The Worst Taoiseach in State History?

[Macy]

Not sure I would choose Dunphys rants as basic for political argument but I get your point.
Just because Dunphy makes a point, doesn't invalidate it. Christ after all the years you'd expect a politician to deliver a speech without notes - it's hardly the great achievement elements of the media made out (and unscripted me arse). Frankly it's no surprise that he was most comfortable delivering it an enviroment where all FF politicians are in their natural surroundings - a room full of businessmen who have paid for the privledge.

[kingdom hoop]

Christ after all the years you'd expect a politician to deliver a speech without notes - it's hardly the great achievement elements of the media made out (and unscripted me arse).

Yes. As Ruari Quinn remarked last night on Q&A, it's hardly a cause for celebration for a TD since 1984 to make a half-decent speech. He's had a bit of practice like. Still, if it spawned a little hope I'll look at it positively.

So it's not the speech itself that's instructive here, more the teenage-girl reaction that has followed. I think it highlights the vacuity and uninspiring nature of previous addresses; and relatedly, that we are desperately looking for any sliver of hope to focus upon.

While we need substantive causes for comfort, as important is a bit of mollycoddling, the sort a kind-hearted friend might dole out as you go through a particularly harrowing post-session depression. I appreciate the hugely more serious nature of say massive personal debt, but I think the human emotions involved are similar. You're playing a little on faith (that things will be better in the future) but when things are bad I think that's one element of what you have to do. Once people are assured life will get better then they are more committed to making it so.



[Somewhat unrelated aside: I just came up with one of those silly inspirational quotes that you come across the odd time. "A listless wallowing in the sea of desperation serves no one but the sharks assembled beneath." :rolleyes: :)] Damn! just remembered you're meant to stay still if there are sharks around! Oh well.. you get the idea anyway..

[mypost]

Who does he think he is? Ian Paisley??

People want their leader to be as I said about Obama in my last post. On the contrary, Cowen looks grumpy, snappy, and is more interested in lecturing than leading people, both in and out of the Dail. That image is horrendous publically, and despite his bull and bluster, he would fail to return to government in an election on that issue alone.

[pete]

New Poll Today. This was taken before the revelations this week.

FG 32% (-2)
Labour 24% (+10)
FF 22% (-2)

Amazing increase by Labour. Hard to know they taken a big jump in this poll but not in previous ones?

FF blaming their drop on their "difficult decisions". If they really believe that then clearly they have failed to educate the country on the severity of the situation.

I would be surprised if these numbers held up for a General Election but would expect them to hold for local elections.

[dahamsta]

That poll has the shinners up 1 too.

[kingdom hoop]

Eamon Gilmore gave a pretty good speech in the Dáil the day of the pension levy (last Tuesday I think). Way better than Enda's anyway. But aside from that I really don't know how people could be impressed by him. Or Joan Burton for that matter. Still, Gilmore has the highest satisfaction rating of all leaders (and is up 6 points), suggesting there is an element of a positive validation of Labour's performance rather than the poll merely being a reflection of FF's gauche handling of the **** we're in.

[Dodge]

In fairness Gilmore is by far the most impressive political leader at the moment

Although it'd properly be more correct to say the others look even worse the he does.

[Den Perry]

did anybody see Oireachtas report last night? When Mary Coughlan was speaking some bloke beside her (looked like Lenihan but wasn't him I think) was talking away to himself....have the lunatics taken over the asylum??

[kingdom hoop]

In fairness Gilmore is by far the most impressive political leader at the moment

Although it'd properly be more correct to say the others look even worse the he does.

Yeah I agree with that. I admit he's improved a good bit, got a bit more passion, since say the election. Kenny meanwhile.....




did anybody see Oireachtas report last night? When Mary Coughlan was speaking some bloke beside her (looked like Lenihan but wasn't him I think) was talking away to himself....have the lunatics taken over the asylum??

:D
Didn't see it yesterday. Should be online at some stage.

Whatever about Cowen being the worst Taoiseach, surely Coughlan is the worst Tanaiste? Worryingly, she's Minister for Enterprise too. I'd maybe get Mick Martin back in there.

[Macy]

Amazing increase by Labour. Hard to know they taken a big jump in this poll but not in previous ones?
Because they are the only ones that have said what the country are thinking about the bank bailout. Most of the supposed stilumulus package, like the insulation and school building was said by labour last year. Maybe people are finally copping on to the fact, despite the "easy to be in opposition and not offer solutions" crap coming from Government.


FF blaming their drop on their "difficult decisions". If they really believe that then clearly they have failed to educate the country on the severity of the situation.
This poll taken on Monday and Tuesday, after a weekend of wall to wall ridiculously pro Biffo coverage of the memorised speech. The Government would've collapsed if it had been taken later in the week. I hope people are realising who got us into this mess in the first place, rather than not accepting the measures that have to be put in place to solve it!

[pete]

Because they are the only ones that have said what the country are thinking about the bank bailout.

Have Labour suggested an alternative?

The only alternative I have heard is to give money directly to the people.

[Macy]

From the start there were pushing for the right to buy shares at current prices in the future, a total clear out of the management and a capping of executive pay. They're also calling for a proper investigation of the proposals for a toxic bank/ clean bank model.

[Reality Bites]

With four of the golden ten being named - all property developers and fianna fail supporters - Brian Cowen could do alot worse than heading down to the Aras and handing in his notice - his reign is over he is as much part of the anglo irish circle as the named bunch - Tosser