http://www.rte.ie/news/elections2007/thehub_programmes_primetime_av.html?2248827,null,230

My housemate suggested it was a witch in a McDowell mask and that she hadn’t pulled the mask all the way down.

And it seemed that McDowell was more concerned about putting the wind the few hundred voters who live in his constituency and who work in the IFSC than the fact that most voters could care less if the state takes a few hundred million of the banks. No one likes the bankers Michael.

Also, what was the deal with McDowell’s shadow goatee when speaking at the podium? It was very pointy and everything, like a twenties silent movie villain.

This was on display for everyone to see any time he raised his hands.

Pat Rabbitee stuck to his bullet points did not say much.

McDowell was occasionally brilliant. Ran the show. Some of the lines and come backs were awe inspiring it was 3 against 1 and he whipped the Rabbitee and Adams. When Adams went off on a tangent of the north. McDowell brought him back on it. Got him on drugs as well.

Trevor was the only one to make any points on McDowell. was damaged by the camera work I think made some great points off camera. Nailed McDowell on the greens being the only people to drop Business tax. Kept his points simple with examples. kept it logically. By far the most likely to win over swaying voters of the three. Who cares about points written on his hand. More eco friendly and lets admit more realistic then some sheets handed to him by P.R people like Adams and Rabbitee

Sargent 9/10
McDowell 8/10
Rabbitee 4/10
Adams 1/10
Little 1/infinity

It was amazing that Adams was the only one who actually used the word ‘rural’ during the entire debate. Sargent complained about addicts in the North East having to travel to Enfield but didn’t pass comment on people from Donegal or the Aran Islands having to travel to Dublin for far more common ailments. Adams also scored points for being the one who didn’t get bogged down in the details most people could care about (I imagine that this had something to do with the fact that he didn’t know the details) and he made sure to mention the peace process at every turn. He was the only one who sounded like he wasn’t in the L&H and he really has mastered the dramatic pause. And for shame, he was the only person who mentioned suicide.

McDowell came off as smarmy, childish and negative, but more importantly, he came across as being different to the other parties, which will appeals to certain parties. He played the green party/ labour party differences for everything they were worth and then some. Got some good shots in on Adams, but honestly, negative campaigning doesn’t come any worse. He avoided Bertiegate like the plague.