Nerves
This is a time of real nerves. Our tallies and indeed those of the Labour Party show Lucinda Creighton and Ruairi Quinn taking the first two seats. Yet the spin out there is that Ruairi’s in trouble. He’s not. If anything he’s cleaning up at my expense. Yesterday’s canvass confirmed that. It’s not helped by the fact that the pundits, who get their information from party spin merchants, make pronouncements on TV and radio, which voters believe. Their predictions affect voter behaviour.
Let’s get it straight: all the evidence shows right now that FG and Labour will take the first two seats. After that, it’s a battle between FF, PD and Green for the last two seats. More than likely the last seat is between Michael McDowell and myself – something that would not have seemed credible 3 weeks ago. What a strange business.
By the way, I don’t get any hint at all of this massive surge to FF. If anything, there is a huge anti-government swing. I genuinely hope we can get an alternative government when the votes are counted.
May 22nd, 2007 at 10:14 pm
[...] Dominic Hannigan (Labour- Meath East) is the Dáil Dude of the Campaign according to Paddy Power. There is a bet involved and money going to a local autism school according to Dominic’s blogpost today. John Gormley (Green- Dublin South East) is nervous, finally blogs once in the campaign and spins against the spinners, yes all eyes will be on DSE on Friday to see what pole is being climbed or descended. Eric Byrne (Labour - Dublin South Central) has had to take down his blog post about the builders and the donation but I’m sure there is more to that story that we might hear after the election. [...]
May 23rd, 2007 at 6:58 pm
Got your leaflet in my letterbox today. I promise to recycle it.
I had intended to give you my number two but will give you number 1 now. I hope that it helps.
Keep up the good work, John.
May 24th, 2007 at 8:24 am
You got my number 1 John. You fought a clean campaign and you’ve worked hard, I hope it’ll pay off, Ian
May 25th, 2007 at 8:55 pm
John, CONGRATULATIONS Good for you ! I was incessantly scrutinising ireland.com to see how you were faring. Mary Harney had at one stage ascertained Michael Mc Dowell would eventually win out because of the FF leftovers. So it was touch and go and I WAS VIYING FOR YOU LIKE CRAZY.. SO THERE YOU HAVE IT. I AM FOR YOU COMPREHENSIVELY ECSTATIC John, . I AM SO DELIGHTED FOR YOU. You accurately are so commendably worthy of this win. It has notwithstanding been a hard-hitting [ dare I say -mêlée ] campaign. You fairly and squarely gave it to the rotweiler . Having to contend with him was no particularly easy feat at the best of times.. Fighting for the last sixth seat paid off nicely. Gott sei dank. Enjoyed immensely the media caper!!! See: butterfliesandwheels.com comment/articles for article on Goldenbridge industrial School. Slan go foill, Marie-Therese O’ Loughlin, c/o Dail Eireann?
May 25th, 2007 at 9:13 pm
Congratulations
May 26th, 2007 at 4:52 pm
I am SO relieved that you vanquished McDowell in the end.
It should never have been so close.
Gormley, you are a legend!!
May 26th, 2007 at 10:44 pm
Well done. I’m thrilled silly you were re-elected.