General Election 2011

Sadly Hannibal I can see the same result for FF. Already the same excuses are coming in with “they are all the same”, " I would never vote FG" things like that. Its a pity because FF deserve to be wiped out once and for all. One good things the Greens will be gone and will be reduced to a think tank.

Don’t think it’s physically possible for FF to get less than 35 seats

FF have no intention of passing that envoirnmental bill in my opinion, the agri votr is too important to them and besides that we are the only crowd making a few bob for the country at the moment

agreed, around the 40 mark i’d say

Unreal attempt by FF. Can’t believe they thought they’d get away with that. They look fairly pathetic now with the Greens forcing them to back down. And it’s a shambolic situation now… but better that than the crazy alternative.

Absolute nonsense from Cowen with his defence that this wasn’t an orchestrated attempt at a reshuffle:

[indent]"I challenge the politically correct view that it was for the purpose of a stunt. Far from it,” the Taoiseach said.

“I give you my view because what this election is about is the future of the country. What this election is about is that we have the people of talent and ability to put that case.” [/indent]

Press conference from the Greens shortly and they’ll be refuting that fairly strongly. They haven’t had many wins in this government so they’ll claim this one.

Two groups emerge with credit from today’s proceedings:

  • The Greens - Long last they had balls to put it up to FF
  • Rocko - He is the southern equivalent of Ken Reid. He calls it right on a consistent basis and usually well ahead of the game.

Saw Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin criticise Greens for their non appearance at Dail today. Petty and opportunistic from him. Disappointing as some excellent people now in SF.
Shane Coleman was on last word saying Cowen was trying to appoint new ministers so as they can do debates pre election. Said the other night that he wasn’t sure if Lenihan had been backstabbing Cowen. This guy along with few other political commentators seem unable to call a spade a spade.

Rocko is a group?

And the Greens deserve no credit, they rolled over for their entire time in govt. Fuck them. The sooner their destruction comes the better.

I believe he represents a critical mass.
Greens have been way way too gutless indeed. Did well today though and they are one of the better parties in the Dail imo.

:rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes:

i wouldnt rule out them knowing what cowen was up to since last night but not having the political skill to realise the implications and shit that would fly until all hell broke loose inthe media/internet/everywhere this morning, they have let more serious shit than this go

anyweay at least they are finally playing senior hurling now buts its a pity everyone else has gone home and taken the ball with them

[quote=“larryduff, post: 537393”]
I believe he represents a critical mass.
Greens have been way way too gutless indeed. Did well today though and they are one of the better parties in the Dail imo.[/quote]

+1

they will be getting one of my preferences

hopefully FF & FG do shit

hopefully the socialists do shit too- middle class collegians who are left wing in college but revert to type once they get a job- not afraid to get angry about injustices in israel but not a whimper from them when Irish lawyers get murdered by the british state

I take it you will be voting Sinn Fein then? At this stage might as well give them a run at it. The number of TDs should be halved.

That would be a good theory if Paul Gogarty wasn’t on Morning Ireland at 8 this morning saying he was dead against it and having already blogged about it. He did well to judge the reactions in advance.

I think it’s fairly obvious this was sprung on the Greens. Even those who don’t like them, or those who think they’ve been underwhelming at best in this government (I’d put myself in that group) have to concede they did well here.

What went on before isn’t particularly relevant.

SF,Greens,independents

Are people angry enough in Ireland to make real change?

For those lucky enought to be working, the increased taxes in the payslips for January will be a real wake up call. Couple that with an increase in interest rates by the banks over the next few weeks and this will drive tens of thousands of people closer to tipping point.

Real change means radical reform of the political system. There is an appetite for this but who the hell would you trust to bring it about. People dont trust anyone in authority anymore.

:blink: :huh:

What’s the feeling numbers wise for the Dail post election? With Cowen and Lenihan at the helm I’m presuming FF would be decimated. Was talking to a fella from Clare yesterday who reckons that buffoon Dooley is in huge trouble and that his support in East Clare has dried up cos of his inaction on Shannon airport. Hillery being parachuted in from Dublin will probably split the idiotic core vote of FF further. He reckoned McNamara is a serious candidate and could well top the poll with FG getting the other three perhaps. He will probably take the majority of floating votes. The FG candidates arent potential ministerial material and at least McNamara is a bit different. If FF are obliterated in Clare or even barely scramble for the last seat it will be pretty impressive. Clare would typically be a
staunch FF county so if that trend is repeated in the rural constituencies they could be destroyed.

But you will vote for a party whose leader sheltered a paedophile, the party itself has members who have murdered and ordered murders, links to organized crime and failed in it’s attempts to remove the Brits from Norn Iron?

Fair enough if your saying it’s all in the past and we need to look to the future - bit harsh to be slating Labour over inaction twenty years ago as a result.

The leader of Sinn Fein has been accused of ordering the murder of Jean McConville by many sources including former IRA commander Brendan Hughes. I think that’s more of an issue than Labour inaction over a man murdered in a foreign state.