grafter1 wrote: Aussiedub wrote: Understandably behind Richard Bruton in this area so why or how did he expect to be formulating policy straight away. He obviously didn't see things that way

Seeing as Bruton is in charge of economic policy, has he been shutting Lee out ?

grafter1 wrote: Kenny is as good as gone.  The media will paint George Lee as a guy who could have been Irelands version of Barack Obama and paint Kenny as a leader who can't recognise talent etc etc.  He'll be gone by April

Have to agree.  I'm guessing Lee figured he could revolutionise politics in Ireland, completely clueless.  A career in politics is worse than hitting your head off a brick wall repeatedly. 

grafter1 wrote: Kenny is as good as gone.  The media will paint George Lee as a guy who could have been Irelands version of Barack Obama and paint Kenny as a leader who can't recognise talent etc etc.  He'll be gone by April

I'd agree with that. The only proviso is that FG are a very conservative party, and  don't have a great history of tracking public opinion.

grafter1 wrote: Kenny is as good as gone.  The media will paint George Lee as a guy who could have been Irelands version of Barack Obama and paint Kenny as a leader who can't recognise talent etc etc.  He'll be gone by April

Good, get Bruton in and there will be a change in government.

 

Point wrote: grafter1 wrote: Aussiedub wrote: Understandably behind Richard Bruton in this area so why or how did he expect to be formulating policy straight away. He obviously didn't see things that way Seeing as Bruton is in charge of economic policy, has he been shutting Lee out ?

I wonder is it a behind the scenes move to try and oust Kenny?
Hmmm.

taz wrote: Point wrote: grafter1 wrote: Aussiedub wrote: Understandably behind Richard Bruton in this area so why or how did he expect to be formulating policy straight away. He obviously didn't see things that way Seeing as Bruton is in charge of economic policy, has he been shutting Lee out ? I wonder is it a behind the scenes move to try and oust Kenny? Hmmm.

If it is it's a pretty stupid use of a resource.

if fairness, my views on enda have been aired here alot (see other EK thread) but George lee has seriously dropped him in it. I mean what would he have expected from 9 months in politics? He's im opposition for chrissakes, FG economic policy means pretty much diddlysquat unless their actually in power so its a huge misjudgement by Lee IMHO.

However it does dredge up the issue of EK'd leadership. After declaring he would 'up his game' in the media this morning, this is a triumphant rebuttal of his abilities to lead the party. Should he have promoted lee to the frontbenches much sooner? There was plenty of clamour amonst FG ranks for this to happen, why did it not so>was he threathened by Lee?

Anyways he's gone now and Enda is in the crapper

FF are

He reckons he's going back to RTE, was just interviewed on Radio1

he's on Newstalk now! 

I'm guessing what Grafter said is correct.  Lee has gotten offered Bird's US job on the sly, and that coupled with his "disillusionment" with politics made the decision for him.  I'd say he'd have been treated the same no matter which party he had joined. 

Also, Irish political favouritism won't be an issue in the US so he's free to take the job.

McCloud wrote: taz wrote: Point wrote: grafter1 wrote: Aussiedub wrote: Understandably behind Richard Bruton in this area so why or how did he expect to be formulating policy straight away. He obviously didn't see things that way Seeing as Bruton is in charge of economic policy, has he been shutting Lee out ? I wonder is it a behind the scenes move to try and oust Kenny? Hmmm. If it is it's a pretty stupid use of a resource.

I know!

Lee has obviously had enough of politics and i doubt he would allow himself be used in anyway by other members of FG in an attempt to oust Kenny.  He knows he'll do enough damage to Kenny as is.

What i'm interested in though is the fact that Lee wouldn't leave right away unless he had something lined up. (He has a wife and a few kids i think) And the question for me is - if he has something lined up - he must have decided that politics wasnt for him probably before Xmas. 

I wonder where he'll end up???  The US role with RTE would be ideal as there's no chance he can revert to his old role - because obviously he won't be considered to be independent

RentACrowd wrote: He reckons he's going back to RTE, was just interviewed on Radio1

If he goes back to RTE what would he be doing? Could hardly go back to his old job. Cannot see him picking up the Birds gig as that would upset others in RTE.

http://media.newstalk.ie/listen_live/popup

McCloud wrote: taz wrote: Point wrote: grafter1 wrote: Aussiedub wrote: Understandably behind Richard Bruton in this area so why or how did he expect to be formulating policy straight away. He obviously didn't see things that way Seeing as Bruton is in charge of economic policy, has he been shutting Lee out ? I wonder is it a behind the scenes move to try and oust Kenny?Hmmm. If it is it's a pretty stupid use of a resource.

I doubt it's like that. Lee comes from outside politics,
particularly Irish politics, with his business backround, he
probably can't endure the slow pace of it all. Most irish
politicians are teachers or lawyers, pretty conservative,
slow moving, professions. In addition, Lee has probably
never encountered a group of heros like the civil service...

Like any smart businessman he realised the task was
bigger than he could achieve, imo. Gives an idea of just
how badly f**ked Ireland is though.

This will force Enda's hand, and in turn create pressure on all parties, particularly the Gormless one.

If I were a FF'er, rather than be gung ho, I'd be watching my back.

Election within six months - mark my words.

grafter1 wrote: because obviously he won't be considered to be independent

I think thats where any future position he thinks he might get with RTE falls right down.

Sounds really bad there - offered him a front bench spot when he tendered his resignation!

Lenden wrote: Sounds really bad there - offered him a front bench spot when he tendered his resignation!

Economic forum and all the rest,all handled very very badly.

fitzy73 wrote: This will force Enda's hand, and in turn create pressure on all parties, particularly the Gormless one. If I were a FF'er, rather than be gung ho, I'd be watching my back. Election within six months - mark my words.

Hopefully, might stir a few green ***** into action.

Desperation stakes alright..So Long Inda

 

Is he not still an RTE employee though, albeit one on a 12 month leave of absence?

He has a few months breathing space before he or RTE have to go public on what his role into the future might be.

Maybe he'll team up with Bird again on some investigative stuff.  They've worked well in the past and the need for George to stay in the back room would suit Charlie's ego just fine.

What was Lee expecting ffs. Tool.

grafter1 wrote: Lee has obviously had enough of politics and i doubt he would allow himself be used in anyway by other members of FG in an attempt to oust Kenny.  He knows he'll do enough damage to Kenny as is. What i'm interested in though is the fact that Lee wouldn't leave right away unless he had something lined up. (He has a wife and a few kids i think) And the question for me is - if he has something lined up - he must have decided that politics wasnt for him probably before Xmas.  I wonder where he'll end up???  The US role with RTE would be ideal as there's no chance he can revert to his old role - because obviously he won't be considered to be independent

I *think* he took a career break from RTE, so he'd go back there, no?

Reflects badly on Lee in my opinion. Sure, things probably were'nt how he imagined them, but what did he expect? With this level of flakiness, I'm glad he never got to be part of government.