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Periscope by Niall O'Dowd

Irish presidential election thrown wide open by unpopular Fine Gael pick of Gay Mitchell

Posted on Saturday, July 09, 2011 at 09:22 PM

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Fine Gael have picked the least popular candidate from their ranks to run for president of Ireland in Gay Mitchell pictured center above with Prime Minister Enda Kenny after his election.

His selection throws the race for president of Ireland wide open again.

It was Fine Gael's to lose and they may just have.

The bookmaker's immediate reaction was to make Labor's Michael D. Higgins favorite at 7/4 with David Norris second favorite at 15/8 and Gay Mitchell only third choice at 9/4.

They are the party in power and by far the most popular but they have picked a man who will forever be known as ' the evil of two lessers.'

That is how a political opponent memorably described him when comparing Gay Mitchell and his late brother Jim when both were active in politics.

The party leadership knew this and tried with might and main to stop him but they failed miserably.

They imported a candidate,Pat Cox, who just recently joined the party and was a former European Parliament president.

However Cox never caught on with the party faithful.

How unpopular is Mitchell? Well I beat him in a national opinion poll when I was exactly one day in the race during my short-lived candidacy last month, as did every other candidate.

Here is how the Sunday Independent reported on the Prime Minister's reaction to Mitchell's victory.

"TAOISEACH Enda Kenny slumped and could barely contain his disappointment at the moment Gay Mitchell was announced as Fine Gael's Presidential nominee at a special party convention yesterday.

"Mr Kenny's preferred candidate, Pat Cox, was eliminated after the first count after receiving less than 25 per cent of the vote. Mr Mitchell comfortably won on the second count, 55 per cent to 45 per cent, ahead of Mairead McGuinness, at the convention held at the Regency Hotel, Dublin. The result was announced shortly after 5pm, somewhat earlier than had been anticipated.

"A clearly unimpressed Mr Kenny spoke sternly to Mr Mitchell after a press conference, during which Mr Mitchell revealed he was to take a week's holidays.

Making clear his displeasure to Mr Mitchell in front of reporters, Mr Kenny said: "Take your holidays and enjoy it because, believe you me, when you come back you better be ready for one hell of a campaign."

That says it all ----The problem with Mitchell is not that he is not an astute politician -- he certainly is.

Rather he is too associated with the black arts, a consummate in-fighter who won the nomination by running a clever campaign aimed at his party grassroots and blackening his opponents as blow ins.

He portrayed his two opponents as Johnny come latelies to the party, which they were and he won as a result.

But the president of Ireland is not a job that people want political fixers in.

They want someone with the style of a Mary Robinson or Mary McAleese who can help the country focus on the vision thing as President Bush once described it.

Mitchell could no doubt get your plumbing fixed but he won't inspire anybody.

Which is why Labor Party candidate Micheal D Higgins is likely the favorite now to win.

He has that vision and intellect, his major drawback is his age at 71.

David Norris, the gay independent candidate, will also be happy at the Fine Gael outcome feeling it improves his chances.

It will be a fascinating election.

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Towngate | Jul 13, 2011, 04:11 AM EDT

I think this photo speaks volumes! Gay almost seems to be saying " Lookit, Kenny, I can talk out of the side of me mouth and look side-ways,just as good as you can! ~ and later on, I'm going to repay you big-time for what you said after my Selection ~ and don't ever forget that you started it! ~ Enda's best hope is that Gay won't win the Aras!

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tullyallen | Jul 13, 2011, 03:51 AM EDT

two gay candidates!

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themurphia | Jul 11, 2011, 11:31 AM EDT

Plagiarism is a dangerous thing...but useful when building a case for the prosecution...every day a little more is revealed... pilib04Now you're talking there's a man to be reckoned with...but not just yet...

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Towngate | Jul 11, 2011, 10:41 AM EDT

cillowen: A very interesting observation of yours @09.30., but what about this for 'a slow ball in the long game': If King Gerry ever did make it - it would almost certainly mean that Queenie,her Heirs or Successors, ~ maybe even Grandson King Billy II, himself ~ might once again start looking towards The Emerald Gem of the West....

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petedev | Jul 11, 2011, 10:20 AM EDT

Danny Morrison is a non starter. The Irish people are not going to elect anyone about whom there is a whiff of semtex.

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GeorgeDillon | Jul 11, 2011, 09:51 AM EDT

pilibo4: Not a bad idea. I met Danny Morrison when I was young member of Irish Northern Aid back in the late 1980s. I was impressed with him. I believe he's no longer a member of Sinn Fein, which is to his credit.

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Towngate | Jul 11, 2011, 03:25 AM EDT

Niall, a chara: The popular selection of Gay Mitchell has clearly put Enda Kenny's nose out of joint! He made his disapproval clear publicly and 'in no uncertain terms'! He has been going round with his face like a smacked arse ever since! ~ and the bigger cracks are beginning to appear! (1)He Promised to 'keep out' of the Aras selection.(2)He Promised to protect Roscommon Hospital! ~ both spectacularly broken! A hospital protester screamed at him: "We destroyed Fianna Fail - for YOU!". ~ a sign that the 'Parish Pump' grassroots might be sprouting up again! / / / If Gay is installed in the Aras, Enda may keep looking over his shoulder and those who attempted to topple him last time may gain a bigger scalp in the near future.

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cillowen | Jul 10, 2011, 09:50 PM EDT

the southies fear sinn fein - makes em nervous of having no UK queenie coming, to worship.

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pilib04 | Jul 10, 2011, 09:18 PM EDT

Sinn Fein should put up Danny Morrison for President. Certainly he has the credentials. He is a wonderful person, a good public speaker and honest to a fault. Just what we need in a President. Then there is Mary Lou McDonald TD, but she would have to give up her seat from Dublin Central in order to be President.

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petedev | Jul 10, 2011, 02:48 PM EDT

Another totally inaccurate headline. Gay Mitchell is the man the party wanted. The Party is NOT Enda Kenny, so while he may have had his preference, the party has spoken and the vast majority of Fine Gael supporters are delighted with this choice of a genuine committed Party member, not some johnny come lately opportunist!! roll on the vote!!!

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jacersagain | Jul 10, 2011, 09:28 AM EDT

Nah, spudia, what we need is a President for the nation. Dorris is already deaded, diaspora what the genteel folk are lead'ed to beleevein his swollen nappiia. I'll still wanna see the Cox man go ferit.

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themurphia | Jul 10, 2011, 08:01 AM EDT

Labour under no illusion the Senator will only be keeping the seat warm..! Still no word from St John of Derry...not to be confused with his eponymous (almost)ichthyological cousin? Thinking about it he may even be older...just saying buh not to be ageist or anyt'in!...Has Dorris received any nominations...? It might be a fascinating election if the candidates had any real gravitas...I think the plod for the Park is really just a vanity project and an unaffordable luxury...!What we need is a Trot...!

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