Next Leader of FF - Martin or Lenihan?

SB-08

It's essentially now a two way race. Martin is clearly the front runner at this stage due to him standing up to Cowen and showing leadership last week. Lenihan was exposed as a lying snake and didn't challenge.

Will Lenihan stand for Leadership or will he claim he "doesn't have the time" due to being Finance Minister? Martin is no longer a Minister therfor clearly has the time so is there even a contest on this one?

BlaasForRafa

SB-08 wrote: »

It's essentially now a two way race. Martin is clearly the front runner at this stage due to him standing up to Cowen and showing leadership last week. Lenihan was exposed as a lying snake and didn't challenge.

Will Lenihan stand for Leadership or will he claim he "doesn't have the time" due to being Finance Minister? Martin is no longer a Minister therfor clearly has the time so is there even a contest on this one?

Theres a good chance that Lenihan will decline "to take care of his health" or something like that.

Martin will probably get it but he'll never be taoiseach, he'll be a caretaker until someone younger from the ranks comes up and rebrands the party as "New Fianna Fail" in 5 years or so.

gcgirl

Martin is the only FF with balls from what I can see

martic

I'll be shocked if Conor Lenihan isn't elected leader

BlaasForRafa

martic wrote: »

I'll be shocked if Conor Lenihan isn't elected leader

Your kidding right? Conor Lenihan may have spluttered and blustered the other day trying to look like he had some backbone but in reality he's a cretin and even FF shouldn't have a leader that dumb.

martic

BlaasForRafa wrote: »

Your kidding right? Conor Lenihan may have spluttered and blustered the other day trying to look like he had some backbone but in reality he's a cretin and even FF shouldn't have a leader that dumb.

For the record I am kidding

BlaasForRafa

martic wrote: »

For the record I am kidding

Thank grud for that! Just had to make sure.

Rosahane

gcgirl wrote: »

Martin is the only FF with balls from what I can see

You have to be joking, he witters and is incapable of making a decision.

Other than mammy O'Rourke I'd say Hanafin is the only one with balls:eek:

gman2k

Brian Lenihan's chances of ever leading FF ended this week with his speak with forked tongue approach.
He'll soon announce his retirement due to health (others are stepping down due to arthritis FFS)

maynooth_rules

gcgirl wrote: »

Martin is the only FF with balls from what I can see

What balls, it took him two years to make the most limpwristed attempt at a 'heave' possible. You couldn't even describe it as a heave it was that spineless. At least he had the dignity to walk away when he lost

Wolfe Tone

All depends on Lenihans health.

efb

Martin ftw!!!

sceptre

martic wrote: »

For the record I am kidding

I suspect that most of us knew that - while sarcasm doesn't travel well in text, there are times when it can just be assumed...

mike65

If, lord forbid I were a young FF TD and I was surveying the talent at the top table I'd shudder and dispair, and stick with me council job for another term or two if a would-be TD.

Who the hell in that bunch is capable of completely re-tooling Fianna Fail? They are all complicit in the destruction of the economy and enslavement to the ECB/IMF for the next 20-30 years, can they skip a generation (while hopefully spending at least two terms in opposition) and come out "clean" and credible? Or will they just do as they have always done. Sit tight, let the public forget how shiote they are and get back in 2014/15 with their "values" intact?

dixiefly

Looks like Martin, there may not neven be a contest.

lorcan122

Lenihan will not contest the leadership, because of his declining health problem. It will be most likely Martin to take leadership.

Biggins

Don't forget about Eamonn O'Cuiv - he has some support too!

SB-08

Everyone so far has come out for Martin. No-one for Lenny or Hanny.

SB-08

Biggins wrote: »

Don't forget about Eamonn O'Cuiv - he has some support too!

We are allowed to insult the intelligence of FFers but let's not push it that far. Let's give them some credit at least. :eek:

Balmed Out

Cant imagine theyd be stupid enough to go with Lenihan. They know they need to try to change their image from corrupt backstabbers and he aint that man. Whoever it is he'll be the first fianna fail leader not to become taoiseach. My moneys on Martin.

A Martin/Hanafin double act is on the cards. I'd be surprised with anything else.

Biggins

Don't forget about Eamonn O'Cuiv - he has some support too!

SB-08 wrote: »

We are allowed to insult the intelligence of FFers but let's not push it that far. Let's give them some credit at least. :eek:

Listening to them still talking on RTE, they are espousing that he is in with a real chance!

I hope FF really are that stupid and pick him.

BlaasForRafa

That absolute a**ehole Eoghan Harris was just on Newstalk now saying Martin shouldn't get it. Thats almost enough to recommend Martin.

a new leader?

how about they do the right thing for the country for a change and disband altogether

steelcityblues

If the good folks in FF HQ are reading this, please make the next leader Conor Lenihan......please!

SB-08

BlaasForRafa wrote: »

That absolute a**ehole Eoghan Harris was just on Newstalk now saying Martin shouldn't get it. Thats almost enough to recommend Martin.

That will be a positive thing for Martin for have that moron against him. I bet he will support the Jackey Healy Rae of FF - Eamon O'Quiv:D

Rosahane

Biggins wrote: »

Don't forget about Eamonn O'Cuiv - he has some support too!

He probably owns some Irish Press PREFERENCE shares. No doubt they are preparing a front page supporting him :P

BlaasForRafa

steelcityblues wrote: »

If the good folks in FF HQ are reading this, please make the next leader Conor Lenihan......please!

Lol you might as well make Tinky Winky from the Teletubbies leader in that case

hotmail.com

Hanafin and O'Cuiv have said they will cnontest any leadership contest.

Look at what happened with the British Labour Party - David Milliband was favourite, but ultimately lost to his brother.

Rosahane

steelcityblues wrote: »

If the good folks in FF HQ are reading this, please make the next leader Conor Lenihan......please!

I think they should make Bosco the next leader of FF. He has all the right attributes: He's a puppet, easily manipulated by his owners, empty headed, irritating, dreadful fashion sense ...

SB-08

From an anti-FF point of view I hope Eamon O'Cuiv get's it. It would be the final nail in FF. It would have begun with a Dev and ended with one. He is ignorance personified.

Logically though - Martin is obviously the best option for FF. He is a strong debater and doesn't explode into arrogant rage like Cowen but rather makes points calmly and by FF standard logically.

Logically it's a one man race but considering FF's stupidity who knows?

hinault

Bit like voting to be Captain of the Titanic:D

Regardless of who gets the hot seat, FF should be voted in to oblivion on or before 11th March 2011.

If they're not consigned to oblivion, we will only have ourselves to blame.
Remember that.

ArtSmart

Biggins wrote: »

Don't forget about Eamonn O'Cuiv - he has some support too!

yeah, i reckon it'll be O'cuiv, hanifin and Martin, with a landslide for Martin.
dont think lenny will bother .

course martin wont be taoiseach , the lenny's shall rise again....

ninty9er

BlaasForRafa wrote: »

That absolute a**ehole Eoghan Harris was just on Newstalk now saying Martin shouldn't get it. Thats almost enough to recommend Martin.

As a member of the party it's not often I agree with him, but I'll agree on that

steelcityblues wrote: »

If the good folks in FF HQ are reading this, please make the next leader Conor Lenihan......please!

they don't have a vote, neither do I more's the pity, but I have just taken a Junior Minister to pieces for declaring for Martin.

I only see one backbencher as safe and capable:

Niall Collins

BlaasForRafa

ninty9er wrote: »

As a member of the party it's not often I agree with him, but I'll agree on that


they don't have a vote, neither do I more's the pity, but I have just taken a Junior Minister to pieces for declaring for Martin.

I only see one backbencher as safe and capable:

Niall Collins

I think for the long term that FF are going to need someone (perhaps in 2016) that isn't tainted by the Ahern/Cowan governments. Its not an outlandish suggestion either, in the UK, Nick Clegg was only an mp for 2 years before becoming leader of the Lib dems and Cameron was only an mp for 4 years before being elected leader of the Tories.

gcgirl

maynooth_rules wrote: »

What balls, it took him two years to make the most limpwristed attempt at a 'heave' possible. You couldn't even describe it as a heave it was that spineless. At least he had the dignity to walk away when he lost

Jees I'm just stating they few that voted against cowen did not resign after the voted against Biffo :-) martin looks likely to become leader , but ion 6 weeks hopefully therewont be a FF party :-)

bladespin

Martin seems to be the only show in town, Lenihan is ruined politically, I doubt he'll be trusted again.

bon ami

With a bit of luck the idiots in Fianna Fail will elect Micky Martin. He was a pathetic minister in each of his posts and will be a pathetic leader of a dying party . Roll on th election - looking forward to greeting the "Soldiers of Density" on my doorstep. There will be blood!

KnifeWRENCH

Up until a couple of months ago, Lenihan and Hanafin were the only FF TDs I had time for, but as it stands now I don't see either of them getting the job. I had respect for Lenihan up until the IMF fiasco thing, where he blatantly lied to the public. His credibility is shot now. Hanafin's refusal to resign despite coming out against Cowen has damaged her credibility also.

O'Cuiv? Lol.

Which leaves Martin. I had no particular opinion of him before but I think he is the FF'er who has maintained the most credibility recently (not that that's saying a lot!) and I reckon he will be the one to land the job.
Also, he added me as a friend on Facebook! :pac: (I'm living in his constituency, even though I can't vote there!)

Of course, I should add that the most desirable outcome is that it won't make a blind bit of difference who gets the job. Hopefully the next Government does a fantastic job and no-one will have any reason to even consider FF again!

scientific1982

Lenihan is contesting.

goose2005

Rosahane wrote: »

I think they should make Bosco the next leader of FF. He has all the right attributes: He's a puppet, easily manipulated by his owners, empty headed, irritating, dreadful fashion sense ...

A Gaelgeoir too, and he talks to us like we're five-year-olds

Jeboa Safari

It would be brilliant if O'cuiv got it, he'd be terrible,you can the dev in him.
Theres no talent there in FF, Martin will probably win it, even though he basically lost the confidence motion in Brian Cowen who is probably the lowest ever rated FF leader. He's another useless ditherer who will hopefully damage FF further in the long run.

flutered

they don't have a vote, neither do I more's the pity, but I have just taken a Junior Minister to pieces for declaring for Martin.

I only see one backbencher as safe and capable:

Niall Collins[/QUOTE]

from what i have seen on his website last year, safely capable of exterminateing them.

steelcityblues

scientific1982 wrote: »

Lenihan is contesting.

Too late Brian!

scientific1982

steelcityblues wrote: »

Too late Brian!

I think he'll get it. Cowan loyalists will likely opt for him.

bladespin

scientific1982 wrote: »

Cowan loyalists

is there such a thing in the party now?

scientific1982

bladespin wrote: »

is there such a thing in the party now?

On second thoughts you're probably right.

steelcityblues

scientific1982 wrote: »

I think he'll get it. Cowan loyalists will likely opt for him.

Not a chance. Martin is less associated with the current problems of the government (well, sort of) and should have the numbers.

stevsie

mike65 wrote: »

If, lord forbid I were a young FF TD and I was surveying the talent at the top table I'd shudder and dispair, and stick with me council job for another term or two if a would-be TD.

Who the hell in that bunch is capable of completely re-tooling Fianna Fail? They are all complicit in the destruction of the economy and enslavement to the ECB/IMF for the next 20-30 years, can they skip a generation (while hopefully spending at least two terms in opposition) and come out "clean" and credible? Or will they just do as they have always done. Sit tight, let the public forget how shiote they are and get back in 2014/15 with their "values" intact?

Why would young, intelligent, energetic people devote their time to rebuilding Fianna Fail? They don't have an ideology. "The Republican Party," what does that mean?! In the good old days, there were tangible rewards for supporting FF: jobs for the boys. Those days are over. FF are defunct. Hopefully 2011 is the beginning of the long goodbye Fianna Fail.

InReality

Hanafin was a tiny bit good as a minister. they should skip this generation of ministers though.

nisior

Martin for sure. He had some balls lately (although it took him long enough). I used to have huge respect for Lenihan for ages but in 2009 I realised he'd been doing the job a while and was still fudging it up (my reasoning was before 'well he hasn't been doing it for long'...). I can't wait to get this shower of bastards out. First time voting this time