the great debate

[Jim Comic]

http://www.rte.ie/news/2007/0509/election1.html


the 'charismatic' bertie will wipe the floor with enda i feel sure, unless e.k. displays hitherto well hidden powers of persuasion, rabitte would have made a far better debater

[northmallexile]

I'd prefer to see Rabitte debate McDowell. With Joe Higgins as a moderator.

[PermanentMarker]

Assumming Bertie's personal finances are out of bounds he'll probably come out tops. Bertie is used to defending himself in tight spots but Enda might fall down when pushed to promote the positives of his own manifesto and then questioned on it.

An hour seems a bit long for Enda as he's a bit more wooden on TV. I noticed Shaun Connolly in the Examiner recently commenting that if Enda Kenny could convert his sincere and warm one-on-one personality to a mass audience he'd appeal to the masses more.

What's shit about these things is that it turns into people judging personalities rather than policies. thats democracy I suppose.

[jungle]

Bertie isn't a great debater though. He was destroyed by Bruton in 1997 and was a bit better than Noonan in 2002. Then again, I think Bosco would have beaten Noonan.

In truth, the Irish debate format isn't likely to swing an election.

We know what we expect of Bertie, so his performance doesn't matter. Enda Kenny's job is to avoid fucking up too severely; he can only lose votes here, he won't win them. As long as people can be convinced that he's competent, he'll be OK.

[jungle]

Just on a side not to this...

Rabbitte will not be debating anyone.

He felt that he should have been on the platform with Kenny and Ahern (possibly a fair point considering the relative numbers of seats held by FG and Labour) and refused to take part in the debate of the minor leaders.

So, Sargent, McDowell and Adams (a sham considering he isn't even standing!) will debate instead.

This could backfire badly for Labour. If Adams gets one over on McDowell, he could pick up a lot of Labour voters in Dublin.

Actually, Adams v McDowell is a debate I wouldn't mind seeing...

[bosco]

Then again, I think Bosco would have beaten Noonan.


Well I'd certainly give it a go and try my best ;)

[Taste]

Shocking that Rabitte isn't involved, he has been by far the best spokesman for the opposition.

The minor debate looks more interesting, but it could turn into a mud-slinging contest between Adams & McDowell without a good chairperson.

[bosco]

Actually, I'd love to witness a debate between Martin Ferris, GV Wright, Jim McDaid and Michael Fitzgerald. Perhaps over a few pints? They'd be fighting over who gets to drive home probably.

[jungle]

Just on a side not to this...

Rabbitte will not be debating anyone.

He felt that he should have been on the platform with Kenny and Ahern (possibly a fair point considering the relative numbers of seats held by FG and Labour) and refused to take part in the debate of the minor leaders.

So, Sargent, McDowell and Adams (a sham considering he isn't even standing!) will debate instead.

This could backfire badly for Labour. If Adams gets one over on McDowell, he could pick up a lot of Labour voters in Dublin.

Actually, Adams v McDowell is a debate I wouldn't mind seeing...

Just an update on this.

It looks like Pat Rabbitte will take part now.

Being on the wrong platform is now looking better for him than being on none at all.

[Some user]

Pat Rabbite had the best opening speech. Sargent next, then McDowell and poor Gerry Adams looks like he's just a fish out of water when not talking about Unionist intransigence and policing.

It was a little unfair on McDowell to have a three against one but he has the comfort of being in government for the last five years. I liked when Adams was up on his high horse about himself and Martin McGuinness drawing the national industrial wage and McDowell mentioned the cash from the Northern Bank raid. Adams was avoiding questions for reasons only known to himself.

There were a few good quips like when Rabbitte dismissed McDowell as a “menopausal Paris Hilton”. Overall I thought the Greens did well in getting their message across. The electorate might not vote for them en masse but the electorate does know what they’re about.

His point about abolishing random taxes like motor tax was a good one to use to get across the Green’s philosophy – it will be replaced by a tax that taxes you for the amount you use the car and not just a once off fee.
Pat Rabbitte did well overall and came across pretty well, not too sneering as he is sometimes and we got a bit of humour as well which will enhance his likeability.

Unlike other countries we have a PR system and people vote predominantly for local candidates so I don’t think TV debates are a huge influence. If anything it might hype up the election more and make people vote.
Looking forward to Bertie Vs Enda. I don’t think it will be as entertaining because Kenny and Ahern have to be very careful about making gaffes.

Bertie will come out fighting and Kenny is weak on detail which might give an taoiseach the edge. God knows FF really need to kick start the campaign – Ahern has been looking morbid on the campaign trail as opposed to Kenny who seems full of beans.

[Jim Comic]

how did bertie v enda go? i was abroad so i missed it

[jungle]

I didn't see it, but the consensus seems to be that it was pretty even until Enda fucked up the last quarter of it.