Head over to our T
who will we be voting for?
Read more about: Coalition, Democracy, Fianna Fail, Government, Irish Election, Irish Politics, Polls 
If the Taoiseach at any time resigns from office the other members of the Government shall be deemed also to have resigned from office, but the Taoiseach and the other members of the Government shall continue to carry on their duties until their successors shall have been appointed.
Bunreacht na h-Eireann, Article 28.11.1°
I have a question which may not have been raised by the pollsters last week.
“Would you vote for the FF/PD coalition in the next election if you knew that Bertie Ahern would NOT see out the full term as Taoiseach?”
John Major got into Number 10 thanks to the Conservative Party, not the British people. It won’t be long before the same thing happens again when Blair steps aside. What about here?
Do you really think Comrade Bertski would see out a third term? I reckon the question must at least be asked before we next decide who we want leading the country.
Let’s face it; all the inadequacies under the watch of this Government have been negated by the fact that Bertie is a bloody good statesman and representative for our country both home and abroad. I can’t see myself ever voting for his party but even I have to admit that.
So would it be right to vote for the current leadership setup if we knew it probably wouldn’t be the same for the lifetime of the next Dáil? Would the PDs have garnered as many seats in 2002 if they knew “Herr” McDowell would one day be Tánaiste?
I think the Opposition (I may start calling them the “Flopposition” again if things don’t improve) are missing an opportunity to press the Tefloned One about his policital intentions for the years ahead. Perhaps he won’t answer, but it will at least put the thought in people’s minds.
Think about it –
“An Taoiseach Brian Cowen flew to Brussels today…”
“In a statement this morning, Taoiseach Micheal Martin said…”
“First Minister Ian Paisley is to have talks with Taoiseach Willie O’Dea at Stormont next week…”
Ok, that last one is a joke.
I hope.
Would the PDs have garnered as many seats in 2002 if they knew “Herr” McDowell would one day be Tánaiste? Would they have gained more seats as well?
An Taoiseach Dermot Ahern flew to Brussels today. He’s just about the only viable candidate at the moment in FF in my opinion.
The rest can be described as bungalow’s: “nothing upstairs”
Let’s not count Bertie out yet. He’s been very successful in surrounding himself with a band of rather loyal non-leader type subjects. Haughey was right re: His follower, and it wasn’t a comment about Reynold’s at all.
I have a view on the recent poll results. Goes like this:
‘The underdog, the personal attack and the Irish psyche’
The Underdog:
There are a few characteristic’s of Irish people which appear strange when contrasted against the populous of northern Europe or indeed the rest of the known world. Irish people have a deep history of oppression [consciously admitted or not] and service to foreign rulers. The result is that when an underdog or ‘long-shot’ in a race, sporting event or public life wins out over the privileged, perceived oppressors and begrudges Irish people support that person and give their ok, in many cases flying in the face of great adversity.
Media platform’s in Ireland are now more like the US than EU. In ones face and reporting populous garbage. The common people grow tired of the ‘in your face’ approach to journalism.
FF poll increases – on the back of Bertie’s percieved underdog or downtrodden status as being victimised by ‘one close’ to him via a leak from tribunal of enquiry. Irish Time editor and senior political reporter in the dock for [potentially assisting FF] protecting the public interest. Bertie, appears on the news, speaks of his private life, marital issues and more or less owns up to another infraction during his tenure. Anyone [and there are many, who have gone through legal proceedings in a marital breakdown would understand the excessive costs and trauma associated with this type of personal issue]. He repays his debts. Defends his position and proceeds.
The personal attack[s]:
Kicking a person when they are down is never a nice thing. Particularly [as mentioned above] when the subject matter is as emotive or involved innocent parties [family] and efforts have been made to amend a situation, regardless of how grave. One’s own team mates would ‘eject’ an offender of grave issue had the matter been of that nature.
FG/Labour polls drop – Ren and Stimpy (neither of whom I can see as An Taoiseach) flagrantly and very personally attack the person at the centre of the scandal, ad nauseum. Terribly damaging, inconsistent with populous requirement to gain answers. I am surprised neither leader excapeed without some form of repetitive strain injury.
They then publicly ask why the PD partner in government remained silent initially. ‘Because I’m worth it, one to be skin care’ then later piped up re: clarification over a UK public speaking arrangement.
PD poll remained static – Perhaps an increase would have been on the cards had silence been maintained. Poor populous media reporters remain negative on the PD persona of fid def. I view that entirely differently. McDowell did the right thing. The ‘apple tart’ would have been gravely upset had McDowell wanted it to be.
No person wanted a premature election, including the bulk of the opposition. Yet they continued to bleat.
[micro on] “we survived that …” Yes you did.
The Irish psyche:
Better the devil you know …..
Flesh pressing works …..
If you going to kick someone don’t do it so publicly and so brashly and using verbiage that the common man does not comprehend (Mr Rabbitte) and when seeking answers, ask once and don’t bleat so (Mr Kenny) it gives the punters a pain in their face.
I can’t wait till the diggers come up with some dirt on the Labour and FG leaders.
*****
Am not a FF supporter. I am a supporter of good adversarial politics. Recent displays have not been awe inspiring. I have a view that the bulk of next generation ‘swing’ voters are in-fact 25-35 years of age and will support continuity of the existing government on the basis of the next budget and it’s rewards or sensible planning for imminent issues with the property and fiscal capacity of the state.
I have found recent weeks in politics to be tiring, constipated and obstructive.
The common people count, whether we vote with pencils, on-line or fixed eVoting machines.
Jack