Election 2007

Have been a bit absorbed by this the last few days, and have a ticket to the count in Sligo on Friday, so am looking forward to that. It's been a brilliant last few days of the campaign, here's what i think so far.

FF. Great rally at the end, Cowen definate future leader, Bertie super on live debate, murdered Enda, looking at a solid performance, as you were or slighty down in seat terms.

FG. Exposed over the last few days, Kenny has done a great job as the party leader, but won't be trusted to deliver as country leader. Overall vote up (not hard)

Lab. Murdered in the run in... hanging onto FG's coat tails for dear life, fairly sure there won't be enough without a huge green performance.

Green. Have lost out in the great leadership race, will fall between the stools, should have thrown in thier lot with the alliance for change, will find themselves out in the cold.

PD's Getting a wee bounce from strong FF performance, would have written them off a week ago, will be donw from 8 seats but may still (although i doubt it) retain the disproportionate power they have wielded for the last ten years.

Sinn Fein. Terribly uninspiring and insipid campaign, have missed a great opportunity to move forwards towards 11 or 12 seats. Still it will come down to FF either forming a Govt with the greens and the independents, going to bed with Mary Lou, or heading back to the country....... or we can see Pat Rabbitte doing the country some service by saving them from the terrible shinners.

In Sligo it's Devins (FF) and Perry (FG) as certs, and after that it's going to be fought out by Comiskey (FG) who has the Leitrim advantage, Scanlon (FF) and McManus (SF) I have a sneaking suspicion that Comiskey might sneak it off Leitrim geographical voting with Lab and FG transfers.. cos McGarry and Henry are unlikely to get a quota between them and FF will suffer from not running a third candidate with a Leitrim base.

Still interesting times ahead.