Political bruiser’s leadership wounds are self-inflicted

The Taoiseach has been the maker of his own misfortune after 100 days in office, writes Political Correspondent Shaun Connolly.

IS BRIAN COWEN in power or merely in office? On his 100th day as Taoiseach, the fact that some of his own Fianna Fáil TDs are asking that question proves what a short, sharp, downward steer it has been from when they cheered him to the echo as he set off to receive the seals of office in the glorious early May sunshine to the soggy-looking, battered, administration he heads in the August washout.

Talk of a premature end to his premiership if next year’s local and European elections go badly are merely straws in the wind at this stage, but that it is even whispered shows how far things have deteriorated, and how fast.