Lucinda Creighton & Fine Gael's Failure

[kkkenny]

Speaking as a Dublin Fine Gael member - who voted NO - I would like to discuss the role played by Fine Gael in the Treaty debate. I feel this is more important than it looks; as Fine Gael is the party most associated with being pro-EU (I make the distinction with Europe which I interrupt politically as the vast majority of us still being pro-EEC) yet it was in Fine Gael heartlands (including Mr. Kenny's own constituency) that were most against the treaty. The question arises whether Fine Gael supporters - whether lower middle class, middle class-types in the cities, and well-off farmers in the country - are the largest identifiable party politically affiliated group who are against further European integration. I make this comment on the basis of at least Mr. Cowan's constituency followed his thinking in voting yes.

If this is, at it seems likely, to be the case then it really seems that Fine Gael is loosing even futher meaning for those of us that vote for them.

Personally, as someone who is mildly active in the party, I found two things most disturbing: Lucinda Creighton as a choice of a campaign manager and "face" of the party which - from talking to fellow FG voters - is seen as a new cynical, immoral, grotty type who has joined the party after the pervious election and is using it as a vehicle for their own careerist egos, and thus not reflective of traditional respectable Fine Gael values. I back this up by bringing attention to the shame which she has brought on her party, and nation, as reported in the Washington Times of the 30th April.

Secondly, it is no surprise to learn that such low-brow behaviour stems from the same stable as the childish willy-waving posters: YFG. One thing the party is correct on is at least distancing itself from the wanna-be baby blueshirts. I think their campaign, and it's management, speaks for itself. The No vote is another timely reminder of their failure to connect with younger voters in a mature fashion one would expect from any political organisation. They even achieved making the anit-abortionists of looking like a credible group to believe.

[irishpeoplearewhingers]

creighton is a disgrace and is clearly a traitor to her own country.

[rockofcashel]

Speaking as a Dublin Fine Gael member - who voted NO - I would like to discuss the role played by Fine Gael in the Treaty debate. I feel this is more important than it looks; as Fine Gael is the party most associated with being pro-EU (I make the distinction with Europe which I interrupt politically as the vas majority of us still being pro-EEC) yet it was in Fine Gael heartlands (including Mr. Kenny's own constituency) that were most against the treaty. The question arises whether Fine Gael supporters - whether lower middle class, middle class-types in the cities, and well-off farmers in the country - are the largest identifiable party politically affiliated group who are against further European integration. I make this comment on the basis of at least Mr. Cowan's constituency followed his thinking in voting yes.

If this is, at it seems likely, to be the case then it really seems that Fine Gael is loosing even futher meaning for those of us that vote for them.

Personally, as someone who is mildly active in the party, I found tow things most disturbing: Lucinda Creighton as a choice of a campaign manager and "face" of the party which - from talking to fellow FG voters - is seen as a new cynical, immoral, grotty type who has joined the party after the pervious election and is using it as a vehicle for their own careerist egos, and thus not reflective of traditional respectable Fine Gael values. I back this up by bringing attention to the shame which she has brought on her party, and nation, as reported in the Washington Times of the 30th April.

Secondly, it is no surprise to learn that such low-brow behaviour stems from the same stable as the childish willy-waving posters: YFG. One thing the party is correct on is at least distancing itself from the wanna-be baby blueshirts. I think their campaign, and it's management, speaks for itself. The No vote is another timely reminder of their failure to connect with younger voters in a mature fashion one would expect from any political organisation. They even achieved making the anit-abortionists of looking like a credible group to believe.

Hmm .. do I hear the sound of knives being sharpened..

[Supermanpolitician]

creighton is a disgrace and is clearly a traitor to her own country.

FFS - get over yourself!

[goosebump]

Speaking as a Dublin Fine Gael member - who voted NO - I would like to discuss the role played by Fine Gael in the Treaty debate. I feel this is more important than it looks; as Fine Gael is the party most associated with being pro-EU (I make the distinction with Europe which I interrupt politically as the vas majority of us still being pro-EEC) yet it was in Fine Gael heartlands (including Mr. Kenny's own constituency) that were most against the treaty. The question arises whether Fine Gael supporters - whether lower middle class, middle class-types in the cities, and well-off farmers in the country - are the largest identifiable party politically affiliated group who are against further European integration. I make this comment on the basis of at least Mr. Cowan's constituency followed his thinking in voting yes.

If this is, at it seems likely, to be the case then it really seems that Fine Gael is loosing even futher meaning for those of us that vote for them.

Personally, as someone who is mildly active in the party, I found tow things most disturbing: Lucinda Creighton as a choice of a campaign manager and "face" of the party which - from talking to fellow FG voters - is seen as a new cynical, immoral, grotty type who has joined the party after the pervious election and is using it as a vehicle for their own careerist egos, and thus not reflective of traditional respectable Fine Gael values. I back this up by bringing attention to the shame which she has brought on her party, and nation, as reported in the Washington Times of the 30th April.

Secondly, it is no surprise to learn that such low-brow behaviour stems from the same stable as the childish willy-waving posters: YFG. One thing the party is correct on is at least distancing itself from the wanna-be baby blueshirts. I think their campaign, and it's management, speaks for itself. The No vote is another timely reminder of their failure to connect with younger voters in a mature fashion one would expect from any political organisation. They even achieved making the anit-abortionists of looking like a credible group to believe.

Very perceptive.

I think this demonstrates that there is a big difference between the FG that has grown out of the college campuses and the rural, conservative FG that has existed since the foundation of the State.

Personally, people like Gay Mithcell, Brian Hayes and Leo Varadkar appeal to me, but I wouldn't vote for someone like Jimmy Deenihan or Michael Ring in a blind fit.

However, I wouldn't read to much in to it. FG need to let the Government worry about the Lisbon backwash now and go back to being an Opposition party. They did their bit and are to be commended for it.

The only lasting effect will be that Enda Kenny's reputation within FG has been damaged, in that he didn't come off well compared to Eamon Gilmore or Brian Cowen.

[Fr. Hank Tree]

creighton is a disgrace and is clearly a traitor to her own country.

Treason - the violation of allegiance to one's sovereign.
How has Ms Creighton done this?

[Supermanpolitician]

creighton is a disgrace and is clearly a traitor to her own country.

Treason - the violation of allegiance to one's sovereign.
How has Ms Creighton done this?

Hey Fr Hank - long time no see. These guys are just trolling. More anti FG trolling.

[irishpeoplearewhingers]

creighton is a disgrace and is clearly a traitor to her own country.

Treason - the violation of allegiance to one's sovereign.
How has Ms Creighton done this?

Hey Fr Hank - long time no see. These guys are just trolling. More anti FG trolling.

Correct. I do actually believe that FG are traitors.

[kkkenny]

creighton is a disgrace and is clearly a traitor to her own country.

Treason - the violation of allegiance to one's sovereign.
How has Ms Creighton done this?

Hey Fr Hank - long time no see. These guys are just trolling. More anti FG trolling.

It's exactly this thyp of childish schoolyard name calling that makes the average voter think "self-regarding ret*rd when an socially inept YFG member approaches them on the street, or at their home. If you don't want to deal with the issues put before put your sausage fingers in your ears and say "NO".

[The Earl of Desmond]

The YFG campaign was great - it was fun and informative and exactly what a young politicla wing's campaign should be.

Also I don't think the vote was in any way a vote on FG. I voted No but my views on FG had nothign to do with it at all and if there were a gen election called I'd gladly go out working for FG.

That's not to say FG didn't make mistakes as clearly we did. There was no need at all for FG to run such an active campaign and were on earth did the money to pay for it come from!

All FG hd to do was ask FG supporters to vote Yes and let lose a few heavy hitters on Q&A etc and if FF tried to blame FG then it should immedaitely remind FF that it is FF in gov not FG and that if it were the otherway around FF would be opportunistically opposing it and in any case FF didn't do a tap all campign. Public meetings! Gimme a break, where were the FF leaflets, where were the FF heavy hitters - opps of course there are none.

Creighton was a disaster - her voice is like nails on a blackboard. As soon as she opens her mouth and that pretend sincere D4 accent comes out it is a total turn off and then on top of that she was simply not up to the job. As usual having dyed blonde hair and a large chest seems to get you far in FG - never mind the lack of talent look at the dyed hair and fake tan.