Fianna Fáil Leadership Challenge Underway

56lcd · 16-01-2011 05:30PM

great that he has decided to stay on ..... his decision should expedite the annihilation of fianna fail.

Biggins · 16-01-2011 05:32PM

I must remember to get more popcorn in. This still going on next week will get more interesting.

Rubik. · 16-01-2011 05:35PM

Patrick Honohan's report in to the banking crises determined that 25% of the mess we are in was down to international factors, the other 75% was all of our own making. Yet here is Cowen still trotting out the line - "we are a small open economy at the mercy of a global downtown." It is almost as laughable as his claim that FF are paying the political price for putting the country first.

gandalf · 16-01-2011 05:35PM

Watching that made me very angry but in reality I am I am delighted that he has stayed in place as leader of FF.

What happens to Martin. According to O'Cuiv last Friday any Minister who doubts in the Taoiseach as leader should resign. Will Martin resign. Will he push for the leadership. Cowen has to fire him and if Hanafin was saying the same he has to sack her.

The bodycount is mounting and I am enjoying every minute of this because it couldn't happen to a more deserving bunch.

Mr.Micro · 16-01-2011 05:36PM

56lcd wrote: »

great that he has decided to stay on ..... his decision should expedite the annihilation of fianna fail.

He gives the impression now of a pig headed self centred bully who cares only to be in power......no humility, contrition or modesty.....It can only get worse hopefully for FF.

Biggins · 16-01-2011 05:37PM

It might get nasty between Cowen now and Martin.

gandalf · 16-01-2011 05:41PM

Biggins wrote: »

It might get nasty between Cowen now and Martin.

Here is hoping that it gets extremely nasty

Mr.Micro · 16-01-2011 05:43PM

I bet FF are sorry not that they did not get rid of him the night of the IMF/EU announcement when we all thought he was going to go.

Sparks · 16-01-2011 05:44PM

johngalway wrote: »

Spit it out Brian, I'm missing Tora,Tora,Tora!

Typical. In the time it took Cowen to say nothing, the more efficient Japanese had destroyed an entire US naval base. That's progress for you...

Sulmac · 16-01-2011 05:44PM

David Davin-Power calling it a "strong performance".

What the hell is he smoking?

ednwireland · 16-01-2011 05:44PM

gandalf wrote: »

Here is hoping that it gets extremely nasty

hope so, if we cant have an election and try and start fixing the coutry watching FF destroy itself will be the next best thing

eigrod · 16-01-2011 05:45PM

Mr.Micro wrote: »

He gives the impression now of a pig headed self centred bully who cares only to be in power.

Only now ?

One can imagine him quite easily around the table with Seanie and his buddies, f***ing this, f***ing that, totally putting themselves on a pedastal high above the rest of us and considering us mere serfs to him and his buddies. I hate the lot of them.

iaminminsk · 16-01-2011 05:46PM

gandalf wrote: »

Here is hoping that it gets extremely nasty

we wish but Martin doesn't have the balls. Unless he knows he can persuade a majority at the pp meeting, he'd be mad to make a move. Him being a report junkie, I doubt we will hear another peep outa him

16-01-2011 05:48PM

We are not hearing everything [obviously].
The FF pp know exactly the level of support Cowen has to go on.
It's all been discussed privately.

Question is,will they vote to keep him Tuesday? I'd say they will.
They're no eejits.
The time for a new leader for them is after the election.None of the main contenders will want to lead that party into a Rout at the election.
As for a new leader,I'll bet it will be De velara's grandson.

Sulmac · 16-01-2011 05:48PM

RTÉ News on Twitter:

Green Party source says party's TDs & Senators will have a phone conversation about the outcome later this evening & consider their response

...I won't hold my breath!

GSF · 16-01-2011 05:54PM

Sulmac wrote: »

RTÉ News on Twitter:

...I won't hold my breath!

They will note developments...........

16-01-2011 05:56PM

Sulmac wrote: »

RTÉ News on Twitter:

Green Party source says party's TDs & Senators will have a phone conversation about the outcome later this evening & consider their response

...I won't hold my breath!

The green party think they are oh so important...

sligopark · 16-01-2011 05:59PM

Sulmac wrote: »

David Davin-Power calling it a "strong performance".

What the hell is he smoking?

its a new strain of pot called fianna fail

mewso · 16-01-2011 05:59PM

A selfish Green Party trying deperately to gain some Kudos might walk out now before FF can end it all themselves.

kenco · 16-01-2011 06:02PM

Possible there are more twists to come here....

The backbenchers have complained that the 'officer class' have not come out and shown their true colours. If say Hanifin and Martin resigned ahead of the vote then it might galvinise anti Cowen support. Martin has nothing to lose at this stage but I believe the moment as passed him and he has been found wanting. The torch may have been passed but some one of them has to have the backbone now and much as I would like to see it Im not convinced....

Stunning to think Cowen has survived this long but more reflective of the clowns around him

Het-Field · 16-01-2011 06:05PM

Fine Gael can only be delighted with this announcement.

Although it would only stimulate a gain of a few seats, a leadership change in FF could be seen by those who suffer from a level of congnative dissonance in relation to voting FF as a reason to cast a Number 1 for the Soldiers of Destiny. As long as Cowen remains, many of these aformentioned souls will err on the side of caution and cast their vote elsewhere.

Now that Cowen will remain, the status quo will be preserved. This will serve to benefit FG.

InchicoreDude · 16-01-2011 06:06PM

We are not hearing everything [obviously].
The FF pp know exactly the level of support Cowen has to go on.
It's all been discussed privately.

Im sure the same was said of FG when Bruton challenged Kenny. But it wasnt the case - Nobody knew what the outcome would be with the PP.

Would be a huge mistake for F to go with Martin or O'Cuiv as their next leader - It would be just bring about an attitude of "Same old FF as Cowen, Ahern etc".

The shrewdest move they could make regarding their next leader would be to appoint Mary Hanafin. Having a woman leader would make FF look progressive and people would be more inclined to believe they have changed.

Dara Calleary could be an interesting option at 33/1 as well. Journalists seem to love this guy. If there is a lot of interest from people to become next leader, I wouldnt be surpised to see this fella enter the fray.

Biggins · 16-01-2011 06:09PM

Sulmac wrote: »

RTÉ News on Twitter:

Green Party source says party's TDs & Senators will have a phone conversation about the outcome later this evening & consider their response

...I won't hold my breath!

Same old economic interest, best for the country, we are doing the right thing as we always have done...

In other words, same crap as Fainna Fail.

Dirk Gently · 16-01-2011 06:26PM

Martin press conference in an hour.

SB-08 · 16-01-2011 06:27PM

.The ball is firmly in Mehole Martin's court now - very hard decision tbh. He doesn't act now and he shows a total lack of leadership and his chances of becomign leader after the GE decrease. If he does act now there is still a strong possibility (due to the how thick so many FF members are) that Cowen will win the no confidence motion, theref or damaging Martin further.

I don't understand why Cowen didn't sack Martin and Hanafin if they expressed no confidence in him. It's beyond belief frankly. At least Enda had to balls to sack Bruton and likewise Bruton had the ball to challenge him.

The performance was pure waffle by Cowen. Not answering questions but instead waffling on as per usual. A embarrassment to the country to put it lightly.

GSF · 16-01-2011 06:29PM

This FF propaganda on RTE News at 6 is sickening. Public reaction (sic) involved asking FF councillors in Offally what they thought. Surprisingly most though the glorious leader was doing a great job.

gandalf · 16-01-2011 06:31PM

clown bag wrote: »

Martin press conference in an hour.

The scene is set for Martin now......

Het-Field · 16-01-2011 06:31PM

SB-08 wrote: »

.The ball is firmly in Mehole Martin's court now - very hard decision tbh. He doesn't act now and he shows a total lack of leadership and his chances of becomign leader after the GE decrease. If he does act now there is still a strong possibility (due to the how thick so many FF members are) that Cowen will win the no confidence motion, theref or damaging Martin further.

I don't understand why Cowen didn't sack Martin and Hanafin if they expressed no confidence in him. It's beyond belief frankly. At least Enda had to balls to sack Bruton and likewise Bruton had the ball to challenge him.

The performance was pure waffle by Cowen. Not answering questions but instead waffling on as per usual. A embarrassment to the country to put it lightly.

The FG coup actually seems dignified and honest in comparison. We are still unsure as to which Ministers were rounding on Cowen. The Anti-Kenny brigade had the confidence in their convictions to make their feelings known. No such luck in this caste of FFer. They have kept their powder dry, as they dont want to be seen as disloyal. However, I see them as dishonest and yellow.

lorcan122 · 16-01-2011 06:36PM

I thought what O'cuiv did was a joke gave his support to Brian to the tv, but earlier in the week he said he wanted to be taoiseach, what spineless coward, just does not want to be sacked. Martin holding a conference in a hour, should be good.

Dyr · 16-01-2011 06:40PM

mewso wrote: »

A selfish Green Party trying deperately to gain some Kudos might walk out now before FF can end it all themselves.

I don't think they even know why they're still in government. They're ike some abused spouse who can't bring them self to leave.

Fianna Fáil Leadership Challenge Underway

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