Politician embarrasses herself in desperate attempt to gather "yoof" vote.

dublin | politics / elections | opinion/analysis Saturday May 22, 2004 16:09 by The Kidz

Politicians have a long record of embarrassing themselves seeking the elusive votes of young people. This time however Ivana Bacik has reached what may well be a new low.

Anyone who has seen a politician trying to appear "hip", "street" or whatever other words those crazy kids are using nowadays to describe a real cool cat will be aware of what an awful experience it can be for all concerned. The politician shreds what little dignity he or she has. The assembled youth "massive" find themselves cringing in a strange mixture of horror and sympathy.

Many thought that such behaviour had reached its nadir in the recent British Green Party election broadcast. Green politicians, including candidates for the European Parliament and the Greater London Assembly, tried to get their complex message across in the only language modern kids understand: Rap.

Yes you heard that right. Rap.

Seasoned observers were taken aback then to see such foolishness topped right here in Ireland. Labour is running two candidates in the European elections in Dublin. Their sitting MEP is the dour, grey former Stalinist Prionsias De Rossa. A man less likely to attract the adulation of people under the age of 52 it is hard to imagine. Or those over the age of 52 come to think of it.

Enter Ivana Bacik, a woman unusual in the ranks of the Labour Party in so far as she is not yet eligible for free travel on the bus. This poor man's Mary Robinson is supposed to attract votes from women and younger people. The fact that she holds the Reid Professorship in the Law department of Trinity College gives her a certain veneer of intellectual respectability.

This weekend Dublin boozers were startled to find a new postcard being distributed in the city's watering holes. Along with the usual advertising for nightclubs, brands of vodka and condoms an advert for a politician had appeared.

The bright red piece of cardboard featured a picture of a woman wearing a mask, along with the legend "Kiss with your eyes shut". So far, so meaningless. Closer inspection however revealed the words "Vote Ivana Bacik".

No policies. Not a word about her ideas. Or her experience. Or her suitability for the job. Or anything else in fact. Just "Kiss with your eyes shut - vote Ivana Bacik". The unkind might take that as good advice if you were unlucky enough to find yourself with your tongue in the mouth of the good professor, but really what was the woman thinking?

She managed to smash her dignity into small pieces. She also managed to make Royston Brady's leaflet full of pictures of the big man kicking footballs with "the kids" look like a good idea.

People with an interest in politicians pimping out their dignity should note that the election is still more than a fortnight away. There is still time for someone to top Bacik in the cretin stakes, although it has to be said that only Brady looks like a real contender for her newly won title.