Bertie to announce departure date

[pete]

Off-topic, could the more seasoned political campaigners amongst us tell me what became of Alan Dukes? I regularily see him on tv and he seems quite knowledgable, sincere and honest. He also uses the auld public transport which is a plus in my books.

Wikipedia says he was involved in the EU after he lost his TD seat in the 2002 Fine Gael General Election disaster. His greatest success I suppose was the Tallaght strategy not that he got much credit.

[Macy]

Wikipedia says he was involved in the EU after he lost his TD seat in the 2002 Fine Gael General Election disaster. His greatest success I suppose was the Tallaght strategy not that he got much credit.
I think he's still involved in FG, and I think (but could be very mistaken) I only read recently that he's working on policy documents for them. The Tallaght Strategy was the wrong policy politically, but for the good of the country.

[pete]

I have increasingly noticed that apologists for Bertie list as achievements things such as "huge increase in infrastructure investment". I always thought achievements were things you completed or delivered. :rolleyes:

[Dodge]

I think he's still involved in FG, and I think (but could be very mistaken) I only read recently that he's working on policy documents for them
He is. He was on with george hook a couple of weeks ago. He's got pretty wide ranging terms of reference and has to report back with 3/4 key policies that he believes would help FG. He said he has a number of months to prepare his report

Also found him to be a honest and upfront politician

[jebus]

I think Enda Kenny and Fine Gael's problem from this is that they are not seen as the ones who took Bertie down, more it was Bertie's own arrogance that eventually got the better of him (allegations about the Mahon Tribunal, the pay rise nonsense etc.) coupled with hanging Grainne Carruth out to dry. They really should have gone after him more at last years elections, I know it's honourable to try and focus on policies and issues, but governments rise and fall by the marketability of their leader and exposing Bertie for the piece of filth that he is would have done wonders for Enda's 'Can He Hack It' credentials

[Lionel Ritchie]

I have increasingly noticed that apologists for Bertie list as achievements things such as "huge increase in infrastructure investment". I always thought achievements were things you completed or delivered. :rolleyes:

Plenty more to add to that. Average annual utility bill for a primary school is 125,000 and rising while Average annual government contribution to utility bills is 75,000 and falling.

Class sizes still woefully high and now we have an admission that any move to reduce them was based on pie in the sky mathematics and a shur it'll be grand it will attitude.

If it wasn't going to get fixed in the last ten years -it's not getting fixed.

The state now spends barely over half as much educating our kids as is done in consistently well off countries ...Finland for example.

[Macy]

I think Enda Kenny and Fine Gael's problem from this is that they are not seen as the ones who took Bertie down, more it was Bertie's own arrogance that eventually got the better of him (allegations about the Mahon Tribunal, the pay rise nonsense etc.) coupled with hanging Grainne Carruth out to dry. They really should have gone after him more at last years elections, I know it's honourable to try and focus on policies and issues, but governments rise and fall by the marketability of their leader and exposing Bertie for the piece of filth that he is would have done wonders for Enda's 'Can He Hack It' credentials
Kenny and Rabbitte let Ahern off the hook before the election - they should've lived and died by the sword, not on poll results (no matter how poor there were/ how thick the electorate were). However, in fairness to Kenny he brought FG back from the brink over the last few years, and really was let down (unfortunately) by Labour and the Greens.

I'm certainly no FG supporter, especially because of some of the right wingers that got elected, but you'd really wonder what FF are running scared off with the focus on getting him out? If he's as poor as they reckon, surely the FF Politicians, Supporters and Hacks would keep quiet and let him carry them through to the next election? Just what are they scared off if Biffo's the heavyweight they claim? Surely it's in their interests that he stays? Some sites like politics.ie have got ridiculous in with FF supporters stirring it up - if he's crap, why?

[pete]

FG need to stick with a leader for a while & stop chopping & changing. At least people will recognise him then. Labour were the big failure of the last election & even an extra 3-5 seats could have put a rainbow together.

I think the opposition were damned of the did or they did not in relation to Bertie attacks as most of the damning information has only come forward in recent months.

[Sheridan]

So the Cowen era dawns. O brave new world...

Living in this country is like being a porn actress at a gang-bang. No sooner do you get rid of one enormous pr1ck than another one rears up at you.