Gilmore - badly advised and became a caricature. Intelligent but unimpressive in this campaign, then again all the Labour people seem to have dropped off the pace.
Kenny - can't figure out if he's got the bottle for the job or even the ability to lead. He's been put up like a US style President, and his cronies are none too impressive. He's never led before (government) so this is testing. Don't think he's the man for the job.
Gormley - personally I like him though he sold out to get into government. Has vision, stature and a great presentation manner, though he's going to preside over a non-governmental party if the polls are right. He's one of the few I would trust.
Martin - can't debate, looks awful, acts appalling, meaning he'll be the next but one Taoiseach. Masterful way of making media interviewers kow tow to him and has re-invented himself. Is not a good speaker, comes across as arrogant and slimy, but is getting into the minds of FF voters to get out and vote.
Adams - one of the only leaders who could lead, though he's never going to be in government. From reports up in Louth he's very warm, genuine and getting good reactions (the Irish refugee population out in the Banshog are delighted with him). Spoke well in the one debate on RTE, manages to be dignified when rattled though does the typical politico thing of fudging when stuck.
Higgins - good man, good policies, well respected but in right wing conservative Ireland was always a token guilty pleasure. Too drawn out, too round about though I like his points. He's the thinking mans Roy Keane.
Out of the lot I'd prefer Adams to lead us into negotiations, and also to rattle the EU and other governments. After all former "terrorists" have been elected into the top office elsewhere (I'm thinking Israel, Palestine, Cuba, Croatia) or became so afterwards (USA, UK, France). Though we'll be stuck with Enda for 2 years before Monty leads the soldiers of destiny to power.
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