George Lee is the Fine Gael candidate for Dublin South

[parakeet]

I think George Lee is an awful candidate. I think people don't want doom. They want hope. George Lee has been predicting catastrophe for the past decade. Now, this might seem fine, but spillt milk is soon forgotten. People know the economy has gone belly-up, but they want vision now. George Lee has no vision, but still I would like to wait till tomorrow. I think that FG are talking up the announcement, so that they can get a large media frenzy going in the morning and lead to a huge turnout at their press conference, ensuring that the story is plastered all over the place, whoever is the candidate.

[hiding behind a poster]

I think George Lee is an awful candidate. I think people don't want doom. They want hope. George Lee has been predicting catastrophe for the past decade. Now, this might seem fine, but spillt milk is soon forgotten. People know the economy has gone belly-up, but they want vision now. George Lee has no vision, but still I would like to wait till tomorrow. I think that FG are talking up the announcement, so that they can get a large media frenzy going in the morning and lead to a huge turnout at their press conference, ensuring that the story is plastered all over the place, whoever is the candidate.

I think right now you'll find that people want politicians who know what they're talking about. Go out and ask people who'd be better to run the economy - Mary Coughlan or George Lee - and it wouldn't be much of a contest.

[parakeet]

I think right now you'll find that people want politicians who know what they're talking about. Go out and ask people who'd be better to run the economy - Mary Coughlan or George Lee - and it wouldn't be much of a contest.

But that is not the contest - the choice is between Lee (if he is indeed running!), Brennan (the son of seems to be his only qualification to run) and White, who has been on the ground for a year and is well liked and is certainly a mover and shaker.

[stewiegriffin]

I get the feeling this will be about more than 'local issues' tho.

[hiding behind a poster]

I get the feeling this will be about more than local issues tho.

If ever, especially in Dublin South, there was a by-election that would be fought on national issues, its this one.

[LeftOfCentre]

must say I feel a little betrayed (i'm not being partisan btw) .... This move is almost as cynical as Tom Parlons move to head up the CIF or Berie appointing Eoin Harris to the Senate.

I really liked George but now see him simply as a guy who has been pushing a party agenda. Shame on RTE for not curbing his air time when they were plainly aware of his strong anti FF feeling.

A Bad Day for non partisan media coverage.

[hiding behind a poster]

must say I feel a little betrayed (i'm not being partisan btw) .... This move is almost as cynical as Tom Parlons move to head up the CIF.

I really don't see the similarity. Can you elaborate?

I really liked George but now see him simply as a guy who has been pushing a party agenda.

If anything he said was incorrect, again please point it out.

Shame on RTE for not curbing his air time when they were plainly aware of his strong anti FF feeling.

A Bad Day for non partisan media coverage.

I think given RTE's previous form in this regard - from the fawning apology to Cowen over the painting incident, through to running the disgraceful Hep C docu-drama about Noonan in the runup to the 2002 election, to having Bertie Ahern as a soccer pundit, and via the decision to have a woman whose brother was a Fianna Fail candidate to "moderate" the 2007 Leaders' Debate (I mean, FFS!) - if there's any charge of partisanship to be made against RTE, then its not in the direction you're claiming.

[H.R. Haldeman]

must say I feel a little betrayed (i'm not being partisan btw) .... This move is almost as cynical as Tom Parlons move to head up the CIF.

I really liked George but now see him simply as a guy who has been pushing a party agenda. Shame on RTE for not curbing his air time when they were plainly aware of his strong anti FF feeling.

A Bad Day for non partisan media coverage.

The problem for commentators seeking to appear impartial is that the fact of the matter - FF fked everything up - coincidentally sounds like a partisan statement. But it is merely a coincidence. Misdiagnosing this as bias or impartiality is misguided.

[LeftOfCentre]

I really don't see the similarity. Can you elaborate?

Well .... In both instances the concerned individuals where approached by an organization attracted mainly by their media profile, , , as apposed to their abilities.

I'm sure both would have been good prospective candidates for their posts, but I am also sure that they probably would not have been chosen If it we're not for their media profile & perceived contacts / (or media gravitas).

Merit & hard work , is what should drive politics, , , a 'celebratocracy' is the last thing we need.

If anything he said was incorrect, again please point it out.

Well while he has been the 'most right' commentator... he certainly hasn't been flawless.

But the point is .. . . . I value non partisan, objective commentary above all other opinion. Up to now believed thats what I was getting ,,,, I now know It was anti FF, pro FG comment. . . . Thats not to say any of it was 'untrue', just that I was giving it more creedance than I should have been.

In particular I remember him loosing it on the late debate a month or so ago .... and I was much more impressed hearing a non party person loosing it at the current government than say ... hearing Eamon Gilmore loosing it for example.

I think given RTE's previous form in this regard - from the fawning apology to Cowen over the painting incident, through to running the disgraceful Hep C docu-drama about Noonan in the runup to the 2002 election, to having Bertie Ahern as a soccer pundit, and via the decision to have a woman whose brother was a Fianna Fail candidate to "moderate" the 2007 Leaders' Debate (I mean, FFS!) - if there's any charge of partisanship to be made against RTE, then its not in the direction you're claiming.

I'm certainly not suggesting RTE is pro FG, , , , I am simply suggesting that non partisan political coverage is essential & and potential '''corruption''' of this should be strongly opposed.

In saying all of this ..... like many .. it will be nice to see a familiar face becomming a politician, as apposed to a faceless middle aged no name.

But when we the people are 'interviewing' -would be- legislators.... I believe that the 'celebrity factor ' should be way down the agenda. Particularly when the said celebrity built their reputation based on a non partisan, tax payer funded platform.

[hiding behind a poster]

Well .... In both instances the concerned individuals where approached by an organization attracted mainly by their media profile, , , as apposed to their abilities.

I'm sure both would have been good prospective candidates for their posts, but I am also sure that they probably would not have been chosen If it we're not for their media profile & perceived contacts / (or media gravitas).

Merit & hard work , is what should drive politics, , , a 'celebratocracy' is the last thing we need.

I think those are an extraordinary series of statements. Are you seriously suggesting that Lee was reading his analysis out off a card? Yes, he has media profile - but he has media profile precisely because of his extraordinary ability as an economic analyst. To actually suggest, as you do, that Lee has a media profile "as opposed to actual ability", just beggars belief.

Well while he has been the 'most right' commentator... he certainly hasn't been flawless.

So you agree his analysis has been better than anyone else's. But does it now have to be "flawless"? If so, why? Is Alex White flawless? Is Shay Brennan flawless? Is Brian Lenihan flawless? Why are you setting a required standard for Lee that's way in excess of anyone else? Lee is standing for election, not being imposed on you. If he's elected, its because the voters view him as the best candidate - not as the perfect one.

But the point is .. . . . I value non partisan, objective commentary above all other opinion. Up to now believed thats what I was getting ,,,, I now know It was anti FF, pro FG comment. . . . Thats not to say any of it was 'untrue', just that I was giving it more creedance than I should have been.

But as you say, none of what he said was untrue. And as another poster said - if FF f*cked up the economy, is it partisan to say that FF f*cked up the economy?

In particular I remember him loosing it on the late debate a month or so ago .... and I was much more impressed hearing a non party person loosing it at the current government than say ... hearing Eamon Gilmore loosing it for example.

Again, if you disagree with what he said, that would hold more weight than disagreeing with an alleged motivation for saying it.


I'm certainly not suggesting RTE is pro FG, , , , I am simply suggesting that non partisan political coverage is essential & and potential '''corruption''' of this should be strongly opposed.

In saying all of this ..... like many .. it will be nice to see a familiar face becomming a politician, as apposed to a faceless middle aged no name.

But when we the people are 'interviewing' -would be- legislators.... I believe that the 'celebrity factor ' should be way down the agenda.

In what way is Lee a celebrity? Has anyone ever taken the slightest interest in anything about him other than what he does as a professional? Do we see him in VIP magazine? Does he get snapped at sports events?

Particularly when the said celebrity built their reputation based on a non partisan, tax payer funded platform.

To be honest, you're grasping at straws now. Lee built his reputation on the basis of being excellent at what he does. Had RTE sacked him for daring to have a political thought of his own any time in the last few years, he'd have been snapped up by TV3, Newstalk, or one of the papers. And his candidacy for FG would still be just as much of a coup for that party.