Comments on: Rabbitte http://www.sarahcarey.ie/2007/08/23/rabbitte/ An Irish woman's social, political and domestic commentary Tue, 13 Jul 2010 06:34:24 -0700 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Tomaltach http://www.sarahcarey.ie/2007/08/23/rabbitte/comment-page-1/#comment-103887 Tomaltach Tue, 28 Aug 2007 14:34:12 +0000 http://www.sarahcarey.ie/2007/08/23/rabbitte/#comment-103887 Crewser, you talk about rebranding. This is echoing around the airwaves for days as if a charismatic, photogenic, and perhaps youthful face can rescue Labour from the doldrums. It's not a new face Labour needs, but a new soul. No amount of branding can change that. And in the calcified space that is Irish politics, not even a new soul with a new mission can guarantee success. In fact, they probably need forces outside of their control to deliver - be it luck or catastrophe. Something needs to give. Crewser, you talk about rebranding. This is echoing around the airwaves for days as if a charismatic, photogenic, and perhaps youthful face can rescue Labour from the doldrums. It’s not a new face Labour needs, but a new soul. No amount of branding can change that. And in the calcified space that is Irish politics, not even a new soul with a new mission can guarantee success. In fact, they probably need forces outside of their control to deliver – be it luck or catastrophe. Something needs to give.

]]> By: The Crewser http://www.sarahcarey.ie/2007/08/23/rabbitte/comment-page-1/#comment-103879 The Crewser Tue, 28 Aug 2007 13:59:19 +0000 http://www.sarahcarey.ie/2007/08/23/rabbitte/#comment-103879 I disagree Darren. Gilmore is a clone of Rabbitte in almost every respect. He is from the West of Ireland, was active in student politics, the Trade Union movement and the Workers Party. The last bit is what defines him really. If Ruari Quinn made one major mistake it was allowing the WP into Labour. The Party has not grown since. De Rossa (the cute one) has gone to Europe (where the real money is) If they put in Gilmore as they will they might as well have kept Rabbitte.There will be no significant re-branding under Gilmore. Just more of the same negative stuff which lost two elections. All the candidates are close to getting the Bus Pass, that will not appeal to the young voters who are full of vigour and enthusiasm. I disagree Darren. Gilmore is a clone of Rabbitte in almost every respect. He is from the West of Ireland, was active in student politics, the Trade Union movement and the Workers Party. The last bit is what defines him really. If Ruari Quinn made one major mistake it was allowing the WP into Labour. The Party has not grown since. De Rossa (the cute one) has gone to Europe (where the real money is) If they put in Gilmore as they will they might as well have kept Rabbitte.There will be no significant re-branding under Gilmore. Just more of the same negative stuff which lost two elections.
All the candidates are close to getting the Bus Pass, that will not appeal to the young voters who are full of vigour and enthusiasm.

]]> By: Darren Mac an Phríora http://www.sarahcarey.ie/2007/08/23/rabbitte/comment-page-1/#comment-103851 Darren Mac an Phríora Tue, 28 Aug 2007 12:26:52 +0000 http://www.sarahcarey.ie/2007/08/23/rabbitte/#comment-103851 The reason Labour did not grow much from the 80's on (maybe the 70's?) is because in the 80's their youth wing was dominated by Joe Higgins's supporters. Since the SP has been in existence a significant number of young people who were left-leaning joined the SP instead of Labour. The SP has I bet proportionally the highest turnover of members leaving the party. These people usually- because of the rigid system that the SP promote- get turned off politics. In his 10 years in the Dáil Joe Higgins turned a lot of middle of the road people of being active in politics. He made it fashionable for many people to simply protest instead of be active. Now that the SP have been obliterated from the Dáil I can see Labour growing. Having a new leader like Eamon Gilmore- although there are others who would make great leades- will help the party. The reason Labour did not grow much from the 80’s on (maybe the 70’s?) is because in the 80’s their youth wing was dominated by Joe Higgins’s supporters. Since the SP has been in existence a significant number of young people who were left-leaning joined the SP instead of Labour. The SP has I bet proportionally the highest turnover of members leaving the party. These people usually- because of the rigid system that the SP promote- get turned off politics. In his 10 years in the Dáil Joe Higgins turned a lot of middle of the road people of being active in politics. He made it fashionable for many people to simply protest instead of be active.

Now that the SP have been obliterated from the Dáil I can see Labour growing. Having a new leader like Eamon Gilmore- although there are others who would make great leades- will help the party.

]]> By: leon http://www.sarahcarey.ie/2007/08/23/rabbitte/comment-page-1/#comment-103789 leon Tue, 28 Aug 2007 08:20:39 +0000 http://www.sarahcarey.ie/2007/08/23/rabbitte/#comment-103789 How about a 'unionist party', rejoin the rest of the isles, that should satisfy the left with the provision of a more adeqaute, although still inadequate, wellfare state, allow multiculturalism, abortion, contraception for teens, etc, etc, this should also satisfy the right by promoting the privatisation of all semi-states within the larger 'home' market, reduction in labour costs, increased competition. The only barriers the Euro and 1916-1930 type thinking that binds the culchies and our principal (no-principles) centrist parties, and the ridiculous electoral biase to rural over urban. A united banner for liberals and capitalists. Unfortunately this is what a centrist UK party sounds like and the nordies would be revolting. How about a ‘unionist party’, rejoin the rest of the isles, that should satisfy the left with the provision of a more adeqaute, although still inadequate, wellfare state, allow multiculturalism, abortion, contraception for teens, etc, etc, this should also satisfy the right by promoting the privatisation of all semi-states within the larger ‘home’ market, reduction in labour costs, increased competition. The only barriers the Euro and 1916-1930 type thinking that binds the culchies and our principal (no-principles) centrist parties, and the ridiculous electoral biase to rural over urban.

A united banner for liberals and capitalists. Unfortunately this is what a centrist UK party sounds like and the nordies would be revolting.

]]> By: blankpaige http://www.sarahcarey.ie/2007/08/23/rabbitte/comment-page-1/#comment-103622 blankpaige Mon, 27 Aug 2007 22:02:58 +0000 http://www.sarahcarey.ie/2007/08/23/rabbitte/#comment-103622 New Party Name? How about "Another Really Useless Anti-FF Party" New Party Name? How about “Another Really Useless Anti-FF Party”

]]> By: The Crewser http://www.sarahcarey.ie/2007/08/23/rabbitte/comment-page-1/#comment-103571 The Crewser Mon, 27 Aug 2007 16:55:00 +0000 http://www.sarahcarey.ie/2007/08/23/rabbitte/#comment-103571 It's all a question of how somebody is viewed by their electoral base and potential new voters. As Gordon will know Labours base is small enough already. Somebody like Liz McManus or Brendan Howlin would, without a doubt shrink that base even more. Personally I would like to see Joan Burton taking over but I know that will not happen. Despite her whingy voice she would not alienate the stakeholder classes like Rabbitte. Gilmore has an almost identical CV to Pat Rabbitte. It would be expecting a little too much to expect any major re-branding under this disciple of De Rossa. Leopards don't change their spots. Gordons snide comments at the end don't warrant an answer and no apology is necessary either. It’s all a question of how somebody is viewed by their electoral base and potential new voters. As Gordon will know Labours base is small enough already. Somebody like Liz McManus or Brendan Howlin would, without a doubt shrink that base even more. Personally I would like to see Joan Burton taking over but I know that will not happen. Despite her whingy voice she would not alienate the stakeholder classes like Rabbitte. Gilmore has an almost identical CV to Pat Rabbitte. It would be expecting a little too much to expect any major re-branding under this disciple of De Rossa. Leopards don’t change their spots. Gordons snide comments at the end don’t warrant an answer and no apology is necessary either.

]]> By: Gordon Davies http://www.sarahcarey.ie/2007/08/23/rabbitte/comment-page-1/#comment-103544 Gordon Davies Mon, 27 Aug 2007 14:49:56 +0000 http://www.sarahcarey.ie/2007/08/23/rabbitte/#comment-103544 Crewser's comment on John McManus's earnings from the treatment of the poorer members of society is outrageous. As a doctor John could earn far more money treating private patients as do so many of his medical colleagues who have little or no social conscience and an overwhelming love of the filthy lucre. John has set up a thriving practise, in collaboration with a large pluri-disciplinary team, that treats a majority of medical card patients. As a result his earnings come largely from Medical Card fees, an iniquitous system that as a Labour Party member he wishes to replace with a more efficiant and equitable system. Over the years he has also given generously of his time to assist with innovative public health schemes, including an ambitious and effective campaign to reduce the use of hard drugs in the Bray area. Whatever Howlin and Gilmore's pecadillos in the past there is little to compare with the sordid and continuing history fo corruption, graft and abuse of power that characterise FF. An apology would be appropriate. Gordon Crewser’s comment on John McManus’s earnings from the treatment of the poorer members of society is outrageous. As a doctor John could earn far more money treating private patients as do so many of his medical colleagues who have little or no social conscience and an overwhelming love of the filthy lucre. John has set up a thriving practise, in collaboration with a large pluri-disciplinary team, that treats a majority of medical card patients. As a result his earnings come largely from Medical Card fees, an iniquitous system that as a Labour Party member he wishes to replace with a more efficiant and equitable system. Over the years he has also given generously of his time to assist with innovative public health schemes, including an ambitious and effective campaign to reduce the use of hard drugs in the Bray area.

Whatever Howlin and Gilmore’s pecadillos in the past there is little to compare with the sordid and continuing history fo corruption, graft and abuse of power that characterise FF.

An apology would be appropriate.

Gordon

]]> By: Tomaltach http://www.sarahcarey.ie/2007/08/23/rabbitte/comment-page-1/#comment-103537 Tomaltach Mon, 27 Aug 2007 14:25:08 +0000 http://www.sarahcarey.ie/2007/08/23/rabbitte/#comment-103537 The new party would fail to make a breakthrough for the same reason as Labour has failed. Without doubt, Labour are doomed to be the also rans of Irish politics. http://fichefocal.blogspot.com/2007/08/labour-is-doomed-to-subordinate-role.html The new party would fail to make a breakthrough for the same reason as Labour has failed. Without doubt, Labour are doomed to be the also rans of Irish politics.
http://fichefocal.blogspot.com/2007/08/labour-is-doomed-to-subordinate-role.html

]]> By: Sarah http://www.sarahcarey.ie/2007/08/23/rabbitte/comment-page-1/#comment-103524 Sarah Mon, 27 Aug 2007 11:39:52 +0000 http://www.sarahcarey.ie/2007/08/23/rabbitte/#comment-103524 sounds nice Crewser. I must check out those Summer Schools myself. I am just back from four glorious days in Schull. Well worth the trip. Sigh the mini break season in now over... sounds nice Crewser. I must check out those Summer Schools myself. I am just back from four glorious days in Schull. Well worth the trip.
Sigh the mini break season in now over…

]]> By: The Crewser http://www.sarahcarey.ie/2007/08/23/rabbitte/comment-page-1/#comment-103363 The Crewser Sun, 26 Aug 2007 14:18:13 +0000 http://www.sarahcarey.ie/2007/08/23/rabbitte/#comment-103363 Back to school with you Paul. I think it is your good self who needs to get the dictionary out. Just had a geat few days at the Humbert Summer School in Mayo and stayed in the brand new Diamond Coast Hotel in Enniscrone. Scorching weather and a nice G&T. What more could one want. Back to school with you Paul. I think it is your good self who needs to get the dictionary out. Just had a geat few days at the Humbert Summer School in Mayo and stayed in the brand new Diamond Coast Hotel in Enniscrone. Scorching weather and a nice G&T. What more could one want.

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