Can we expect a 'HEAVE' against Bertie?

[drjimryan]

Hi all...just perusing the papers...some soundings from the 'dissident' gang from the summer....seems they are a bit jittery and concerned.


Funny thing is that this dissident gang are relatively electorally safe...its the 15-20 others in big trouble who seem quiet....

So has the teflon expired or will the thought of no pension...for some..... keep the whole raft afloat?

[martin TYRONE]

Its better for the opposition that he stays---the only thing Enda seems too have going for him is that he isnt Bertie Ahern----Its better for FF if he goes----there won't be any heave until the next election when he is fecked out by the populace

[Sidewinder]

Shades of the Tony & Gordon Show over the water. Biffo could probably oust him right now and maybe even save FF's skin at the next election (new leader, Albert-style massive reshuffle, it just might work).

But does he have the balls to go for it, or is he going to play a long waiting game like Brown, who could have been British PM a year ago by now, and who IMO has been badly damaged by not acting decisively sooner? And the longer he waits, the more time Hanafin and Dermo have to push the notion of themselves as alternatives.

They only have a few weeks to decide. By Halloween it'll be too late and they're stuck with Bertie for the election.

[FutureTaoiseach]

Shades of the Tony & Gordon Show over the water. Biffo could probably oust him right now and maybe even save FF's skin at the next election (new leader, Albert-style massive reshuffle, it just might work).

But does he have the balls to go for it, or is he going to play a long waiting game like Brown, who could have been British PM a year ago by now, and who IMO has been badly damaged by not acting decisively sooner? And the longer he waits, the more time Hanafin and Dermo have to push the notion of themselves as alternatives.

They only have a few weeks to decide. By Halloween it'll be too late and they're stuck with Bertie for the election.

Biffo is NOT the right man to secure the female and gay votes. Brian Lenihan or Mary Hanafin are my nominations.

[KeithM]

I would have thought that if any party were going to have a heave right now, then it would be Fine Gael. They have a leader who trails Ahern by a long distance in the polls and in an increasingly presidential style general elections, he is a liability. The problem is that its hard to see anyone better in the party right now and it suits serious future contenders like Coveney and Olivia Mitchell to keep their powder dry until after the election, when Kenny will probably be history.

[Sidewinder]

Biffo is NOT the right man to secure the female and gay votes. Brian Lenihan or Mary Hanafin are my nominations.

Spin, focus groups, spin, spin and spin.

That's all you've got, isn't it?

Muppet.

Damn, I'll be glad when the Age of Spin comes to an end and we can shoot all the marketdroids and PRdrones.

[BarryW]

I would have thought that if any party were going to have a heave right now, then it would be Fine Gael

God Keith you're gas!

[DSCH]

Biffo is NOT the right man to secure the female and gay votes. Brian Lenihan or Mary Hanafin are my nominations.

Spin, focus groups, spin, spin and spin.

That's all you've got, isn't it?

Muppet.

Damn, I'll be glad when the Age of Spin comes to an end and we can shoot all the marketdroids and PRdrones.

Biffo will be death at the polls. Great gas in private, but comes across as tired intolerant and grumpy. He's no Mona Lisa either. Brian Lenihan is surley the most able FF politician both in terms of intelligence and as a communicator but is too talented and not bent enough for Ahern's liking.

[FutureTaoiseach]

The next leader should be fairly photogenic. He should also be screened to make sure he doesn't have "a history". A Taoiseach with "a history" is just a ticking political and electoral timebomb. As such the less experience he has maybe the better. Michael Mulcahy is another possibility entering my head.

[President Bartlet]

I don't think there will be any heave against Bertie - it all depends if his dealings with the tribunal start to get worse - but FF should be careful - any heave would have to come quick because if they leave it n e later it will not be enough for a new leader to get their head into the job and connect with the electorate.
But if thinks keep going the way the are I dont think a new leader will help that much - FF look to be heading out of government - Bertie or no Bertie.