Presidential Election 2025

[Dubit10]

What a farce of an election. 2 candidates is laughable stuff.

[schmittel]

Billy Kelleher coming up on Morning Ireland....

[Statsman]

Can we discuss Martin's future over here: viewtopic.php?f=59&t=2552

and keep this thread for the Presidentials?

[Statsman]

I'm pretty gutted, to be honest (well, sort of). I went to bed with a choice of three candidates for the Presidency, each of whom was, in their own unique way, entirely unsuited to the role, and I wake up to two.

CC must be clear favourite now, and I may well end up voting for her, simply because she's not FG, but in my view her judgement has been damaged beyond repair, both by her wilful flaunting of security in Kildare Street and her, at best, lukewarm attitude to Europe, which sails a bit close tot he Daly/Wallace wind for my liking.

And then there's the 'I'm right, I'm always right' refusal to acknowledge that anything she says or does might be a bit problematical, which is not how a president needs to act, not at all.

I expect she'll win, and I wouldn't be in the least bit surprised if she fails to go the full seven years. It seems quite likely that she will at some point find herself in conflict with the government of the day, with a possible 21st century 'Cearbhall Ó Dálaigh' moment as the outcome.

She has achieved one thing already; for the first time in my life I'm seriously considering not bothering to vote.

[midlander12]

I'm pretty gutted, to be honest (well, sort of). I went to bed with a choice of three candidates for the Presidency, each of whom was, in their own unique way, entirely unsuited to the role, and I wake up to two.

CC must be clear favourite now, and I may well end up voting for her, simply because she's not FG, but in my view her judgement has been damaged beyond repair, both by her wilful flaunting of security in Kildare Street and her, at best, lukewarm attitude to Europe, which sails a bit close tot he Daly/Wallace wind for my liking.

And then there's the 'I'm right, I'm always right' refusal to acknowledge that anything she says or does might be a bit problematical, which is not how a president needs to act, not at all.

I expect she'll win, and I wouldn't be in the least bit surprised if she fails to go the full seven years. It seems quite likely that she will at some point find herself in conflict with the government of the day, with a possible 21st century 'Cearbhall Ó Dálaigh' moment as the outcome.

She has achieved one thing already; for the first time in my life I'm seriously considering not bothering to vote.

I'm the same. I can't stand CC and I think that if she gets elected, she may cause the budding left-wing alliance some embarrassment over the next few years I was just thinking a couple of weeks ago that she and Maria Steen reminded me of two aspects of the 1980's that really used to get me down - the dour, humourless, cliche-spouting left ideologue on the one hand and the prissy, 'it'd never happen to me' pro-life moral crusader on the other. In between were the other 70% of us who just wanted a life. Up to now CC has been the favourite largely by dint of being able to string a sentence together unlike the other two. It's the content of the sentences that's the problem.

I'd love to have seen a straight fight between her and Mairead McGuinness. McGuinness would not have let her away with her woolly Eurosceptic 'Russia shouldn't have invaded we shouldn't do anything to stop them' peacenik nonsense. It would have been interesting (and unpredictable) to watch.

I didn't vote last time because Higgins was a shoo-in, I'm not a huge fan of him and I couldn't stomach any of the others. I don't know what to do this time, I suppose 'Ehhther' would cause less problems long-term.

[Random Lurker]

Gavin has just given up. Now it is a two horse race only:
https://www.thejournal.ie/jim-gavin-wit ... op-stories

He has seven All-Irelands in Senior Football as player and manager, but Irish presidential elections are Senior Hurling. Always were.

[Gatsbygirl]

I'm pretty gutted, to be honest (well, sort of). I went to bed with a choice of three candidates for the Presidency, each of whom was, in their own unique way, entirely unsuited to the role, and I wake up to two.

CC must be clear favourite now, and I may well end up voting for her, simply because she's not FG, but in my view her judgement has been damaged beyond repair, both by her wilful flaunting of security in Kildare Street and her, at best, lukewarm attitude to Europe, which sails a bit close tot he Daly/Wallace wind for my liking.

And then there's the 'I'm right, I'm always right' refusal to acknowledge that anything she says or does might be a bit problematical, which is not how a president needs to act, not at all.

I expect she'll win, and I wouldn't be in the least bit surprised if she fails to go the full seven years. It seems quite likely that she will at some point find herself in conflict with the government of the day, with a possible 21st century 'Cearbhall Ó Dálaigh' moment as the outcome.

She has achieved one thing already; for the first time in my life I'm seriously considering not bothering to vote.

I was going to vote for Connolly as the best of a bad lot, ,but am very rattled at the gun woman revelation, and the way she handled it. Particularly annoying is the attempt at deflection,, and her rather arrogant, high-horse implication that the story should not have come into the public domain "Don't you think the public have a right to know?" Aine Lawloe asked her. I didn't expect to see that aspect of Connolly's personality.

I can't imagine voting for HH, although I'm sure on a personal level she is a warm person etc

In a way, I'm glad Gavin is gone. It was just too awful watching that car crash unfolding every time he appeared on TV.

Those who remember me from Pie will recall that I often defended Michael Martin from the appalling personal abuse and name-calling he was continually subjected to over there, but this is a total disaster for him. He must absolutely take the blame

What a sh1t show.

[Statsman]

I was going to vote for Connolly as the best of a bad lot, ,but am very rattled at the gun woman revelation, and the way she handled it. Particularly annoying is the attempt at deflection,, and her rather arrogant, high-horse implication that the story should not have come into the public domain "Don't you think the public have a right to know?" Aine Lawloe asked her. I didn't expect to see that aspect of Connolly's personality.

I can't imagine voting for HH, although I'm sure on a personal level she is a warm person etc

In a way, I'm glad Gavin is gone. It was just too awful watching that car crash unfolding every time he appeared on TV.

Those who remember me from Pie will recall that I often defended Michael Martin from the appalling personal abuse and name-calling he was continually subjected to over there, but this is a total disaster for him. He must absolutely take the blame

What a sh1t show.

GDPR, and Data Protection in general, is one part of a balance of rights, and was never intended to protect those who act recklessly with the physical security of a national parliament. Ever.

[Statsman]

And then there are the financials:

https://www.thebriefing.ie/the-financia ... owing-out/

If nothing else, Jim Gavin dropping out of the residential race will be a financial hit to Fianna Fáil.

They will likely have banked and budgeted for him hitting the threshold where the state will reimburse you for your expenses. Get 12.5% of the vote in a presidential election, and the state will reimburse you up to €250,000 of vouched for expenses (up from €200k last time).

[Statsman]

On the broader campaign, I'm gobsmacked that neither of the debates had even one question around the climate crisis, which in the long term is more significant even than Gaza or Russia.

[Random Lurker]

I'm pretty gutted, to be honest (well, sort of).

Get yourself down to Boots for a bottle of this.

[ceannairceach]

It's probably his best chance of winning now

lol I just said that - instead of people spoiling a ballot they can put their first pref by him!!!

[p.ie man]

Looking at Gavin's TV performances, it is shocking how bad he is. If fianna fail had dragged some random guy off the street, he would probably do better than Gavin in TV interviews. Micheal Martin seems to have failed to do "due diligence" on Gavin. I'm am not implying any wrongdoing on the part of Gavin, I am simply saying he is not able to conduct himself competently under pressure in TV interviews. Obviosly this is "benefit of hindsight" but its amazing that a political veteran like Martin made such a bad choice.

[Gatsbygirl]

What does this mean for the other two candidates?

I'm not convinced that FF will throw their support behind HH. It would be such a humiliation for them. Reduced to supporting the old enemy and the minor party in government.

Plus, their supporters are pretty p1ssed off with Martin, and are unlikely to troop out to the polling booth and obediently do what they are told and vote for HH

Most likely scenario is that FF supporters will now stay at home, so there won't be those Gavin second preferences for HH

So Connolly benefits from the Gavin exodus, I think

[ceannairceach]

Can I ask a really dumb question?

Who is Connolly’s party ? I’d Google her but I don’t want the algorithm to start sending me stuff lol!!

HH is FG like?

[Return of the Mac]

Can I ask a really dumb question?

Who is Connolly’s party ? I’d Google her but I don’t want the algorithm to start sending me stuff lol!!

HH is FG like?

Formerly Labour. But has been an Independent for a number of years now

[ceannairceach]

Formerly Labour. But has been an Independent for a number of years now

That’s great thanks!!

The Eirigi thing soured me on her tbh but not to sure about Humphreys.

More reading up needed!!

[Return of the Mac]

That’s great thanks!!

The Eirigi thing soured me on her tbh but not to sure about Humphreys.

More reading up needed!!

Humphreys is a former FG Minister. Presbyterian and lives close to the Boarder. Would have been considered on the more right wing of FG

[ceannairceach]

Humphreys is a former FG Minister. Presbyterian and lives close to the Boarder. Would have been considered on the more right wing of FG

Good to know - might have more sympathy for a United Ireland poll ?

[Socthesecond]

The national executive committee (NEC) of Mandate Trade Union, which represents more than 20,000 bar and retail workers across the country, has decided to endorse Catherine Connolly’s candidature for president of Ireland.

In making its decision on Sunday, the NEC cited Connolly’s stance on collective bargaining and workers’ rights.

On foot of the decision, the union said it will be making direct contact with all of its members urging them to give their No 1 vote to Connolly on October 24th.

Appears to be some momentum on the left.

[p.ie man]

I see some commentary saying Connoly will benefit most from the Gavin bombshell, others say Humphries will benefit the most. I wion't pretend I can call it at this stage.

[Statsman]

What does this mean for the other two candidates?

I'm not convinced that FF will throw their support behind HH. It would be such a humiliation for them. Reduced to supporting the old enemy and the minor party in government.

Plus, their supporters are pretty p1ssed off with Martin, and are unlikely to troop out to the polling booth and obediently do what they are told and vote for HH

Most likely scenario is that FF supporters will now stay at home, so there won't be those Gavin second preferences for HH

So Connolly benefits from the Gavin exodus, I think

Despite all those who insist that FFG are basically one party, there's certainly a high level of competition between them.

[p.ie man]

I think Martin's only slim hope for survival now is that Humphreys wins. At least he can claim he helped her win and ensure government stability. Theres a slim chance his TDs might forgive him. If Connolly wins it will be a big blow to the government and Martin will surely be forced to step down.

[midlander12]

I was going to vote for Connolly as the best of a bad lot, ,but am very rattled at the gun woman revelation, and the way she handled it. Particularly annoying is the attempt at deflection,, and her rather arrogant, high-horse implication that the story should not have come into the public domain "Don't you think the public have a right to know?" Aine Lawloe asked her. I didn't expect to see that aspect of Connolly's personality.

I can't imagine voting for HH, although I'm sure on a personal level she is a warm person etc

In a way, I'm glad Gavin is gone. It was just too awful watching that car crash unfolding every time he appeared on TV.

Those who remember me from Pie will recall that I often defended Michael Martin from the appalling personal abuse and name-calling he was continually subjected to over there, but this is a total disaster for him. He must absolutely take the blame

What a sh1t show.

I feel exactly the same, though if anything that leads me to vote unenthusiastically for Humphreys, or maybe just not bother at all. It's interesting how many posters both here and on boards.ie who say they'll probably vote for Connolly but who are not only unenthusiastic about her but positively dislike her.

On Martin, one word (or acronym):- GAA. I presume he's a major GAA head, given that his son plays for Cork. Unfortunately a lot of GAA (and sport in general) types seem to assume that everyone else shares their untrammelled enthusiasm for everything and everyone relate to the sport in question. In the case of GAA, that is most certainly not true in large parts of Dublin, which is where they were expecting him to have an advantage, plus there are plenty of people in the rest of the country who are either not in GAA or would actively dislike Gavin anyway because he was the Dublin manager.

Martin in general has shown great political nous over the last 15 years, bringing FF back from the political dead and keeping the SF wolf from the political door, as it were, plus making strategic choices at critical times on issues like abortion and same-sex marriage. His political antennae have failed him wretchedly on this occasion. He should have swallowed his petty pride and gone with Kelleher. Listening to him on the radio this morning, I think he would have run rings around the other two.

[p.ie man]

Up ntil now, Martin was renowned for his political judgement. It's baffling how it deserted him on this occasion.