Rise in Sinn Fein support?

[Socialist]

I was at the Longoford - Westmeath match on Sunday and afterwards I got into a discussion with people from both Willie Penrose's and Donnie Cassidy's election teams and both of them have reported a significant surge in support for Paul Hogan of Sinn Fein on the door steps around the area - some of them are even considering betting on Hogan to get the forth seat at the last count. How did we all under estimate this support for Sinn Fein in the area - I know 50 years ago it would have been considered a strong Repulican area - have they not gone away?

[whooley]

Hogan has the run of the two counties to himself. A lot will depend on how Athlone backs him I'd say.

[rockofcashel]

While I don't know the lie of the land that well in Longford, I have detected myself on my own canvass, that there is a perceptible rise in goodwill in general towards SF. When you start hearing comments like "six months ago, you wouldn't even have got a tick, but you'll get something now", you sense that there is definitely a rise in support.

Here's hoping Paul, like all other SF candidates do well.

One thing that struck me today, is that this will be an historic election. The two and a half party system of politics in Ireland, is on the way out. For good.

This election will see both SF and the Greens finally make significant breakthroughs, which will allow both to build solid political platforms into the future.

And the PD's will all but disappear.

[B. Ahern]

Hi Rock
When you can will you get Gerry Kelly to contact the girls and get them to issue a statememnt and hand back the money


I Mar Price
do solemenly sware not to bomb again and hand back illegal gains

I Dolly Price
do solemenly sware not to bomb again and hand back illegal gains

are we likely to hear this today girls

[iceman]

My sister lives in Mullingar and works with Paul and says that he has got a chance, an outside bet who is getting a large piece of the young vote. They are sitting on about 3,000 or so since 2004 and Paul has the run of Athlone.

[Iarmhi Gael]

I am out in Westmeath on the doors and certainly large Republican votes around Killucan, Multifarnham and in the Towns all former FF strongholds will be giving SF a vote on the Ballot.

Only thing against them is the fact that strong SF areas of Delvin & Castlepollard are not in Meath West.

As a result I do not think they are in the running for a seat this time round

[loner]

hope he isnt depending on Gerrys performance on the box last night

[caractacus]

Sinn Féin does not rely on the performance of leaders on the box....theres a lot more work done at the grassroots...and thats why the vote this election will be up....simple as that hard work , done consistently whether elected or not..

[loner]

BUT THEY HAVE no POLICIES

[st333ve]

Their policies focus on the individual, something other parties never mention.
Im sick of parties throwing the population into one big box and saying "we'll cut ur taxes so vote for us"
Also Sinn Fein seem to be the only party that realise that there is life outside of dublin.
Maybe the government needs a more down to earth element to prevent the celtic tiger making dublin twice as big and p1ssing on the rest of ireland.

Gerry Adams isnt a great speaker,and he has been focusing on the north mostly lately (understandably) Mary Lou would have been more qualified to represent the party last night.

Gerry Adams might not have as much knowledge as Rabbitte but from listening to labour the greens and the pd's last night from a neutral viewpoint, the greens came out on top, then labour then SF then the pd's.

The truth is, if a party really wanted to crush SF all they would need to do is to become a republican party, SF are the only one who offer this and it is something that a percentage of people in ireland will always put as a priority.