Fine Gael Leader

[Mousey]

Let's talk about the Opposition (such as it is) for a minute. I thought Enda Kenny's "New Deal" gimmick in the last election was a great bit of electioneering, and I was therefore amazed that all you stupid cunts voted FF back in again

But I was watching Prime Time earlier and saw Richard Bruton bate the living shite (figuratively) out of Brian Lenihan in a studio debate regarding the Budget, and I was thinking "Why the FUCK is this man not the leader of his party?"

He's eloquent, intelligent, earnest, an excellent debater and I'd vote for him in a heartbeart before I voted for Enda.

So why's he not leader of the Opposition?

[westcorklad]

Maybe that is his choice. If there is a change of government in the next 2 years or so Enda may be Taoiseach and if he screws things up Bruton would be ready to step into his shoes.
Then again maybe he has rivals within the party who dont want him as leader.

[carlos marvado]

Not sure Richard Bruton would make a good party leader......a decent wing man to have bat for you on serious economic stuff.....but he does'nt scream Taoiseach to me.

Just look at Cowan.....when he became leader of Fianna Fail and Taoiseach, the gobshite journos praised him for his experience in directing the economy, his intelligence, his go-get-it no nonsense approach and his ability to get things done and to instill belief and confidence. Ffs, without the money to throw at every problem, a la Bertie, Cowan just froze like a rabbit caught in the headlights.....Lenihan runs this government and make no mistake about that.

A good Taoiseach needs a hard ruthless side to exert him/herself against all comers.....De Valera had it, Haughey, for all his faults and corrupt ways had it, even Lynch had it when it when it mattered....it's basically about having the stomach for a fight and the ability to keep your enemies divided and on the back foot. Cowan has just about managed to unite the entire country against himself and Fianna Fail, and the leadership of the opposition does'nt exactly inspire confidence.....those clowns tried to out bid FF in their attempts to buy the voters at the last general election......and it's only FF incompetence that's making them look good now.

[Mousey]

.those clowns tried to out bid FF in their attempts to buy the voters at the last general election......and it's only FF incompetence that's making them look good now.

dont be fooled by politicians. The party in opposition always look and sound better. Then when they are voted in they u-turn on everything promised. Meet the new boss, same as the old boss.

So what are you suggesting? Leave FF in office just because there's no viable alternative? I've heard this argument before and I disagree - that sort of political apathy, endemic in this miserable little hole of a country, is what's kept the bastards in there for so long. Much as I'd love to see Labour or somebody get a majority in the next election, I'm getting tired of wasting my vote on them and the Socialist parties. If we're going to get them out, they have to be voted out. And that means voting for the Opposition parties.

[LLAMEDOS]

- IRELAND is gonna stay in the Mire for a long while I decree ,so long as She is subject to the
destructive political system that exists at present.
In the "Perfect World", a radical change where the cream of all parties amalgamates to create one
single constructive "mind" for the good of the people of this "Nation in Crisis" is the way forward.
The " here today, gone tomorrow" politicians that Ireland own now will be leaving a huge legacy of
debt for our future gererations.
The Irish National Debt is approaching 100 billion(without the impending Anglo Irish 30 bill burden) -
this is the highest Worldwide amount per Capita that ever existed.
On that basis, every Child born in this land owes nearly €400k to an external lender.
The "Cricket Politics" where once one side is In and batting, then the other side endeavours to bowl
them out at all costs is so detrimental to this Nations interest.
Personal political machinations and greed that presently exist have to be weeded out.
Enough said, I was trying to exude positive thoughts only today.

[carlos marvado]

So what are you suggesting? Leave FF in office just because there's no viable alternative? I've heard this argument before and I disagree - that sort of political apathy, endemic in this miserable little hole of a country, is what's kept the bastards in there for so long. Much as I'd love to see Labour or somebody get a majority in the next election, I'm getting tired of wasting my vote on them and the Socialist parties. If we're going to get them out, they have to be voted out. And that means voting for the Opposition parties.

Heaven forbid Mousey, I'd love to see them out of office.....sooner rather then later. In fact FF is one of the few parties that I have never once voted for, not at General Elections, European Elections, Local Elections or Presidential Elections......I have never put any class of a preference against the name of any Fianna Fail candidate. If the earth opened up and swallowed the lot of them, I would rejoice.

But all I'm saying is.......don't place too much hope in the other lot either......a majority FG government might be fine and well, but if you had the Labour tail wagging the FG dog and the Trade Union fleas nesting in the Labour tail, the job of implementing any sort of radical political program to dig us out of the hole might be very difficult to achieve.

There is probably a lot of merit in Llamedos's suggestion of a national government where Minister's are appointed on the basis of relevant "vocational" experience in the real world, and stop pushing square pegs into round holes, but I fear that the likelihood of a cabinet of all the talents would also end up fracturing along party or ideological lines. Self interest and self preservation is just too strong and ingrained here for politicians to put the country and nation first. Remember single party FF government was one of that party's long held political core principles, FG and Labour had their own difficulties in hanging together when the going got tough, and Labour, after going into a Government with FF and despite walking out of it later, were severely punished by the electorate for what many regarded as political treason. FF destroyed their own coalition with the now defunct PDs.

In general elections, there is not much point in the electorate returning a new Dail full of primary teachers, solicitors and publicans etc to run the show, when what is required are also people with business experience and expertise in various fields such as innovation, ICT, international markets, etc. The problem is that those sort of people, such as the Michael O'Learys, Michael Smurfits, Denis O'Briens etc would be totally frustrated by the antiquated political system and bureaucracy, plus they have the ability to do a lot better for themselves outside of politics.

It is wrong however to blame the politicians solely for the mess. If the people elect a bunch of incompetents lacking real world experience, ideas or vision, it's the people's fault. All 166 of them belong in the Dail because we put them there....even the Jackie Healy Rea's and Martin Ferris's of this world, if that be the wish of the good burghers of Kerry.

[Notatwork]

Heaven forbid Mousey, I'd love to see them out of office.....sooner rather then later. If fact FF is one of the few parties that I have never once voted for, not at General Elections, European Elections, Local Elections or Presidential Elections......I have never put any class of a preference against the name of any Fianna Fail candidate. If the earth opened up and swallowed the lot of them, I would rejoice.

But all I'm saying is.......don't place too much hope in the other lot either......a majority FG government might be fine and well, but if you had the Labour tail wagging the FG dog and the Trade Union fleas nesting in the Labour tail, the job of implementing any sort of radical political program to dig us out of the hole might be very difficult to achieve.

There is probably a lot of merit in Llamedos's suggestion of a national government where Minister's are appointed on the basis of relevant "vocational" experience in the real world, and stop pushing square pegs into round holes, but I fear that the likelihood of a cabinet of all the talents would also end up fracturing along party or ideological lines. Self interest and self preservation is just too strong and ingrained here for politicians to put the country and nation first. Remember single party FF government was one of that party's long held political core principles, FG and Labour had their own difficulties in hanging together when the going got though, and Labour, after going into a Government with FF and despite walking out of it later, were severely punished by the electorate for what many regarded as political treason. FF destroyed their own coalition with the now defunct PDs.

In general elections, there is not much point in the electorate returning a new Dail full of primary teachers, solicitors and publicans etc to run the show, when what is required are also people with business experience and expertise in various fields such as innovation, ICT, international markets, etc. The problem is that those sort of people, such as the Michael O'Learys, Michael Smurfits, Denis O'Briens etc would be totally frustrated by the antiquated political system and bureaucracy, plus they have the ability to do a lot better for themselves outside of politics.

It is wrong however to blame the politicians solely for the mess. If the people elect a bunch of incompetents lacking real world experience, ideas or vision, it's the people's fault. All 166 of them belong in the Dail because we put them there....even the Jackie Healy Rea's and Martin Ferris's of this world, if that be the wish of the good burghers of Kerry.

Carlos your line"self interest and self preservation"never a truer word written or spoken.When i started on the corporate ladder i never forgot what a mentor of mine told me "leinster house is no place for an honest man"look out for No.1.I never have forgotten this and how true it is.

[Dub Lad]

Are you kidding me fine gael I'm sure are delighted they didn't get voted in as they would have had to face the envitable I don't think anyone could have stopped the recession a worldwide one at that. You cant change a complete reliance on a property market (bubble) to keep an economy going and change it to something else.

Totally agree Richard is articulate, no nonsense, doesnt take 5 minutes to ask a question like Enda. Eamon Gimore is pretty good these days with that sex on legs woman joan *drool*

[westcorklad]

Are you kidding me fine gael I'm sure are delighted they didn't get voted in as they would have had to face the envitable I don't think anyone could have stopped the recession a worldwide one at that. You cant change a complete reliance on a property market (bubble) to keep an economy going and change it to something else.

Totally agree Richard is articulate, no nonsense, doesnt take 5 minutes to ask a question like Enda. Eamon Gimore is pretty good these days with that sex on legs woman joan *drool*

Joan Burton sex on legs??????
WTF!!!!!!

[espensen]

Richard bruton is brill in finance, leave him there. Although someday, i can't wait to see george Lee be minister for finance and speak for the people and cut all these expenses and other bull costs to the state.