Sir, - The Labour Party would appear to have an ideal presidential candidate right under its nose in the person of the writer Frank McCourt. Born in New York (like Eamon de Valera) Frank is highly articulate and presentable and does not carry any political baggage. His early struggle in Limerick against abject poverty and a largely indifferent society give him a personal understanding of the underprivileged.
As a presidential candidate he would be living proof that in Ireland a deprived childhood need not prevent anyone from aspiring to the highest position in the State (an Irish equivalent of the American log cabin to White House dream, though in Frank's instance it would a case of rising to the Phoenix from the ashes.
I'm surprised that Dr T.K. Whitaker, architect of Irelqnd's economic revival in the 1960s, has not been considered as a potential President. And what about Nick Robinson? He was most supportive to the marvellous Mary during the past seven years and perhaps he could be tempted to stay back when the missus takes off to fresh fields. At least he knows better than anyone what the job entails. - Yours etc.,
From Jim Walsh
Raheny, Dublin 5.