FF hails accidental candidate as Gaybo ponders late, late bid

THE accidental president.

This is a term that could stick with Gay Byrne if he decides to run and even wins the presidential race. But anything can still happen between now and October 27.

Having been thrown into the limelight last week by a random radio poll which put the veteran broadcaster as favourite for the Áras, it now looks like the septuagenarian is strongly considering polishing off his 50 years of chat shows by entering the race.

The development has played out very quickly. There’s been some criticism of Fianna Fáil party leader Micheál Martin after he went over the heads of the parliamentary party and phoned Byrne directly on the weekend with an offer of support.

But the move rejuvenated members’ spirits. Some FF TDs are already putting their money on the former Late Late Show host, even though he still has to declare any intention to run.

Limerick TD Willie O’Dea only recently suggested the party should not run a candidate in the race. But the former defence minister was falling over himself with praise for Byrne yesterday when he told RTÉ: “He’d be an outstanding candidate. He’d be an excellent president.”

In fact, party members were queuing up on the airwaves yesterday, sounding ecstatic about the prospect of Byrne running for FF.

Mary O’Rourke told Newstalk 106fm: “He’s experienced and reliable and he has seen life. I just think he ticks all the boxes.”

Her comments come five days after the former minister told the same station that the party should not run someone in the race.

Others who are backing Byrne include TDs Niall Collins and Seán Fleming.

So in just a matter of days, some leading party members have thrown their weight behind the idea of a star television presenter winning a place in the Áras for Fianna Fáil (Byrne has stressed he would run as an Independent candidate were he to enter the race, but FF would waste no time claiming the glory if he won).

But there are dissenting voices who still want to back MEP Brian Crowley for the job. The 47-year-old Munster representative made it known as far back as September 2008 that he was interested in running.

His recent letter to party TDs and senators pushed for support, when he said: “I believe I have the character and competence to communicate that spirit which defines our country, our people and our history.”

One Munster party member, who wanted to remain anonymous, yesterday said Crowley would be a “very good candidate” while Wexford’s John Browne reiterated his support for his friend and colleague: “I’ve nothing against Gay Byrne but if Brian goes, I will back him.”

Fianna Fáil sources yesterday revealed that Crowley pulled just 11% of support for the presidency in a recent poll of party followers.

“He had no traction at all. And [Mary] Hanafin and [Éamon] Ó Cuív were even further down,” said the party member.

The poll is believed to be one of the reasons why some TDs were suggesting Fianna Fáil should not run anyone at all. But Crowley still has his followers.

Micheál Martin will have to get his parliamentary troops into line, whatever decision is taken early next month. Any split on which candidate to back could add to Martin’s difficulty in trying to rebuild the party.

Byrne’s move to distance himself a little though from Fianna Fáil seems mutual. Even party TD Fleming said this week that the broadcaster needed to get broad-based support and not just a block vote from 20 FF Oireachtas members.

And while Byrne and FF hold backroom discussions and the 77-year-old makes up his mind, the Independents in the Dáil are also deciding who they will back after David Norris withdrew from the race.

Finian McGrath confirmed yesterday that a list of 11 potential candidates is doing the rounds among his colleagues. The Dublin TD has already made it clear that Independents want to back someone for the Áras who has no political leaning and is “squeaky clean”.

Therefore, if Byrne was to get the backing of some Independents as well as some Fianna Fáil Oireachtas members, he would be in the race but not directly affiliated with any one party.

Already bookmakers are giving odds of just 4-1 on Byrne winning the race.

But it really will come down to his own choice.

While he could continue with his still successful radio and TV programmes, Byrne would risk a lot if his presidential campaign failed.

It is also possible other candidates could enter the race. Like a jigsaw it could all come together, or just fall apart over the coming weeks for Fianna Fáil’s new-found affair with Byrne.

To whom it concerns, this could be a late, late presidential race.