone even sooner.

cYp

[Factorem]

No Micheal Martin is.

Lenihan for Tanaiste.

[corelli]

Michael Martin would win in a flash.

Lenihan is out of the running with his handling of the Economy and is too inexperienced. Bo Peep has no internal support base proper. Ahern is hated.

[Factorem]

Do Lenihan and Martin get on? I think they'd make a good pair.

I'd say Lenihan could still make a go at sorting out the economy. He just needs to put on his Mr. Fix-it hat and blame Cowen for suppressing his abilities.

We need two barking bull-dogs in charge. (well, Irish wolf-hounds...)

[Corcaigh33]

Not Lenihan anyway. Martin is from Cork - would automatically preclude him.......

[corelli]

Not Lenihan anyway. Martin is from Cork - would automatically preclude him.......

Yep, Jack Lynch was a Kerryman.

[Factorem]

I'm not a great fan of the Cork accent.

I think Martin would be able to get the whole of Munster behind him. Imagine Lenihan and Martin sitting alongside each other at the Leinster v. Munster match?!

[bogtrotter]

Give Cowan a chance, i believe he has more ability than any of the other contenders for his post....I hate saying it but I believe that Cowan is streets ahead of the rest, even though he is making a mess of things....

[jmcc]

I'm curious as to who might replace Cowen... the candidates are:

Martin: Old hat but some strong internal support
Dermot Ahern: little support
Hannafin: Surely lapped by Lenihan now?

And Lenihan's solo run at the weekend seemed like a shot across Cowen's bows.

I write this now as I'm not at all sure Cowen will be leading FF going into the next election and may be gone even sooner.

If Dempsey is moved to Europe, things should get interesting. Though Cullen in as an alternative reality Jim Hacker would be funny.

Regards...jmcc

[peadarmc]

Lenihan isnt completely done over by the economy and budget! remember who brought down the government with their shoetax budget! yes the same person who went on to lead FG and become Taoiseach!

I wouldnt write him off!

Please God not hannafin! Martin was quite arrogant over Lisbon - id say Ahern is more pragmatic generally and would be better although realistically martin would be frontrunner!

Also to those wondering about lenihan being screwed after Finance post - didnt many write Martin off following his stint in Health and yet here is is in the frontrunner spot! Write no-one off in politics!!