Election 2007

**Macy** · 03/05/2007, 7:29 AM

Originally Posted by Calcio Jack

scary thing as I alluded to before they maybe right ie a large amount of the elctorate are selfish enough to be fooled by that type of auction politics, just like there parents were in 1977 by the Jack Lynch lead FF

Judging by Cowen's performance on Prime Time, they certainly appear to believe that they can fool the people. When questioned by Little about what if the economic performance Cowen says they'll deliver whatever, whereas Bruton says they'll have to reassess the cuts and/ or make efficiency savings if that comes about. Cowen all about attacking the alternative for being under a fiver a week more tax, Bruton talking up the need for public services, the health service and you need to have money to spend on them. Very clear choice offered (I know delivery is something else) - Tax cuts at any cost, or maintenance and reform of public services.

Thought Bruton beat Cowen hands down - although it never ceases to amaze me that Cowen is front runner for the leadership of FF as I think he always comes across as an ignoramus - he's an awful performer on TV and Radio.

**BohsPartisan** · 03/05/2007, 8:08 AM

been canvassing for Clare this week. All very positive, apart from one guy who declared, I like Clare but Brendan Ryan promised me Gas central heating!

**kingdom hoop** · 03/05/2007, 8:15 AM

Originally Posted by BohsPartisan

been canvassing for Clare this week. All very positive, apart from one guy who declared, I like Clare but Brendan Ryan promised me Gas central heating!

I hope you promised him the sun, the moon and the stars so that he won't need that antiquated central heating

**BohsPartisan** · 03/05/2007, 8:29 AM

Originally Posted by kingdom hoop

I hope you promised him the sun, the moon and the stars so that he won't need that antiquated central heating

Nah promised him a bottle of vodka and 20 Rothmans.

**passinginterest** · 03/05/2007, 9:29 AM

Have to see after the stamp duty u-turn I am now 100% voting against Fianna Fail. I was in agreement with them that Fine Gael and Labour were on dangerous ground with their stamp duty proposals and now they've gone and made equally crazy plans. God knows what's going to happen with the housing market now. Have to say I'm hoping for a nice collapse so I might actually be able to afford to buy in Dublin, but feel sorry for anyone who's struggling with a massive mortgage at the moment.

Might as well get rid of them now.

**OneRedArmy** · 03/05/2007, 9:40 AM

Getting rid of stamp duty is the biggest red herring of them all and the only outcome will be a period of uncertainty.

Prices will adjust upwards to reflect pretty much the stamp duty inclusive prices, as that was the true price of a property previously. Only difference is that the vendor will get the money and not the Government.

I actually had a sliver of respect for FF for not jumping on that particular bandwagon, but I should have known better.

**passinginterest** · 03/05/2007, 9:44 AM

Originally Posted by OneRedArmy

I actually had a sliver of respect for FF for not jumping on that particular bandwagon, but I should have known better.

My feelings exactly. I think the last lingering thread of respect just snapped.

**dahamsta** · 03/05/2007, 9:51 AM

jebus, GavinZac, can we refrain from the personalisation and keep it to genuine debate please?

**jebus** · 03/05/2007, 10:25 AM

Originally Posted by dahamsta

jebus, GavinZac, can we refrain from the personalisation and keep it to genuine debate please?

Will do, sorry about that.

Anyway my girlfriend's friend is a Limerick native living in Dublin, someone who was a bit put out by the election being called for a Thursday. So she went to her local FF candidate and asked him the reasoning behind this, and this according to the FF candidate is the reason he was given by Team Bertie,

'The reason it was called for a Thursday and not a Friday is because some of the Dublin residents would be leaving Dublin for the weekend to go to their weekend homes'

The girlfriends friend tells me this is no word of a lie, and since she doesn't have any previous I'll take it that she is telling the truth. So not only are we accomodating Dublin, we are now accomodating just the stereotypical south-side Dublin

**jebus** · 03/05/2007, 10:26 AM

Originally Posted by BohsPartisan

been canvassing for Clare this week. All very positive, apart from one guy who declared, I like Clare but Brendan Ryan promised me Gas central heating!

How do you rate Mick Barry's chances down here in Cork BP? Have you lot started door to door canvassing down here yet?

**BohsPartisan** · 03/05/2007, 10:35 AM

Originally Posted by jebus

How do you rate Mick Barry's chances down here in Cork BP? Have you lot started door to door canvassing down here yet?

I'd imagine we have been canvassing as we are usually quick off the mark. We think it unlikely that Mick will take a seat this time but we are expecting a good showing to build for the next time out. Same with Mick Murphy in Tallaght, though the complicating factor there is its a strong area for Sinn F�in who mop up a good proportion of the left leaning vote.

**Dodge** · 03/05/2007, 10:41 AM

Surprised this link hasn't been given yet. http://www.mycandidate.ie

You might want to look at paddypower too for their latest odds. May help thos thinking of voting tactically

**micls** · 03/05/2007, 11:38 AM

Originally Posted by jebus

How do you rate Mick Barry's chances down here in Cork BP? Have you lot started door to door canvassing down here yet?

Il be voting for him anyway

**Schumi** · 03/05/2007, 11:47 AM

Originally Posted by Dodge

Surprised this link hasn't been given yet. http://www.mycandidate.ie

Thanks Dodge, very handy. Have nominations closed yet? I'm surprised by the lack of independents if they have.

**passinginterest** · 03/05/2007, 12:08 PM

Originally Posted by Schumi

Thanks Dodge, very handy. Have nominations closed yet? I'm surprised by the lack of independents if they have.

Ya great website. I wasn't even 100% on the name of my constituency (it's Dublin South Central), nice to have a look at all the candidates in one place.

Interstingly I had a look at my old constituency in Wexford and only 9 candidates for the 5 seats. All from the major parties. Looks likely to be 1 seat guaranteed for Labour, FF and FG with a fight to the death between FF and FG for the other 2. Colm O'Gorman will probably pick up a good few votes for the PDs too.

**Dodge** · 03/05/2007, 12:12 PM

I'd imagine there'll be more INDs to come.

**pete** · 03/05/2007, 12:24 PM

Anyone got any weird & unusual candidates running locally? Any rivals for Ming the Merciless or Irish equivalent of the Monster Raving Lunnie Party?

**Macy** · 03/05/2007, 12:44 PM

Originally Posted by pete

Anyone got any weird & unusual candidates running locally?

Dick Roche, unfortunately thousands have copped the joker yet.

**Lim till i die** · 03/05/2007, 12:48 PM

Originally Posted by GavinZac

Added to your sidekick's demands to be paid to attend a third level course, you had very nearly pushed me towards being a card carrying right wing marketeer before Calcio Jack helpfully reminded me of some of the reasons I'll be voting Socialist Party in the coming weeks.

Boo hoo hoo

Was pointing out that the third level education system in this country to this day remains unfairly skewed towards the rich.

I stand over that

We say "pwnd" on the internet

I'm sure ye do

**Sheridan** · 03/05/2007, 1:00 PM

Cheers for that, Dodge. Seems the Socialist Party isn't standing a candidate in Dublin North West, I'd certainly have considered voting for them. Looks like Rois�n Shortall is my only option. Interestingly, the working class areas where I live are festooned with SF, FF and FG posters, whereas the Labour posters don't begin to appear until you reach the middle class district.