Red C had a poll out yesterday (albeit on a half size sample) which will undoubtedly underwrite the political instincts of Bertie Ahern to cut whilst he’s ahead. It gives FF a five point rise from 35% to 40%. Fine Gael drops to 22% 28% from 30% (not so ouch!). Also 15% of previous Fine Gael voters would be more likely to vote Fianna Fáil, as would nearly 20% of independent voters. Pat Leahy on the others:
Support for the smaller parties is largely unchanged since last week, with the exception of a three-point drop for Sinn Fein. The Green Party gains a point to 9 per cent, its highest rating of late and almost twice what the party achieved in the general election. Labour remains at 11 per cent. The PDs are rooted at 1 per cent, well inside the polling margin of error.
Mick is founding editor of Slugger. He has written papers on the impacts of the Internet on politics and the wider media and is a regular guest and speaking events across Ireland, the UK and Europe. Twitter: @MickFealty