In 2007, Enda Kenny famously claimed that to be the leader of Fine Gael one needs the “the reputation of Michael Collins and the personality of Muhammad Ali."
Ten years later, it's all about the X Factor. On RTE's Prime Time last night, David MCullagh asked Simon Coveney about the enduring criticism that while he's perceived as a steady hand, he's boring. Coveney said that's no bad thing.
"The US decided to vote for someone with an X Factor and look at what happened there. Would Boris Johnson make a good PM? I don’t think so."
On the Late Debate last night, Varadkar-loyalist Noel Rock addressed the comments.
"I think what he’s trying to do is push back against the idea of personality politics and the cult of personality and he wants to drive this election in a more policy driven direction. I think that’s worthwhile, reasonable and admirable. I don't want anyone listening to this to think that he made a comparison between Donald Trump or Boris Johnson…."
No, definitely not.
The race continues….
You can listen back to The Late Debate here.