 A Fine Gael election strategy document leaked in 2015 described Michael as 'someone who hides behind "the veneer of a friendly/simple country yokel" but who is "unbeatable electorally"'.After the 2016 election, Michael and Danny aligned themselves with other rural independents during separate negotiations with Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil.Michael publicly proposed creation of a Minister for Rural Affairs, while playing down media suggestions he himself might take the position.