Any FGers Depressed?

[raylimerick]

Any FG posters willing to admit that they are (slightly) in trouble? Lets face it Enda is not cutting it with JOE PUBLIC and that will mean u will not make 30 seats - no govt - Another 5 years of opposition- Will that be terminal decline?

Anyone willing to give a view how ye get out of this "paralysis". I don't want to overestimate one opinion poll, but lads ye should be doing much better at mo. FF have the SSIA coming at ye and will no doubt be ready to bribe the electrote ala 2002!

[aodh_rua]

I'm far from depressed and I'd say most of the FG posters here feel every bit as upbeat as I do.

You say that Enda isn't cutting it with Joe Public - I'd definitely disagree, we recently had him down to Newbridge and the reaction on the streets was overwhelmingly positive and enthusiastic. Don't let yourself get fooled by the media and their critical analyses. Bertie was equally slated when he lead the opposition and yet now he's seen as FF's greatest asset. A lot of that has stemmed from by-passing the press and going for a literal hands-on get-out-and-meet-em attitude. Enda is doing likewise and reaping the benefit.

However, even if that were not the case, Enda has been enormously successful at firing up the grassroots and by championing young candidates in the locals, we now have a strong set of fresh, capable faces who will contrast with the middle-aged FF fixers that compose most of the backbenches on the government side. This will become increasingly apparent as we tie up the remaining conventions and let our candidates loose on the campaign trail.

You say that there's a chance of terminal decline if we don't return to government. Maybe we won't - but on a bad day we'll bring an extra 15 faces to the Dáil many of whom will be hungry and ambitious. If they're back in, FF will lead a far less stable government than of late with the issue of Bertie's successor creating internal divides not to mention tensions with whichever suitor swaps principles for Mercs and joins their coalition. It'll be like the final days of the Tories, and because so much of the FF machine is based around the local person not the party (think Kildare North or Mayo) there is a real issue that whenever FF are ejected there could be a collapse in their organisation.

Lastly - the SSIA's: by the time the people finally get their own money back I doubt they'll spare a moment to thank FF. I really think that because the press are peddling the potential bounce from the SSIA money for so long the 'Joe Publics' are becoming increasingly cynical about any FF to use the scheme for electoral success - but you can never underestimate the power of a few quid.

So in conclusion! There hasn't been a better or more optimistic time to be in Fine Gael since Garret.

[rockofcashel]

I'm far from depressed and I'd say most of the FG posters here feel every bit as upbeat as I do.

You say that Enda isn't cutting it with Joe Public - I'd definitely disagree, we recently had him down to Newbridge and the reaction on the streets was overwhelmingly positive and enthusiastic. Don't let yourself get fooled by the media and their critical analyses. Bertie was equally slated when he lead the opposition and yet now he's seen as FF's greatest asset. A lot of that has stemmed from by-passing the press and going for a literal hands-on get-out-and-meet-em attitude. Enda is doing likewise and reaping the benefit.

However, even if that were not the case, Enda has been enormously successful at firing up the grassroots and by championing young candidates in the locals, we now have a strong set of fresh, capable faces who will contrast with the middle-aged FF fixers that compose most of the backbenches on the government side. This will become increasingly apparent as we tie up the remaining conventions and let our candidates loose on the campaign trail.

You say that there's a chance of terminal decline if we don't return to government. Maybe we won't - but on a bad day we'll bring an extra 15 faces to the Dáil many of whom will be hungry and ambitious. If they're back in, FF will lead a far less stable government than of late with the issue of Bertie's successor creating internal divides not to mention tensions with whichever suitor swaps principles for Mercs and joins their coalition. It'll be like the final days of the Tories, and because so much of the FF machine is based around the local person not the party (think Kildare North or Mayo) there is a real issue that whenever FF are ejected there could be a collapse in their organisation.

Lastly - the SSIA's: by the time the people finally get their own money back I doubt they'll spare a moment to thank FF. I really think that because the press are peddling the potential bounce from the SSIA money for so long the 'Joe Publics' are becoming increasingly cynical about any FF to use the scheme for electoral success - but you can never underestimate the power of a few quid.

So in conclusion! There hasn't been a better or more optimistic time to be in Fine Gael since Garret.

God love you Aodh, but I thought magic mushrooms had been banned last week.

[aodh_rua]

Ah - just the adrenalin rush of Fine Gael! Plus I'm just in from a fiery meeting of the local football club - nothing like the GAA to get you going.

[DaveDublin]

Empty Enda just ain't doing it!

[qtman]

I'm far from depressed and I'd say most of the FG posters here feel every bit as upbeat as I do.

Textbook denial....

You say that Enda isn't cutting it with Joe Public - I'd definitely disagree, we recently had him down to Newbridge and the reaction on the streets was overwhelmingly positive and enthusiastic.

Contestants from You're a Star get this kind of treatment; it doesn't mean people want them to be Taoiseach.

Don't let yourself get fooled by the media and their critical analyses.

Just watch the polls...

...we now have a strong set of fresh, capable faces

whom voters wouldn't trust with their cat

You say that there's a chance of terminal decline if we don't return to government. Maybe we won't - but on a bad day we'll bring an extra 15 faces to the Dáil many of whom will be hungry and ambitious.

..and completely inept.

Lastly - the SSIA's: by the time the people finally get their own money back I doubt they'll spare a moment to thank FF. I really think that because the press are peddling the potential bounce from the SSIA money for so long the 'Joe Publics' are becoming increasingly cynical about any FF to use the scheme for electoral success - but you can never underestimate the power of a few quid.

Yes, voters really appreciate that Government spending is their money, which is why the Government never gets a bounce in the polls when the announce tax cuts or extra spending.

So in conclusion! There hasn't been a better or more optimistic time to be in Fine Gael since Garret.

Who was really a Labour Party Taoiseach....

[RBinge]

Sorry to depress our opponents but we're too busy working :wink:

[UltraExtremeFarLeft]

Even for Ireland, FG are too right wing.

With bus compitition and abaondon neutrality, they should just rename the party "I can't beleive it's not the PDs...Gael"

[Trefor]

Even for Ireland, FG are too right wing.

With bus compitition and abaondon neutrality, they should just rename the party "I can't beleive it's not the PDs...Gael"

I wonder if you're the worst poster here. Admittedly there's some pretty fierce competition, but you're there or there about.

[sean1]

Even for Ireland, FG are too right wing.

With bus compitition and abaondon neutrality, they should just rename the party "I can't beleive it's not the PDs...Gael"

I wonder if you're the worst poster here. Admittedly there's some pretty fierce competition, but you're there or there about.

I am surprised you are saying this Trefor. Are you in any political party in Ireland?