Dust Settles on McDowell’s Election 07
What a ride! Who could have foreseen the political ramifications caused by the collapse of the PD vote? I certainly wouldn?t have predicted that McDowell would lose his Dail seat and in doing so, his leadership of the PDs. I guess I should have had an inkling when I saw Michael McDowell and his wife, Niamh, canvassing at Beechwood Luas stop last week. It seemed like a cry for help.In truth, us Irish voters are indeed a fickle bunch. McDowell is a prime example of this. We castigate politicians with strong convictions, tarring them as radical, pig-headed and out-of-touch with the electorate. In the same breath we complain that the main parties inhabit the centre and are virtually indistinguishable. If I had a Euro for the number of times I heard my friends and colleagues bemoan. Well, what’s the difference in voting for any of them, it’s always the same. We just can’t have it both ways.
While I didn?t agree with many of McDowell’s policies or the negative campaigning, Nanny-state stance of the PDs in the last election, McDowell has offered us some of the most colourful political moments. Who will forget his comparison (which was later withdrawn) of Richard Bruton and Joseph Goebbels? Or his insinuation (also withdrawn) that the supporters of the Green Party vandalised the PD HQ?
Sam Smyth, a friend of McDowell’s, had a good piece in today’s Indo discussing McDowell’s importance to the Irish political machine and how the environs of Leinster House will be poorer for his exclusion. And of course, at the other end of the spectrum - let’s not forget fellow fallen TD Joe Higgins, always entertaining, erudite and the soul of local conviction politics. He did trojan work for exploited Polish construction workers.
Personally, I hope to see McDowell back in the public eye after a well deserved break. Whether it’s on the benches or in an advisory role, he’ll undoubtedly distinguish himself by following his morale compass and bringing his own stamp of justice and authority to bear. Good luck in the future, Michael.