The Backing begins

Names are not already forward but already people are saying who they will be backing. While everything I have read on the internet so far seems behind O’Donnell. (Is their a youth vote in there for the PDs? ). The party is going to be what decides. In their system 40% of the total vote comes from TDs and Senators. The rank-and-file membership has 30% of the vote, while the remaining 30% goes to the national executive and the party’s councillors across the country.


First up Tim O’Malley backs McDowell as Harney’s replacement.

Next up: Tom Parlon in a shock moment of humbleness backs himself. Also pointing out that 1000 of the 3000 members of the PD’s are in Laois Offaly. Does that make him a player? Parlon claims strong support in leadership race.

Next up: Michael Brennan weighs in behind McDowell for PDs leadership. Is this the McDowell camp coming out early hoping to make O’Donnell think twice about running? The games are afoot.

Now: Deputy Noel Grealish and Senators Tom Morrissey and Kate Walsh join the McDowell camp.

On RTE News at one. Bobby Molloy backs McDowell. Looks like this could be over before it begins.

More: Martin Doonan, a former PD local election candidate in Sligo, backs Michael McDowell but says Tom Parlon would help them shed their “D4 image.”

Still more: Is it all over? With various TD’s coming out in his favour and bookmakers stopping taking bets is it all over. Although our poll and other polls show a clear favourtism for Liz. As I said only the party matters and they are looking only one way.

Bookmaker suspends betting on PD leadership race:

Those shrewd punters who backed Michael McDowell at 2/1 yesterday and early this morning must be counting their money, which we estimate at a figure approaching €30,000.

Needless to say the genius in Paddy Power who came up with those odds is now making the tea.