The Race for the ARAS.....

[Nally Stand]

As for the Sindo, the best response is BOYCOTT, hit them where it hurts, see how the shareholders like that

Are the people who are offended by the Sindo actually buying it?!

I can happily state that no copy of the Indo has ever been brought through the door of my house by myself or anybody else!

[Orangemac]

Everyone knew there would be intense focus on Martin McGuinness past but it seems relentless at this stage.For FG it is not about what he did in the North but blackening Sinn Feins image as they see them as their biggest threat politically in future.

If MMG only polls around 10% of first pref votes will Sinn Fein see it as a mistake not to run someone unconnected to the North which would have solidified their image as a mainstream party in the South?

[muppet]

huge crowd expected in monaghan. rumours that martins family want him to tell them to shove it are flying around. you couldnt blame them after the shite hes had thrown at him.

Yea it has been really tough for him.

[Nally Stand]

You in Monaghan Lawnseed?

[mayogodhelpus@gmail.com]

huge crowd expected in monaghan. rumours that martins family want him to tell them to shove it are flying around. you couldnt blame them after the shite hes had thrown at him.

Yea it has been really tough for him.

This real politics must be tiring him out. He should read the book about Enda Kenny & the rise of Fine Gael for inspiration and solace 

[muppet]

huge crowd expected in monaghan. rumours that martins family want him to tell them to shove it are flying around. you couldnt blame them after the shite hes had thrown at him.

Yea it has been really tough for him.

This real politics must be tiring him out. He should read the book about Enda Kenny & the rise of Fine Gael for inspiration and solace

Only Bertie Ahern should ever be subject to that.

[Maguire01]

rumours that martins family want him to tell them to shove it are flying around. you couldnt blame them after the shite hes had thrown at him.

Seriously, what are you talking about? Tell who to shove what?

[trileacman]

Everyone knew there would be intense focus on Martin McGuinness past but it seems relentless at this stage.For FG it is not about what he did in the North but blackening Sinn Feins image as they see them as their biggest threat politically in future.

If MMG only polls around 10% of first pref votes will Sinn Fein see it as a mistake not to run someone unconnected to the North which would have solidified their image as a mainstream party in the South?

Interesting question. It will be interesting to see how MMG's probable defeat will leave SF. Flying in a high profile candidate and failing could be seen as very damaging. Then there is the fact that to 80-90% of the voting public has seen SF reputation tarnished by the Frank Hegarty, Jean McConville etc. scandal and maybe react badly to it. That moreso could stop SF progression in the South.

[muppet]

Everyone knew there would be intense focus on Martin McGuinness past but it seems relentless at this stage.For FG it is not about what he did in the North but blackening Sinn Feins image as they see them as their biggest threat politically in future.

If MMG only polls around 10% of first pref votes will Sinn Fein see it as a mistake not to run someone unconnected to the North which would have solidified their image as a mainstream party in the South?

Interesting question. It will be interesting to see how MMG's probable defeat will leave SF. Flying in a high profile candidate and failing could be seen as very damaging. Then there is the fact that to 80-90% of the voting public has seen SF reputation tarnished by the Frank Hegarty, Jean McConville etc. scandal and maybe react badly to it. That moreso could stop SF progression in the South.

It is inconceivable that they hadn't considered that possibility and decided that moving further into FF territory was worth it in the long run. FG might be riding high n the polls but they have quickly forgotten that their core vote is <30%. The 40%+ they have at the moment includes floating voters who may find the spat with SF as pathetic. However the FF voters that SF are after would never ever vote FG so both party strategists might actually be happy with this.

[Nally Stand]

huge crowd expected in monaghan. rumours that martins family want him to tell them to shove it are flying around. you couldnt blame them after the shite hes had thrown at him.

Yea it has been really tough for him.

This real politics must be tiring him out. He should read the book about Enda Kenny & the rise of Fine Gael for inspiration and solace 

Real politics?!  The most politically experienced man in the field who played a major role in developing a successful peace process knows more about real politics than yer average blueshirt will ever know.

Is that book in the library btw? Is it on the shelf next to 'Morphing your Party into Fianna Fáil', by Enda Kenny?

[lawnseed]

huge crowd expected in monaghan. rumours that martins family want him to tell them to shove it are flying around. you couldnt blame them after the shite hes had thrown at him.

Yea it has been really tough for him.

This real politics must be tiring him out. He should read the book about Enda Kenny & the rise of Fine Gael for inspiration and solace 

Real politics?!  The most politically experienced man in the field who played a major role in developing a successful peace process knows more about real politics than yer average blueshirt will ever know.

Is that book in the library btw? Is it on the shelf next to 'Morphing your Party into Fianna Fáil', by Enda Kenny?

well at least martin is trying. where was edna during the election. fg had to gag him and put him in the cupboard until the campaign was over incase he fukd the whole thing up even with ff lying on the self destruct button. give him time he'll throw a leg out yet

[armaghniac]

Interesting question. It will be interesting to see how MMG's probable defeat will leave SF. Flying in a high profile candidate and failing could be seen as very damaging. Then there is the fact that to 80-90% of the voting public has seen SF reputation tarnished by the Frank Hegarty, Jean McConville etc. scandal and maybe react badly to it. That moreso could stop SF progression in the South.

There is a great deal of hype in this thread. The campaign is proceeding pretty much as one would expect. Marty is getting the SF vote plus a few, but is not clear of the other contenders, while Higgins is ahead. The Sindo is stirring up dirt. All this is much as anyone would expect. No rational person expects SF to win, they are simply keeping the machine oiled for the local elections. McGuinness is an extremely able candidate, but there is no reason why most people would want such a controversial figure as President where his abilities wouldn't get much use. Even if you were a republican you might reasonably think that he will do more good where he is than in the Park.

[ONeill]

Is Higgins ahead because he's the most harmless and aged of the lot?

[armaghniac]

Is Higgins ahead because he's the most harmless and aged of the lot?

Harmless - has not been associating with rapists and people who blow up women and children
Many people regard this as an advantage, to be sure.

Aged - has had a lot of relevant experience
Not a bad thing either.

[lynchbhoy]

Is Higgins ahead because he's the most harmless and aged of the lot?

Harmless - has not been associating with rapists and people who blow up women and children
Many people regard this as an advantage, to be sure.

Aged - has had a lot of relevant experience
Not a bad thing either.

....and like it or not,After the stately McAleese and Robinson-  the rest of the world will look at Michael D and think the same way they think about the inda kinny lead gov ...this the 'cheap' option Ireland are taking for austerity purposes !