Nicholson `is front-runner' for job of US ambassador

The outgoing chairman of the US Republican Party, Mr Jim Nicholson, has emerged as front-runner for appointment as ambassador to Ireland, according to well-placed Republican sources here. Some insist he has already been offered the job.

Not so, say others, who believe a decision has yet to be taken and insist that the Wall Street Irish-American businessman, Mr Michael Finnegan, is a strong contender. He is understood to be receiving strong support for the job from New York Governor George Pataki, whom he served as chief counsel.

Both names are seen as widely acceptable to the Irish-American community, who regard them as "heavy hitters" who would have the clout to keep Ireland well up the US political agenda. An announcement of an appointment is not expected for a couple of months.

Mr Nicholson, a conservative and practising Catholic, rose to national prominence in 1997 when he was elected chairman of the Republican National Committee and embarked on a major fund-raising drive that eliminated the party's $10 million debt. He became more widely known during the last election as a combative polemicist for the party.

Born in 1938 on a poor Iowa tenant farm, Mr Nicholson graduated from West Point and served as a ranger and paratrooper in Vietnam, where he was repeatedly decorated. He has many times referred to his army experience as the key formative period of his life.

Following Vietnam he qualified as a lawyer, practising in Colorado for a few years before launching into his own successful home-building business.

Although not known to have Irish roots - his family is Scottish - he has taken an interest in Irish affairs and in the last few years has been a regular guest at Irish Embassy functions.

Mr Finnegan is a managing director with JP Morgan Securities where he specialises in environmental finance. He served as counsel to Mr Pataki, his former law partner, for three years, advising him on legislative, legal and policy issues. He has been on the Environmental Protection Agency's environment finance advisory board and on the board of the UN Development Programme.

A second-generation Irish-American, he was awarded an Ellis Island Medal of Honour in 1997 in recognition of his service to the Irish-American community.

Among others being mentioned for the job is Ms Peggy Noonan, a conservative columnist who made her name as a speech-writer for President Reagan and worked on the election campaign of Mr Bush's father. Ms Ann Nolan, Republican fund-raiser from Texas, has also been mentioned.