Opinion poll puts Bertie on the fast track

THE text that beep-beeped was from a Fianna Fáil handler. It speculated on what tone Taoiseach Bertie Ahern might strike when asked about his reaction to THAT opinion poll in his only interview of the day in Sligo.

“I bet you he will do sackcloth and ashes today,” it read.

And that’s what the lips did. They underplayed it, toned it down and said lots of sensible things like: The few days ahead are crucial. I think we have been working harder. The only poll that matters is the one on Thursday.