What type of Taoiseach would Enda be?

[hiding behind a poster]

Drat. But this one will have very close scrutiny and FG's plan for greater cuts than those proposed by the government should get greater coverage. This will provide cover for the finance act. Maybe it is just me, but the pressure on Enda must be huge for this speech.

He's a party leader. The pressure's always huge. In 2003 it was "can he show people the party has a future", in 2004 it was "can he take advantage of FF's unpopularity with the locals approaching", in 2005 it was "can he sustain the improvement", in 2006 it was "how can he compete with FF throwing goodies around", and in 2007 it was "can he make this speech a springboard for the election".

In all cases the answer was "Yes".

[Supermanpolitician]

He's a party leader. The pressure's always huge. In 2003 it was "can he show people the party has a future", in 2004 it was "can he take advantage of FF's unpopularity with the locals approaching", in 2005 it was "can he sustain the improvement", in 2006 it was "how can he compete with FF throwing goodies around", and in 2007 it was "can he make this speech a springboard for the election".

In all cases the answer was "Yes".

Agreed.
What upsets FF is that this is the first time in years that FG are not only likely, but almost certain to have a more successful election than FF.