Enda Kenny now the favourite to be our next Taoiseach

[RetiredProvo]

The question is whether this 2% is as far as the sympathy-vote (for Bertie) will go. The Irish people have shown last yr that they don' take the sort of nasty personalised campaign. As Eoin Harris said last yr (I think), we might like to slag off politicians but we don't like them doing it. If it stays as is, it might limit FF losses considerably - aided by a pathetic FG candidate-strategy in places like Clare (4 candidates for 4 seats), Louth (3 candidates for 4 seats) and Kerry South. I think we will not do too bad but if we have a bad election then as much as I respect McDowell a lot (even to the point of being a gr8 fan) he would then probably have to hand the reins over to Liz.

Thats taking that Liz gets re-elected !!

She will.

She will indeed and when the dust settles after the GE when she realises she is the only PD left along with McDowell she will do the honourable thing and join FG. ( Due to irreconcilable policy differences of course )
You can just visualise McDowell presiding over a meeting of the PD parliamentary party on his own and still arguing with himself

[The Trinity Politick]

The question is whether this 2% is as far as the sympathy-vote (for Bertie) will go. The Irish people have shown last yr that they don' take the sort of nasty personalised campaign. As Eoin Harris said last yr (I think), we might like to slag off politicians but we don't like them doing it. If it stays as is, it might limit FF losses considerably - aided by a pathetic FG candidate-strategy in places like Clare (4 candidates for 4 seats), Louth (3 candidates for 4 seats) and Kerry South. I think we will not do too bad but if we have a bad election then as much as I respect McDowell a lot (even to the point of being a gr8 fan) he would then probably have to hand the reins over to Liz.

Thats taking that Liz gets re-elected !!

She will.

She will indeed and when the dust settles after the GE when she realises she is the only PD left along with McDowell she will do the honourable thing and join FG. ( Due to irreconcilable policy differences of course )
You can just visualise McDowell presiding over a meeting of the PD parliamentary party on his own and still arguing with himself

It'll be even funnier when he has his "periods of reflection" with himself

[Fine Gael for government]

The first item on the agenda would still be the split

[DSCH]

How on earth can anyone call Enda wooden or boring?

Because he is.

[the leader]

Today has been the first day where i have felt that the media is beginning to get sympathetic to bertie over these payments. We all really need to move away from this story and concentrate on the issues. I read the F.G manifesto today and i genuinely think it has some very good points which are positive for the country, however every parties policies and ideas are being brushed aside because of the payments scandal. If the election doesn't get back on track, for some strange reason i can see Bertie getting the 'sympathy vote' like he did in bertiegate1.
I think it would be brilliant for the country if there was a change of government - a change for the better. It would do FF no harm to spend 5 years in opposition, it'd be good for democracy in my opinion.
In regard to the question of Enda Kenny making a good taoiseach i think he would. He has transformed himself as a politician and has radically transformed the FG party.
5 years ago who thought we would be within a whisker of gaining power.
Enda hasn't had it easy as leader of FG, from the start some of the media commentators took a dislike to him, referred to him as being a 'lightweight' and generally just didn't give him a chance.
Enda has shown a ruthless streak which is required for leadership, he instantly got rid of Deasy over the smoking ban, he smartly delt with the presidential nomination in 04 and he led a great european election victory.
While bertie was leading the opposition it was claimed that he was not taoiseach material. I think everybody deserves a chance
Hopefully the election will get back to being an election of issues asap, also why couldn't bertie release a statement today and let it over with instead of dragging it out until friday?

[unicorn]

I watched Inda's PP Broadcast tonight and while the clips from the Annual Convention were impressive, his straight-talking to the camera was not.

He spoke as if he was teaching long division to a class of 9-year olds and his eyes looked extremely tired.

This 'signing the contract' thing is a bit clichéd as well.

On a positive note, I had a canvasser for Dr. John Barton (FG) tonight, a fellow doctor and he made a very good impression - no nonsense.

[The Trinity Politick]

I watched Inda's PP Broadcast tonight and while the clips from the Annual Convention were impressive, his straight-talking to the camera was not.

He spoke as if he was teaching long division to a class of 9-year olds and his eyes looked extremely tired.

This 'signing the contract' thing is a bit clichéd as well.

On a positive note, I had a canvasser for Dr. John Barton (FG) tonight, a fellow doctor and he made a very good impression - no nonsense.

Damn. Didn't see it. Anyone have a link?

[stripes]

I watched Inda's PP Broadcast tonight and while the clips from the Annual Convention were impressive, his straight-talking to the camera was not.

He spoke as if he was teaching long division to a class of 9-year olds and his eyes looked extremely tired.

This 'signing the contract' thing is a bit clichéd as well.

On a positive note, I had a canvasser for Dr. John Barton (FG) tonight, a fellow doctor and he made a very good impression - no nonsense.

Damn. Didn't see it. Anyone have a link?

Are we voting for people now on the basis of nice canvassers?? In that case candidtates should stock up their teams with hot girls and cute kids..and those older people who remind you of your grandparents...instant poll topper

[floatingvote]

Bertie is back to being fav on betfair, over 2k backed on him today at 2.32, obviously some big hitters feel the worst is over, he'll get his bounce after stormont tomorrow and he'll have some satisfactory explanations coming out on thursday/friday.

[The Analyser]

Bertie is back to being fav on betfair, over 2k backed on him today at 2.32, obviously some big hitters feel the worst is over, he'll get his bounce after stormont tomorrow and he'll have some satisfactory explanations coming out on thursday/friday.

It is called media manipulation. To give him a positive spin some monied supporters place bets around, in the hope of impacting the odds, so the media can then write about how Bertie's odds have improved. It means didley squat in reality.