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That Fine Gael leadership contest… May 18, 2017

Posted by WorldbyStorm in Uncategorized.
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Is it just me or does this seem a bit over the top. From the Irish Times, a breathlessly announced ‘tracking poll’ of ‘the keenly anticipated leadership race’

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1. Aengus Millen - May 18, 2017

I agree it’s an awful lot of work especially when councillors for example for whom they’re going to all this trouble barely count at all. I was also very unimpressed by today’s papers coverage. There was a weird dynamic in the dueling profiles they had of Varadakr and Coveney. I feel just the slightest bit of gay solidarity for Varadakar (not that I would ever vote for him or his party) so I detected a bit of an agenda behind the profiles. Coveney’s profile reads like a typical heroes journey. From play boy brought up short by the early death of his father to mixing with the common folk (as the article implies) at agriculture college to td to hard working minister. The line that ends the article basically saying we hope his potential won’t be spoiled was awfully weird. In contrast Varadakar is described as socially awkward ambitions technocratic and cold. Of course the paper also drops in that he’s been dating a doctor for several months in implicit contrast to Coveney’s wife and child(ren?). Anyway would never vote for either and do think that Varadkar is probably worse but thought it was weird that IT would show their hand so forcefully. It doesn’t seem to be working anyway.

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irishelectionliterature - May 19, 2017

Watching Prime Time on Wednesday night they had interviews with all sorts including Coveneys sister in law saying what a great chap he was. Struck me as unusual that someone so close to the candidate was being interviewed.

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2. WorldbyStorm - May 18, 2017

Yeah, it’s weird. I’m no fan of V at all. But neither am I of C. They’re both pretty awful. On a human level though they’re probably, given the constraints of their class and upbringing, more than likely okay.

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3. dublinstreams - May 18, 2017

I wonder how many profiles including the one in the Irish Times will misleadingly suggest it was entirely his decision to reveal he is gay rather then the VIllage Magazine publishing it.

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dublinstreams - May 20, 2017

in the category of nespapers writing things everyone knows is not true “The fact he was about to come out as gay was well-known in media circles but nobody dared write it until the minister went public.” http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/politics/how-a-twoyear-plan-fell-perfectly-into-place-as-varadkar-swept-his-rival-aside-in-leadership-race-35735680.html

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4. Aengus Millen - May 19, 2017

Also I really don’t understand the niches they are trying to carve out especially on Coveney’s side. He claims to be very concerned with social justice but, besides being entirely unconvincing, I have yet to here any details on what that means except for somewhat worrying references to family and community which are fine themselves but alway turn nightmarish in conservative hands.

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5. irishelectionliterature - May 19, 2017

I don’t think it’s over the top at all.
Leadership elections in FF and FG are rare events and a leadership election where the winner should become Taoiseach even rarer. I think Albert Reynolds taking over from Charlie Haughey was the last time.
FG have not had a leadership election in 15 years.
FF have had one leadership election since 1994.
There is also the fact that the membership have a vote in this too, so the electorate is slightly larger than normal.

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WorldbyStorm - May 19, 2017

When you put it that way I see your point. Still I wonder how much it resonates beyond the politically involved or interested…

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irishelectionliterature - May 19, 2017

I don’t think it really resonates outside those involved or interested… but don’t think much Political coverage (outside of a General Election or a Political scandal) resonates anyway.

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WorldbyStorm - May 19, 2017

Yeah, that’s true.

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An Cathaoirleach - May 20, 2017

Dr. L opens up a huge age gap against the other party leaders. He is 19 years younger than MM & 31 years younger than GA. His election will raise issues of succession for other parties. Indeed EK is 3 years younger than GA.

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irishelectionliterature - May 20, 2017

The other thing that you can get in a leadership election is one side badmouthing the other , so what is often private bitching is played out in public….. witness Kate O’Connells tirade yesterday .

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6. sonofstan - May 19, 2017

Leo and Paschal in 2 Boys Brew in Phibsboro’ this morning. D7 Granita?
I thought it weird that the Guardian on Weds (Henry Mac) outlined the contenders as being ‘Leo Varadkar, who is gay, and Simon Coveney, who was once minister of defense’

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Joe - May 19, 2017

Phibsboro eh? Which brings up the crucial question: What football teams do they follow? Well, Coveney has to be Cork City but Varadkar? We should be told.

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An Cathaoirleach - May 20, 2017

Castleknock GAA. Very much not a St. Brigid’s man.

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Joe - May 21, 2017

I said football not gaa, a Chathaoirligh.

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An Cathaoirleach - May 21, 2017

Joe, I am afraid the only club I ever heard him connected with was the aforementioned GAA club. He was pictured attending some rugby matches in the past, but soccer, perhaps is not his thing.

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EWI - May 21, 2017

How many paragraphs did MacDonald dedicate to where they stand on the key question of our day, namely PSF? 😎

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7. irishelectionliterature - May 19, 2017

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8. GW - May 21, 2017

I rise from my pallet half an hour early (5.30) to track with bated breath the titanic struggle between these two statesmen.

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