Enda Kenny - the Taoiseach that we need or spineless gimp?

mikemac · 07-02-2011 12:54PM

For those saying spineless, were you happier with a back slapping, "how are the hard-working men", good with the media, some say charismatic and pretty good at debates former leader?
They wouldn't have turned down the debate and would probably have won it.

The debate on TV3 will be nothing but scripted answers prepared by media consultants and who can shout over everyone else.

Fair play to him for backing out

barbiegirl · 07-02-2011 12:55PM

He's spineless and when you look at the bullying from Europe at the moment from France and Germany he is NOT the man to lead the country as he will roll over, sign us up for centralised corporation tax system and then any hope we have of getting out of this mess is gone. This election is about more than just punishing anyone, it is about plans to get us back on our feet, an ability to be a proper states person on the world stage and creating some element of trust. Enda is a spineless gimp of the finest order, and fails across the board.
Problem is Fine Gael are not listening and still see him as the golden child.
All the parties are so bad it's not a matter of choosing the best, but rather the least offensive person to lead the country.

upandcumming · 07-02-2011 01:04PM

feelingstressed wrote: »

For those saying spineless, were you happier with a back slapping, "how are the hard-working men", good
with the media, some say charismatic and pretty good at debates former leader?
They wouldn't have turned down the debate and would probably have won it.

The debate on TV3 will be nothing but scripted answers prepared by media consultants and who can shout over everyone else.

Fair play to him for backing out

It is obvious that there hasn't been too many TV debates before going by the talk on here. If anyone bothered to watch the UK election debates last year, you could easily see that all they were all controlled by the media, and a shouting match.

Enda Kenny isn't a good speaker, we all know that, and by not going on, he is saving himself from some his weaknesses. Nothing wrong with that is there? How will debating save this country? It won't.

cournioni · 07-02-2011 01:05PM

He's a gimp in a party full of gimps. Fianna Fail mark 2.

My name is URL · 07-02-2011 01:14PM

feelingstressed wrote: »

For those saying spineless, were you happier with a back slapping, "how are the hard-working men", good with the media, some say charismatic and pretty good at debates former leader?
They wouldn't have turned down the debate and would probably have won it.

The debate on TV3 will be nothing but scripted answers prepared by media consultants and who can shout over everyone else.

Fair play to him for backing out

That's a load of ****. As a prospective leader of the country he should be prepared to take part in debates with other party leaders regardless of how futile the debate may be. The fact that he's shying away from them isn't exactly going to instil a sense of confidence in voters.

Mental Mickey · 07-02-2011 01:16PM

My name is URL wrote: »

That's a load of ****. As a prospective leader of the country he should be prepared to take part in debates with other party leaders regardless of how futile the debate may be. The fact that he's shying away from them isn't exactly going to instil a sense of confidence in voters.

Agree. It just makes him look even more silly.

Wurly · 07-02-2011 01:17PM

upandcumming wrote: »

Enda Kenny isn't a good speaker, we all know that, and by not going on, he is saving himself from some his weaknesses. Nothing wrong with that is there? How will debating save this country? It won't.

That's the point though... As a leader, he SHOULD be a good public speaker. It's part of the job. And if he can't do it, he shouldn't get the job.

Mental Mickey · 07-02-2011 01:19PM

SnowY32 wrote: »

Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny has confirmed that proposals will be included in the party's election manifesto to provide for the abolition of Irish as a compulsory subject in the Leaving Certificate examination.

Conservative shower of cnuts:mad:

F***ing eejits.

Cheap Thrills! · 07-02-2011 01:22PM

He's lost my vote over this, I would only have been a reluctant FG voter anyway.

Labour and an Independant have picked up my vote now instead.

Enda comes accross as amateur and this episode of stage fright proved beyond any doubt that he will be a pi$$ poor taoiseach.

He looks wishy washy and he is wishy washy.

kraggy · 07-02-2011 01:37PM

Until now, I felt that people who said Enda Kenny was a liability were being unfair.

But the man, and his party, are like the mid table football team who suddenly find themselves at the top of the table with 1 match to go. And they don't know how to handle it so they shooting themselves in the foot by scoring a series of own-goals.

Besides the interview issue with Browne, the party's plan to make Gaeilge optional for the leaving cert has guaranteed that no Fine Gael candidate will ever get a vote from me.

Also, the cheap, opportunistic drivel that they're spouting about taking cars off former taoisigh and looking into abolishing the senate are populist cheap, bandwagonry tactics.

Let me ask Mr. Kenny this: if he is so concerned with saving the country money,

a. why didn't he come up with these ideas before the public started getting upset about them? and...

b. how does he explain €676,745.95 in salary and expenses between 2005 and 2008. That's an average of €225,000 per year therby making his expenses claim to be more than his salary as a TD.

c. how does he expalin being the 4th highest claimant in 2003?
http://www.independent.ie/national-news/td-claimed-91300-expenses-last-year-207486.html

d. how does he explain having over-claimed and being sent a letter regarding that by the oireachtas committe governing such?
http://www.tribune.ie/article/2010/nov/14/eight-tds-and-senators-queried-on-overclaiming-exp/

e. how does he explain trying to get away without repaying limousine costs of c. €3000 in London?
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/ireland/article6889004.ece

Fine Gael claim to be squeaky clean and that Fianna Fáil are the dirty ones. They're all dirty if you ask me.

If you vote Fine Gael cause you think they're the goodies and FF are the baddies, then you are wearing blinkers.

Can't stand either and to be honest I've lost all hope this this country and I'm not even sure if I could be bothered to vote. Looking at the candidates in my constituency, the heart despairs.

One thing for sure though, if I do vote, it won't be for FG or FF.

papajimsmooth · 07-02-2011 01:42PM

Says it all really...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TrDKvOms7YA

questionmark? · 07-02-2011 01:44PM

I'm going to side with Enda as much as it pains me too type that:o

Does the man have much charisma, no.

But i wouldn't call him spineless he took over a FG party in disarray after the 2002 elections and re-organised it from the grass roots up. He faced down a heave against him in the party when everyone thought he would be defeated and won. Do we as a country want somebody that can organise and control his party in government or somebody who gets on great in a kitchen cupboard or on the telly.

Eamon Gilmore - might as well be Joe Duffy all showmanship with no real substance.
Gerry Adams - imagine sending him to the white house on paddys day:eek:
Michael Martin - leader of a party who has brought economic ruin to this country!
John Gormoly - Doesnt ever seem to know whats going on and will be leader of party that may not exist after the election, see P.D.'s destruction for how this will play out.

BTW Kenny is right not to appear on VB that man is in an idiot, seriously who gave him a bloody TV show:mad:

brianthebard · 07-02-2011 01:51PM

questionmark? wrote: »

Gerry Adams - imagine sending him to the white house on paddys day

He's already been there....

cournioni · 07-02-2011 01:57PM

questionmark? wrote: »

But i wouldn't call him spineless he took over a FG party in disarray after the 2002 elections and re-organised it from the grass roots up. He faced down a heave against him in the party when everyone thought he would be defeated and won. Do we as a country want somebody that can organise and control his party in government or somebody who gets on great in a kitchen cupboard or on the telly.

LOL

Brian Cowen also faced down a heave against him when everyone thought he would be defeated and won.

Do you honestly think that FG are any different to FF?

RichieC · 07-02-2011 01:59PM

My name is URL wrote: »

He's not spineless.. it takes balls to make a ****** joke in public.. he's just a cnut

Didn't hear about this... I feel **** for withdrawing my wish for him to be struck by a car now :C

Up-n-atom! · 07-02-2011 02:03PM

Enda's a gimp, and many other things...

And nevermind his policies, I'm finding his hair really distracting these days - it seems to get more Donald Trump every time I see him.

sanbrafyffe · 07-02-2011 02:08PM

well didnt richard bruton challenge him a few moths ago for the leadership and lost heavily so enda kenny must ave something when more than the majority of his party voted for him to lead the party.he mite not be the best talker but maybe he has it up there.so all mite not be too bad when he gets elected.anyway look at the mess he has to sort out from ff.

Badgermonkey wrote: »

I'm hoping 8-10 months after he takes office, his own party will oust him.

I think I can manage to put up with the dweeb for about that long.

questionmark? · 07-02-2011 02:11PM

brianthebard wrote: »

He's already been there....

I meant as Taoiseach.

cournioni wrote: »

LOL

Brian Cowen also faced down a heave against him when everyone thought he would be defeated and won.

Do you honestly think that FG are any different to FF?

Brian Cowen faced down his leadership contest and did you see what happened after that! Ya big difference.

Yes i do think FG are different to Fianna Fail. I would like to see Richard Bruton as Finance Minister which i think will happen if FG get into power and James o'Reilly would make a good health minister, two areas that need huge improvment.

Dont get me wrong I know FG arent perfect and neither is Enda Kenny but then again no politician in the world is going to please everybody all the time.

Mark200 · 07-02-2011 02:16PM

kraggy wrote: »

b. how does he explain €676,745.95 in salary and expenses between 2005 and 2008. That's an average of €225,000 per year therby making his expenses claim to be more than his salary as a TD.

You said that the figure is for both his salary and expenses. So obviously the combination of the two will be greater than his salary..

kraggy wrote: »

b. how does he explain €676,745.95 in salary and expenses between 2005 and 2008. That's an average of €225,000 per year therby making his expenses claim to be more than his salary as a TD.

c. how does he expalin being the 4th highest claimant in 2003?

I'd assume it'd make sense that the leader of the opposition incurs greater expenses than the typical TD.

kraggy wrote: »

d. how does he explain having over-claimed and being sent a letter regarding that by the oireachtas committe governing such?
http://www.tribune.ie/article/2010/nov/14/eight-tds-and-senators-queried-on-overclaiming-exp/

Not really enough info in the article to start crying controversy.

kraggy wrote: »

e. how does he explain trying to get away without repaying limousine costs of c. €3000 in London?
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/ireland/article6889004.ece

It was explained in the article the exact reasons why the party initially felt that the bill wasn't their responsibility.

The way people go on you'd swear that Enda Kenny was a pedophile or something. The media has ruined his reputation. He has no skeletons in the closet. He has never given reasons for someone to suspect him of being a bad person. He lacks charisma - that's it. Sure there's probably others in FG who would make better leaders, but the policies would be largely the same regardless of who is in charge and would have the same effect on your life. Enda Kenny's lack of charisma doesn't change that.

A lot of FG TDs felt that Enda Kenny deserved a chance as Taoiseach. If he's not performing he'll be booted.

upandcumming · 07-02-2011 02:18PM

kraggy wrote: »

Until now, I felt that people who said Enda Kenny was a liability were being unfair.

...

One thing for sure though, if I do vote, it won't be for FG or FF.

Not just you, if someone doesn't vote, they have no business complaining, praising or commenting at all on the government.

upandcumming · 07-02-2011 02:20PM

Trí wrote: »

That's the point though... As a leader, he SHOULD be a good public speaker. It's part of the job. And if he can't do it, he shouldn't get the job.

Simple nit-picking. Would you rather a great speaker or a great leader?

My name is URL · 07-02-2011 02:21PM

RichieC wrote: »

Didn't hear about this... I feel **** for withdrawing my wish for him to be struck by a car now :C

I know it's not a huge deal in the grand old scheme of things but there are many equal-rights groups who have not forgotten about his comment, and you can be sure that if he's elected, the story will resurface fairly sharpish in the international media.. which isn't going to set the new government off to a great start.

kraggy · 07-02-2011 02:32PM

Mark200 wrote: »

You said that the figure is for both his salary and expenses. So obviously the combination of the two will be greater than his salary..

I'd assume it'd make sense that the leader of the opposition incurs greater expenses than the typical TD.

Not really enough info in the article to start crying controversy.

It was explained in the article the exact reasons why the party initially felt that the bill wasn't their responsibility.

The way people go on you'd swear that Enda Kenny was a pedophile or something. The media has ruined his reputation. He has no skeletons in the closet. He has never given reasons for someone to suspect him of being a bad person. He lacks charisma - that's it. Sure there's probably others in FG who would make better leaders, but the policies would be largely the same regardless of who is in charge and would have the same effect on your life. Enda Kenny's lack of charisma doesn't change that.

A lot of FG TDs felt that Enda Kenny deserved a chance as Taoiseach. If he's not performing he'll be booted.

1. Read my post again. His total expenses and salary per year were €225,000 averaged out. A TD's salary this year is €110,000 so it would have been much less 6 years ago. i.e. c. €90,000. Therefore his average expenses were more than his salary:

€225,000
-€90,000=
€135,000

2. He claimed more then John O'Donoghue in the same period.

3. He overclaimed, this is fact. The oireachtas committe sent him a letter asking why.

4. "Asked about the bill last week Fine Gael said that when it used limos booked by Irish embassies “it was normal practice for the party to be billed by the Department of Foreign Affairs and for us to cover the costs”. However, the department subsequently revealed that Fine Gael had not paid for either journey."

temply · 07-02-2011 02:38PM

I think Enda Kenny is a creeping Jesus

Hell Hath No Fury · 07-02-2011 02:38PM

Kenny = Gilmore = Martin = Adams = Gormley = Higgins = Non-human aliens who are trying to bring about a NWO.

Wurly · 07-02-2011 02:42PM

upandcumming wrote: »

Simple nit-picking. Would you rather a great speaker or a great leader?

Nope, it's not nit picking at all actually. How can a leader lead without being a good speaker??

brianthebard · 07-02-2011 02:43PM

Trí wrote: »

Nope, it's not nit picking at all actually. How can a leader lead without being a good speaker??

Eh have you ever heard Cowen and Ahern trying to speak?

Wurly · 07-02-2011 02:44PM

brianthebard wrote: »

Eh have you ever heard Cowen and Ahern trying to speak?

Yes. Bumbling messes. And as leaders - bumbling messes.

What's your point?

brianthebard · 07-02-2011 02:52PM

leaders have led without being good speakers. Kenny is at least the equal or better than the last two. And its not like every pm or leader around the world is a good speaker. unrealistic expectations tbh is my point.

Wurly · 07-02-2011 02:54PM

brianthebard wrote: »

leaders have led without being good speakers. Kenny is at least the equal or better than the last two. And its not like every pm or leader around the world is a good speaker. unrealistic expectations tbh is my point.

Cool. We'l agree to disagree so.:)

Enda Kenny - the Taoiseach that we need or spineless gimp?

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