Cute as a fox, Rabbitte to burrow way to top

Bradley Bytes – A sort of political column with Dara Bradley

Some say she’s as mad as a March hare. Others reckon she’s as cute as a fox. But one thing is for sure, there are no flies on Anne Rabbitte.
Written off as an also ran by many commentators prior to the last general election, Rabbitte has proved her political pedigree since taking out party running mate and rival – Colm Keaveney, the Labour Party defect – and assuming her seat in Dáil Éireann.
The Galway East TD proved she can achieve anything when she puts her mind to it – though she has a fear of heights, Anne climbed up onto the roof of the Hogan Stand at Croke Park and abseiled down onto the pitch. All for mental health charity Jigsaw.
Now that the Fianna Fáil spokesperson on Children and Youth Affairs has overcome her fear of physical heights, party members believe she is setting her sights on even dizzier heights – the leadership of the Soldiers of Destiny.
She’s only a rookie, but already Rabbitte has impressed as a parliamentarian, and hardworking constituency TD, carving out a niche in the area of health and social justice.
Fianna Fáil has never elected a woman to lead it; and there’s no reason to suggest it is about to change on that score any time soon.
But watch out Micheál Martin, because close observers of the Portumna rookie reckon that cute-as-a-fox Rabbitte is waiting in the long grass, plotting about how best to burrow her way to the top. Rabbitte is a dark horse and like a Duracell bunny, she certainly has the stamina.

For more Bradley Bytes see this week’s Galway City Tribune