Ivan Yates Calls Out Controversy Surrounding Smear the Bejaysus Remark as Nonsense
Political pundit Ivan Yates has recently stirred controversy with his comments about opposition candidate Catherine Connolly, drawing reactions from other political figures, including Heather Humphreys. Yates, a former Fine Gael minister, shared his thoughts on his podcast, “Calling It,” about how Fine Gael could tackle Connolly’s rising popularity in the presidential race.
Yates’ Controversial Remarks
During the podcast, Yates suggested that Fine Gael should “smear the bejaysus” out of Connolly. He argued that a bold approach was necessary, claiming that the party had nothing to lose. He expressed his hypothetical strategy by stating, “Do you want a provo in the park? Is she a Russian asset?”
Political Backlash
His statement ignited significant backlash. Heather Humphreys, a fellow presidential candidate, quickly distanced herself from Yates’ comments. Connolly also criticized the notion of negative campaigning, stating, “Get out the big guns and create an atmosphere of fear, and nothing works as good as negative campaigning.”
Yates’ Response to Criticism
In response to the outcry, Yates dismissed the criticism as “BS,” likening the blame directed at him to blaming a sports figure for a team’s struggles. He clarified his role in political commentary, emphasizing that he has not been involved with Fine Gael since 2009 when he began working with Newstalk.
- Yates described his role as that of an analyst and commentator.
- He expressed frustration over what he perceives as a distortion of his involvement in Connolly’s campaign.
- Yates remarked that the criticism seemed driven by Connolly’s campaign efforts.
Conclusion
The fallout from Yates’ comments illustrates the intense nature of political discourse in the run-up to elections. Whether these comments will have lasting implications for either candidate remains to be seen as the race continues to unfold.
