Posted on 12/04/2004 8:27:05 PM PST by Murtyo
Fine Gael has hired a leading US political consultant and pollster, who has worked for Bill Clinton, Tony Blair and Nelson Mandela, to assist in its preparations for the next general election.
Consultant Stanley Greenberg has also advised former Israeli prime minister Ehud Barak and German chancellor Gerhard Schroeder on election strategy.
A Fine Gael spokesman confirmed that the party had retained Greenberg - who has offices in Washington, London and Tel Aviv - since just after the local elections in June. It is understood that Fine Gael has had a relationship with Greenberg's firm for even longer.
This year has seen a dramatic turnaround in Fine Gael's fortunes, as the party enjoyed successful local and European elections.
Greenberg's firm specialises in helping “progressive leaders reform and modernise their parties'‘ so they can be “more competitive in elections and more effective in office'‘, its website states.
Greenberg often works on campaigns with Bob Shrum, another leading American political consultant. However, Shrum's company, Shrum Devine Donilon, has been retained by Fianna Fáil since before the 1997 election campaign.
Fine Gael strategists attended the Democratic and Republican conventions in the US this year, for “research and intelligence-gathering'‘, according to the party.
“They're working with us on the next phase of the party's preparations for the general election,” said a senior Fine Gael figure. On Fianna Fáil's use of American expertise, he said: “We're certainly not going to go into the general election with one arm tied behind our back.”
Greenberg is known as one of the world's foremost experts on interpreting opinion polls and crafting electoral strategy.
He was a pioneer in the use of focus groups in politics.
Oy.
Fine Gael have about as much joie de vivre, as a wet mackrel landed on Kilmore Quay.
They need to get with the programme.
Ireland needs a 'left' and 'right'. And when Fianna Fail are providing the 'right' in this country, it's time for me to beat meself with birch sticks and join a convent, fexfuxsake!
ARRRRRRRGHHHH..
I may just have to start up me own party.
If I'm not mistaken, didn't he work hand in hand with Schrum on Kerry's campaign? I seem to recall campaign aides pointing fingers at both gents for suggesting Kerry ignore the swiftboat vet charges.
Greenberg, Shrum... Weren't they working for Kerry this year? Yes, it really shows their expertise...
I'd leave Fine Gael, only I believe they are the best option to keeping Sinn Fein/IRA out of government.
But at least now grassrooters like myself have a vote for deciding the Leadership of the Party - which will solve Fine Gael's old problem of been out of touch and aloof, and the political ideology of the party would have to reflect the opinions of ordinary Fine Gaelers - and Fine Gael voters are the most conservative of all Irish voters
"He was best thing and worst thing to happen to Fine Gael."
Shrum has a perfect record (8-0) in backing Losers.
I don't know about Fine Gael. Their anti-war stance made me want to throw up. Anyway Fine Gale in government means labour and other leftys in government. Happygal is right, it's time for another party. I mean, Bertie proclaiming himself a socialist - c'mon.
Well, ya - either Fine Gael go back to their conservative roots - or a new party is formed.
the conservatives in ireland need to id a party (FF or FG) and take it. Starting another party is not the way to go. FG as it's not constituted in pointless so I think it should be brought back to it's roots. I like the Lemass and to some extend Jack Lynch Fianna Fail, but the Haughey/Ahern FF i don't like that much.
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