Greens eaten by FG, Labour

All the commentators predicted a big rise in support for the greens. Instead we see a continuing fall off in support with Labour and FG the key beneficiaries. There are a number of reasons for this

1. Trevor Seargeant, while clearly a decent person is a useless leader, looking like an overaged footballer with his ludocrusly wide tie-knot (is he copying Jim McDaid) and his bizarre pontifications re coalition options. His communication skills are limited, as demonstrated by the speech that he shouted at his party's conference earlier this year.

2. Amazingly, a failure to adequately play the green card. It's climate change, stupid. All educated people with their critical faculties intact realise that plans to build new motorways, airports etc are nuts. We must minimize road transport. Yet the greens are backtracking and trying to move to the "centre" on this issue. When the PDs and the "pro growth at all costs" nutters criticize the greens their fightback tends to be to deny the criticism rather than to paint an alternative vision.

3. John Gormly, their No. 2 is not all that impressive either

4. People do not yet have a sufficiently clear view of where they stand on the political spectrum. They are a left wing party and they should be clear about that and proud of it.

5. They are too middle class. The green need to organise in working class areas and go after the votes of the plain peole of Ireland.


Inda Kinny

Despite the polls I don't think Inda will necessarly be next Taoiseach. I still expect a hung Dail. Fine Gael will not pick up all the seats they lost in 02 as theur constituency management is poor. Also their is always the danger that people will realize that Kenny is a closed conservative (notice his pride in his blueshirt and his concessions, on bended knee, to rome re abortion.

Brian Cowen

Recieved wisdom says Brian will be next FF leader, possibly next Taoiseach. I doubt it. He is too rough around the edges, his aggressive style is alienating voters. Notice how the FF slide in polls coincides with berties disappearance into the "Hall of Fame" for failed politicians, and Cowens consequent prominence on radio and TV as the alpha dog of Fianna Fail.

Bertie Ahern made a big mistake by timing the election to coincide with all the hoo ha re the North. Everyday sees him more closely associated than ever with yesterdays men. Ian Paisly. Tony Blair. Now even Bill Clinton. It has all the go of a long drawn out and fond farewell for Bertie Ahern.

Pat Rabbitte

Always lokks like the man in charge when pictured with Enda. Would that Michael McDowells fears about labour were true!