Bertie beats the odds again to make survivor shortlist
The outgoing Taoiseach was shortlisted for the survivor of the year 2007 prize at the annual Magill political awards for his tenacity in staying at the top so long.
Judges were impressed by Mr Ahern’s determination to keep a grip on power, which saw him storm to a third straight election victory after a disastrous start to the campaign, and then withstand bad publicity swirling out of the Mahon Tribunal for so long.
Mr Ahern faces opposition from Social and Family Affairs Minister Martin Cullen and FF TD Cyprian Brady for the title.
The gaffe of the year category was as tightly fought as ever, and sees Transport Minister Noel Dempsey’s U-turn on provisional licenses competing with FG TD Terence Flanagan’s plagiarising of someone else’s speech and FG leader Enda Kenny’s refusal to admit he had lost the May general election.
Fine Gael frontbenchers on education and health, Brian Hayes and James Reilly will battle it out for the title of campaigning politician of the year, along with Labour’s Joe Costello.
New Fianna Fáil leader and taoiseach-designate Brian Cowen made the short list for politician of the year, alongside Labour leader Eamon Gilmore and the Green’s John Gormley.
Despite a rough ride recently, Education supremo Mary Hanafin was nominated for minister of the year along with Mr Cowen and Justice’s Brian Lenihan.
Heckler of the year will go to either Willie O’Dea, Michael Ring or Emmet Stagg while the best dressed prize is between Senator Geraldine Feeney, Senator David Norris and Billy Kelleher TD. Judges said the three politicians to watch for the future are TDs Sean Sherlock and Leo Varadkar and Senator Ciaran Cannon.
The winners will be named next Wednesday.
