How can Kenny become more Taoiseach-like?

[corelli]

He just isn't bright enough full stop.

That just is not true. He is HUGELY intelligent, but fails, time after time, to put it across on the television. He just does not have IT in terms of media personality. He is a bit like pat kenny, good on radio but an absolute and total wooden muppet on television. He gets tongue tied, forgets his place and generally cannot speak off the cuff.

I was watching Taoiseach's questions all this and last week and when he could have absolutely had the Government on the ropes in terms of the shambolic budget, he could never land a punch. Gilmore was the star of the show, hands down.

He has no got, in that overused but apt phrase, star quality. Mini-Bruton would make a far more effective communicator. He is an excellent communicator and totally on top of his brief.

[Question R24U]

But Enda has a perception problem - he is seen as a lightweight, he talks of Lighthouse keepers in his keynote speeches, he qualifies everything he says by 10 word introductions, he is viewed as neither "qualifed nor able".

[Kiss]

Enda needs to get more agressive. Like when he gives party speeches. He should get NLP lessons.

[alonso]

He sometimes comes across as over-advised and as a result constrained. LEave him alone for a while to tell us what he really thinks and let him speak on tv as people tell us he does in person. And if that fails, then at least Enda Kenny has failed and not some backroom FG creation. I get that impression anyway - one of suppressed intelligence, charisma and gravitas

[Retired Tallyman]

The obvious answer is -become taoiseach and the gravitas will follow. But i want to see if anyone has any advice to to get him there by projecting a more professional image. This week he has successfully managed the media by staying out of it and delegating roles to those more competant on specific issues. He should stress that his role as leader will be more as a chairman rather than chief but he should cut down that front bench to about 8 big hitters. He should avoid on the hoof interviews were his folksy charm betrays him. He should tell his frontbench attendees at press conferences what he intends to say. He should try and set the agenda rather than follow the irish times/morning ireland agenda. All of these points as obvious so why is he not doing them?

Hmmmmm will Darren Gibson be the new Roy Keane or Liam Brady? As they say in the country. You can't beat breeding, if its not in there it can't come out.
Seriously if talking about a serious opposition Taoiseach then Richard bruton is the only choice. People know my views on Simon Coveney who did a wonderful job in losing last election for FG. Brian Hayes is a whiner and did u see him preening on tv at the old folks march the other day. VAradker is too young. James Reilly is well............ James Reilly, and DEFINITELY would be a horrendous choice. Mairead McGuinness did not get elected. Phil Fax Hogan mucked up last election by being selfish in Carlow KK and 32 % FG vote/ 1 seat. Olive an Olywyn are not made of material but I reckon Sarkosy would talk to Taoiseach Enright ok.
Denis Naughton and Fergus O'Dowd need a few more years, Charlie Flanagan needs a few less,. Alan Shatter needs Rural communication course and that really leaves Bruton who does not shape like he wants it but would be good. Alternative it could be shared between Michael Ring and.......... John Deasy!!!!!!!!
Looks like Enda is yer man ok.

[johnboy]

But Enda has a perception problem - he is seen as a lightweight, he talks of Lighthouse keepers in his keynote speeches, he qualifies everything he says by 10 word introductions, he is viewed as neither "qualifed nor able".

Well the same could be said off Bertie before he took the FF mantle and became taoiseach. On the other hand, much was made of Biffo before he took the mantle and he has turned out to be a total disaster.

Perhaps too much is made of perception and not enough on substance.

[michael1965]

He sometimes comes across as over-advised and as a result constrained. LEave him alone for a while to tell us what he really thinks and let him speak on tv as people tell us he does in person. And if that fails, then at least Enda Kenny has failed and not some backroom FG creation. I get that impression anyway - one of suppressed intelligence, charisma and gravitas

I think you're quite right there. And it's some of the advisers that need the chop before Kenny himself. At the last election, they really made a fool of him, with the hair-do in particular. There was also an incident on a Dublin local radio station, that brought it home to me.

[Dasayev]

When RTÉ hold their election debate (whenever that is - perhaps weeks or years away) he should not take part in a Cowen versus Kenny head-to-head.

He should insist on every party leader attending the debate instead. So the it would include - Cowen, Kenny, Gilmore, Gormley and Adams. None of this small debate and big debate that we had at the last election.

[lostexpectation]

get some physio on his neck

[JollyRedGiant]

Look like Brian Cowen