Who is trying to stop David Norris?
Irish Times columnist Noel Whelan, having worked for Fianna Fail on the McAleese and Lenihan Snr. campaigns (so, we must assume, knows a thing or three about these things) smells a rat.
What makes the attack on him [Norris] particularly insidious is that it seeks to play to crude and horrible caricatures of gay men. What makes the timing of this controversy potentially so damaging is that it has broken just as Norris is approaching county councils looking for a nomination. This week, for example, the controversial Burke interview has featured in e-mails sent anonymously to many county councillors. This sabotage is clearly co-ordinated and designed to scuttle the Norris campaign even before he gets into the forum of public opinion.
Overall the presidential election is a mismatch. There are no fewer than six declared contenders and another half a dozen potential contenders. This presidential contest is Fine Gael’s to lose – which may explain why they are being so careful about choosing a candidate.
This race may still lack an obvious front runner but one thing is clear: David Norris deserves a place on the starting blocks.
Insidious Jibes Grist To Mill In Race For Áras (Noel Whelan, Irish Times)