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Will Enda Kenny be toast by tuesday?

  • 13-06-2010 10:22PM
    #1
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 549 ✭✭✭


    So according to tonights news EK could be toast by tuesday.

    Will commonsense prevail, and they'll leave him there, or will RB make the fatal mistake and think a good finance spokesman is the same thing as a party leader in opposition?
    RB is good on finance, not the same thing as a party leader so why risk wasting his talent?
    EK's problem is that the media cannot seem to wear the idea of a west of Ireland taoiseach full stop, and their assertion in today's paper(indo) that 1% of those polled blamed him for the recession is to be honest pathetic. Any rumblings at the moment I would suggest are at windbag Gilmores rise in the polls which will evaporate when people eventually cotton on to him and his populist sitting on the fence.
    In short EK has integrity in spades, and has done a superb job so far for FG, which will reward them, but only if they hold their nerve. The fact that he is dull (John Major anyone) should not divert people from the real issue.
    FF must go, but the timing is their gift, and playing musical chairs with your leaders will not change or hasten their inevitable demise.


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Comments

  • Closed Accounts Posts: 2,916 ✭✭✭RonMexico


    The people don't have a problem with a west of Ireland taoiseach, they have a problem with a windbag and an ineffectual wimp.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 78,772 ✭✭✭✭Victor


    unit 1 wrote: »
    and their assertion in today's paper(indo) that 1% of those polled blamed him for the recession is to be honest pathetic.
    1% with a margin of error of 3%? :rolleyes:


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,019 ✭✭✭who_ru


    I disagree with you about the media not accepting a west of ireland taoiseach.

    I think Kenny has for quite a while been all about 'trying' to improve his performances - he comes across as totally fake in one on one interviews - see his late late show interview, which was by any yardstick appalling.

    he is long enough in the job now to know he cannot generate the support necessary to win an election - and speaking as a non FG'er if he really did have FG's best electoral interests at heart he would walk the plank. the public just won't buy him.

    Cowen is finished politically also - it's only a matter of time. Yes people will gradually pull back from labour as the election draws nearer, if you ask me the irish are incredibly politically conservative and can hardly countenance change let alone actively seek it.

    for the sake of political participation i hope both Cowen and Kenny are replaced.

    i think you are right about Bruton - very competent on finance but not a leader. the public are so unfamiliar with any FG potential leaders - i mean varadkar would be a dire choice, i don't know who they could go with if not bruton.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 549 ✭✭✭unit 1


    RonMexico wrote: »
    The people don't have a problem with a west of Ireland taoiseach, they have a problem with a windbag and an ineffectual wimp.

    And just what effect do people want him to have?
    He cannot bring about an election only those in power can. In essence his task is to wait for an election to be called, then put himself and party before the electorate. Of course people expect him to pick holes in gov policy all day long, and he and his frontbench dutifully do this, but when the gov blatantly close down the dail for a week to avoid the smell from recent reports it show what a lost cause even this duty can be. In truth his mettle will only be tested when a general election is called, and so far he has passed with flying colours in each and every one of these. This is a storm in a teacup and FG would be stupid to let it blow them off course.


  • Moderators, Entertainment Moderators, Politics Moderators Posts: 14,568 Mod ✭✭✭✭johnnyskeleton


    The impression I get is that Enda Kenny is just a different flavour of Biffo. Equally Bruton is a different flavour of Brian Lenihan.

    The fact is that people trust Bruton & Lenihan to be if not exactly honest, then a lot less dishonest than Kenny & Cowen.

    Kenny is also a waffler whereas Bruton is a straight talker. During the bubble it was all about who had the better waffel. But what is important these days is being a firm leader.

    I don't know if Bruton is a good leader or not - he hasn't had a chance to prove himself. If the Irish are really so frightened of change or taking a risk on someone who has no experience of power, then we are stuck with a corrupt FF and an inept FG forever. RB would be to my mind the first "green shoot" of a new, accountable political party in Ireland and that's worth fighting for.

    Finally, while people are not opposed to a political party leader from the west per se, the only people who can tolerate Kenny are those from Mayo (this is just pure parish politics - the party leader always gets in on a stormer in their own patch) and those within FG who see him as uniting the disparate strands of the party. If you are not in FG and not from Mayo then you are the first person I have encountered who supports Kenny over Bruton that isn't one or the other of the above.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 13,011 ✭✭✭✭Sand


    Seeing as at least one poster was on a thread today doing an "impression" of Enda Kenny's accent, I think the idea that people have an issue with a Taoiseach from the west of Ireland (or at least with a clear west of Ireland accent...) might not be without merit. Certainly, most of the annoyance with Kenny seems to be based on who he is as a person as opposed to anything else.

    But who knows, if Irish people are so committed to personality Pop Idol style politics (and the Gilmore popularity seems to indicate this) then perhaps they ought to get rid of Enda Kenny and stick in Cheryl Cole or similar to lead the country.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,935 ✭✭✭goat2


    i like kenny, west of ireland tiosach would be brilliant, at least he is right in the middle of one of the worst e
    effected places in this failing economy and see what is happening, a bit of understanding what is happening outside of dublin would do us no harm

    dont understand what he has done wrong to be put down, he was not part of the team that has us where we now find ourselves, out of work, no job oppertunities, seeing no light at the end of tunnell
    still the big wigs have everything they had four yrs ago, what really is going on


  • Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 3,858 ✭✭✭Deise Tom


    If Enda is pushed, I hope that the same mistake as happened in FF does not happen and more than one person goes for the job of leader.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,553 ✭✭✭Banned Account


    He'll be gone alright - nice guy, no balls.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,031 ✭✭✭Tim Robbins


    unit 1 wrote: »
    So according to tonights news EK could be toast by tuesday.

    Will commonsense prevail, and they'll leave him there, or will RB make the fatal mistake and think a good finance spokesman is the same thing as a party leader in opposition?
    RB is good on finance, not the same thing as a party leader so why risk wasting his talent?
    EK's problem is that the media cannot seem to wear the idea of a west of Ireland taoiseach full stop, and their assertion in today's paper(indo) that 1% of those polled blamed him for the recession is to be honest pathetic. Any rumblings at the moment I would suggest are at windbag Gilmores rise in the polls which will evaporate when people eventually cotton on to him and his populist sitting on the fence.
    In short EK has integrity in spades, and has done a superb job so far for FG, which will reward them, but only if they hold their nerve. The fact that he is dull (John Major anyone) should not divert people from the real issue.
    FF must go, but the timing is their gift, and playing musical chairs with your leaders will not change or hasten their inevitable demise.

    Great post. 100% agree. I like Kenny. Good honest man. What Irish politics needs but alas the electorate like liers and people who pander to vested interests.

    Labour have had a huge rise because all they do is complain, they won't tell us what tough decisions they'll take.


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 3,619 ✭✭✭fontanalis


    I'm really befuddled to what people think what Bruton will do better than Kenny.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 879 ✭✭✭dunsandin


    I think a lot of people think of Bruton as Michael o'leary lite, and there is a touch of the straight talker about him. I think the Enda is a bit of a waffler, and, seeing as how he ascended to the dizzying heights of leader of fine bhouys, he can't be quite the choirboy he comes across as. Hidden ruthlesness (Bruton getting the bullet proves the point) is a dangerous type. I'd prefer if he was just openly a hard-ass and spoke it like he saw it, the enda might be nigh.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,353 ✭✭✭✭jimmycrackcorm


    fontanalis wrote: »
    I'm really befuddled to what people think what Bruton will do better than Kenny.

    You should stop befuddling - it's like asking why people change their car when the one they have still goes from A to B.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 879 ✭✭✭dunsandin


    The Enda is trying to go from a "B" to an "A" though. The leader of an A team needs to be a bit better than that of a B team.
    Not too sure how much of a supreme leader type we can expect to extract from a pushy school teacher. Might be better than a pushy, hard necked, un-self aware, overweight provincial solicitor though.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 10,007 ✭✭✭✭thebman


    Enda's problem is he doesn't come across as confident or believing what he says.

    He's partly his accent and partly he seems to get caught up in himself too often and start mumbling and stuttering. Its more pronounced than Bruton, Bertie, Cowen and many other politicians because of his accent IMO.

    I think Bruton seems straight talking, honest and confident as a result of this bluntness he has yet does not appear arrogant. This makes him a good speaker and I think that is why the public and the media generally seem to have a preference for Bruton over Kenny.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 18,163 ✭✭✭✭Liam Byrne


    thebman wrote: »
    Enda's problem is he doesn't come across as confident or believing what he says.

    He's partly his accent....

    What ?

    Be-be-bertie wa-wa-was de wurst evvur for this.

    Kenny is eloquent by comparison!


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 10,007 ✭✭✭✭thebman


    Liam Byrne wrote: »
    What ?

    Be-be-bertie wa-wa-was de wurst evvur for this.

    Kenny is eloquent by comparison!

    Yes the difference is the accent.

    Most of the media and a large portion of the electorate reside in Dublin. This accent and stuttering in it is not irritating to them.

    I believe Enda's accent is what actually turns people off as well as him not only not being from Dublin but having the appearance of a somebody from the country that leads to people from Dublin disliking him.

    This why Bruton is I believe more appealing to the people that dislike Kenny. He appears more confident on the issues common to the people and doesn't sound like he is from the backend of nowhere. In fact, his accent is quite neutral which is beneficial I believe when trying to appeal to an entire nation of people.

    Its nice to say that these things shouldn't matter but we all know they do to many people.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 18,163 ✭✭✭✭Liam Byrne


    thebman wrote: »
    Most of the media and a large portion of the electorate reside in Dublin. This accent and stuttering in it is not irritating to them.

    I believe Enda's accent is what actually turns people off as well as him not only not being from Dublin but having the appearance of a somebody from the country that leads to people from Dublin disliking him.

    This why Bruton is I believe more appealing to the people that dislike Kenny. He appears more confident on the issues common to the people and doesn't sound like he is from the backend of nowhere.

    "backend of nowhere" ?????

    To be honest, I couldn't care less where someone is from if they are honest and competent.

    I doubt that Kenny would have told anyone to commit suicide.

    And Kenny's accent is very neutral compared to Ahern's.

    I can't listen to Joe Duffy, for example, because his accent is chronic. That's not an issue for me, because I don't vote for him and he doesn't make decisions that affect (ruin?) my life.

    Above all, Mayo is a place....in Ireland. So the above opinion is insulting and condescending in the extreme.

    It may not be your own personal opinion (hopefully not), but anyone who has that opinion doesn't have the intelligence or cop-on to make a proper judgement.

    Finally, many people from around the country have moved to Dublin for media jobs because of the way this country is set up. Matt Cooper, for example, is from Cork.

    So all things considered a biased prejudice like this is pathetic, to be honest. And if this Dublin bias has damaged the country, then I'm even more sickened than I was.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 10,007 ✭✭✭✭thebman


    I certainly isn't my opinion but it appears to be the opinion of much of the electorate.

    The same electorate that thought Bertie and Charlie and Beverly were and are lovely people despite all evidence to the contrary.


  • Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators Posts: 10,093 Mod ✭✭✭✭marco_polo


    There plenty of people down in Kerry who believe that the Dublin Media were only out to get John O'Donoughue because he was from the West. His accent is the least of Enda Kennys problems, his main problem is taht under his stewardship the traditionally second largest party is a meer 11% ahead of the least popular government in the entire history of the state.

    I think he is a very likeable, honest and intelligent man, but the simple fact of the matter is that he is not connecting with the electorate.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,553 ✭✭✭lmimmfn


    Enda Kenny got destroyed in the debate with Ahern, its time for him to go, honestly id like Bruton in charge to see how he pans out.
    Kenny just moans about FF propsals, Gilmore at least disects them, gives opinions on whats wrong( classic example before the new provisional law he said it was insane, said it should be delayed due to the backlog of people applying for the test and not done on a bank holiday ) with them and provides his solution, Kenny doesnt do any of that. He needs to move on and realise that he's actually preventing FG from getting anywhere( not that im a FG supporter, but i could be if the right man was there )

    He also has to be the most boring politition since John Major....arent these peas interesting...theyre so versatile!!!!!!

    Ignoring idiots who comment "far right" because they don't even know what it means



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 12,895 ✭✭✭✭average_runner


    In the last elections Enda Kenny got hammered by Bertie in a tv debate.

    Enda Kenny is good at reading things from paper but cannot perform on his own.

    He is a man of no word, as last election he said he would step down if FG didnt win.

    Alot of politics to people is not about policy's but on how a person comes across, Enda kenny does not have anything positive comming across, while compared to Bertie, he built the FF campaign about him, the peoples person, one of the people from inner North Dublin, this is what won elections. Not saying I agree with this method but it is successful.
    Labour are top of the Poll but you ask the average joe what is their policies and he/she would say no idea.


    Bruton has no good personal glow either, while Hayes could be the man to lead FG.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,553 ✭✭✭Banned Account


    I agree, the fact of the matter is that Kenny has the type of personality that leaves people cold. Like it or not, people vote for people as much as they do for policies. In the modern political game, people shold realise that to be successful you need a leader who can incite emotions in the voters, let those like Kenny take the backroom functions but have some charisma at the coalface.

    Take the issue of the leaders debate in the UK - neither Cameron nor Clegg came out with anything for the policy perspective that people hadn't been aware of prior to the debates, rather, the debates let the electorate see the men behind the policies, they voted for the people they liked - Brown left them cold.

    Is is wise to vote for a personality? - No.
    Will this stop people from doing it? - No.

    The solution therefore, is for a party to recognise this and proffer a leader who polls well, all the structural work, whip work and motivation can come from the back.

    On a seperate note, the sacking of Bruton was the biggest act of political buffoonery I have evr witnessed.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 10,007 ✭✭✭✭thebman


    marco_polo wrote: »
    There plenty of people down in Kerry who believe that the Dublin Media were only out to get John O'Donoughue because he was from the West. His accent is the least of Enda Kennys problems, his main problem is taht under his stewardship the traditionally second largest party is a meer 11% ahead of the least popular government in the entire history of the state.

    I think he is a very likeable, honest and intelligent man, but the simple fact of the matter is that he is not connecting with the electorate.

    I disagree that where he is from does not cause him problems. The majority of media are located in Dublin and it benefits them to push for Dublin politicians to be in higher positions.

    People in Dublin want one of their own in power much like the people down the country that have the same attitude.

    People in the capital think Kenny would be too interested in rural politics over Dublin IMO.

    Its an opinion I've developed from working with many people from Dublin and when things like this come up, they straight away insult where he is from be it Biffo or that clown from mayo, people in Dublin want Dublin people representing them and a Dublin Taoiseach.

    Most of the media is from Dublin and it doesn't take a rocket scientist to link that people from Dublin are working in those media companies.

    Its tribal crap but it is occurring.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 3,619 ✭✭✭fontanalis


    thebman wrote: »
    Yes the difference is the accent.

    Most of the media and a large portion of the electorate reside in Dublin. This accent and stuttering in it is not irritating to them.

    I believe Enda's accent is what actually turns people off as well as him not only not being from Dublin but having the appearance of a somebody from the country that leads to people from Dublin disliking him.

    This why Bruton is I believe more appealing to the people that dislike Kenny. He appears more confident on the issues common to the people and doesn't sound like he is from the backend of nowhere. In fact, his accent is quite neutral which is beneficial I believe when trying to appeal to an entire nation of people.

    Its nice to say that these things shouldn't matter but we all know they do to many people.

    Welcome to the Project for the new FF century.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 6,384 ✭✭✭gbee


    Enda came in to really make Irish politics a just, plain speaking and honest affair for the people.

    Unfortunately he has become like a robot or a John Majors or maybe a character in Spitting Image.

    I liked him, seen him a few times and watched him change from a fresh approach to someone out of their depth, probably stunned at the depth of depravity really in Irish Politics.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2, Paid Member Posts: 22,437 ✭✭✭✭Ash.J.Williams


    I don't care where the taoiseach comes from but Enda is just not a taoiseach. Himself and his chief whip remind me of two simpleton extras hired for Tom Cruise movie "far and away".


  • Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 5,734 ✭✭✭MidlandsM


    I don't care where the taoiseach comes from but Enda is just not a taoiseach. Himself and his chief whip remind me of two simpleton extras hired for Tom Cruise movie "far and away".

    This is such a simplistic view.:rolleyes:


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,291 ✭✭✭Zamboni


    MidlandsM wrote: »
    This is such a simplistic view.:rolleyes:

    To be fair, thinking Enda Kenny is at a political disadvantage because he is not from Dublin is the simplistic view in this thread.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,178 ✭✭✭3DataModem


    Victor wrote: »
    1% with a margin of error of 3%? :rolleyes:

    Perhaps you don't understand what "margin of error" means in this context.

    It dies not mean "plus or minus 3%"


This discussion has been closed.
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