Originally posted by Welger AP630:
Speculation George Lee will be FG byelection candidate

Does anybody else see major ethical issues with this? He has been providing   (fair?  )   comment on the Govt`s handling of the economic crisis for a few years now and now he is reportedly going to run for the opposition?

Originally posted by JHume:


It`s not all that surprising. Grassroot party organisations, especially in urban areas have decayed to the point where they exist on little more than paper.

Originally posted by dubliner 2:
Here`s the thing. Lee is an acknowledged expert on economic issues. Is he not exactly the kind of person who should be in the Dail, and indeed in government? Look at who FF are running. Showing nothing but contempt for the electorate as usual. At least FG have gone and got a candidate that is credible on the major issue facing the country. FF get yet another member of the extended FF family who is employed by Anglo Irish Bank FFS.

Originally posted by Blanco:
RTE News at one has stated that he is expected to be unveiled as the FG candidate this evening.

Will he have to step down from the RTE job with immediate effect?

This message has been edited - 05-may-2009 @ 13:38

Originally posted by JHume:


I`d agreed on Shay Brennan though. Not a particularly credible candidate. And having dillied and dallied for so long over letting himself be nominated he has further undermined himself.

I don`t know much about the constituency, but playing the card of a sympathy-vote/appeal-to-the-Brennan-machine doesn`t seem likely to wash in the current political climate.

Originally posted by Clash the Ash:


Don`t agree with you there JHume on the Shay Brennan issue. I`m from the constituency   (won`t be voting for him so that doesn`t come into it  )   and I can see him making it if he`s got much in the way of ability. The resons are:

1. Seamus was hugely popular in the local area, he did a lot for the local people and was always seen as a local politition who happened to be also at the national level.

2. No one will have the balls to shut the door in the face of Shay knowing that he`s campaining for his dead fathers seat. This at least gives him a chance to say his piece that most FF candidates wouldn`t get.

3. Because Seamus died before all of this blew up, his good name is largely intact. Obviously he was involved in the whole mess but not having him on the TV annouincing cuts, tax`s etc means that there isn`t the same level of backlash towards his name as towards other FF individuals. In a way he`s prob a bit of a nostalgic link back to the good `oul times.

Thats just my reading of the situation and when you take what seamus was polling then there is some leway for disgruntled voters and still winning the seat. All up to the young lad now.

Originally posted by Shoneen O Horlicks:


The fact that he works for Anglo Irish Bank should put paid to his chances.

Originally posted by Welger AP630:
Speculation George Lee will be FG byelection candidate

Does anybody else see major ethical issues with this? He has been providing   (fair?  )   comment on the Govt`s handling of the economic crisis for a few years now and now he is reportedly going to run for the opposition?

Originally posted by Hold that Line:
Everybody is hopping on the FG bandwagon these days knowing they are likely to be in government after the next election.

Originally posted by greg:


Agreed - Lee was approached by Fine Gael to run in the 2002 election but of course he knew their a***s were going to be kicked in that election so he chose to decline at that stage which was a wise decision but he certainly is an opportunist.

This message has been edited - 05-may-2009 @ 15:05

Originally posted by Bright Vision:

Hmmmm….the choice between a lowly bank employee and a well regarded economist with a history of uncovering bank corruption and producing pragmatic economic solutions. Considering this is the constituency which until the last election always returned a safe PD seat, is predominantly middle class and has the highest level of University attendance, there can only be one outcome.

Originally posted by Clash the Ash:

Don`t agree with you there JHume on the Shay Brennan issue. I`m from the constituency   (won`t be voting for him so that doesn`t come into it  )   and I can see him making it if he`s got much in the way of ability. The resons are:

1. Seamus was hugely popular in the local area, he did a lot for the local people and was always seen as a local politition who happened to be also at the national level.

2. No one will have the balls to shut the door in the face of Shay knowing that he`s campaining for his dead fathers seat. This at least gives him a chance to say his piece that most FF candidates wouldn`t get.

3. Because Seamus died before all of this blew up, his good name is largely intact. Obviously he was involved in the whole mess but not having him on the TV annouincing cuts, tax`s etc means that there isn`t the same level of backlash towards his name as towards other FF individuals. In a way he`s prob a bit of a nostalgic link back to the good `oul times.

Thats just my reading of the situation and when you take what seamus was polling then there is some leway for disgruntled voters and still winning the seat. All up to the young lad now.