Presidential Election 2025

[Brabantje]

I see Alan Kelly has declared for HH. Labour really are in deep shit.

I think this is what Labour actually needs to decide if they're actually a party of the left at all. It's always been riven with factionalism, made much worse by the entrism of the WP/DL brigade, and of late (and what is reflected in the polls) they have been viewed as centrists at best, FG lite at worst.

SDs would do well to avoid any talks of a merger. As I've said before, the SDs exist precisely to not be Labour.

[Statsman]

I think this is what Labour actually needs to decide if they're actually a party of the left at all. It's always been riven with factionalism, made much worse by the entrism of the WP/DL brigade, and of late (and what is reflected in the polls) they have been viewed as centrists at best, FG lite at worst.

SDs would do well to avoid any talks of a merger. As I've said before, the SDs exist precisely to not be Labour.

I imagine the Soc Dems are delighted today.

Anyway: viewtopic.php?f=59&t=2561

[Statsman]

So, CC is effectively saying that there's nothing to chose between her and FF? Really?

https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/a ... 90106.html

[Gatsbygirl]

The problem with that is that one cannot drag a 4-5 week meeja frenzy out of that.

If there was any real power associated with the job, imagine just how nasty it would become.

It is precisely because there is no power associated with the job that it has become so nasty

The Presidency is very much about symbolism, metaphor and gesture---hard to get your teeth into any of that

Most of the meat and bones of everyday life and the nitty gritty of daily politicking are outside the remit of the Presidency

Apart from a thorough understanding of the Constitution and a knowledge of the limitations of the role, there is not a lot to say

So to keep viewers viewing and to keep clickers clicking on clickbait, it has to be turned into a sort of Hunger Games.

Which of course is wrong and is disrespectful of the Presidency and what it could be.

But here we are.

[p.ie man]

I see Alan Kelly has declared for HH. Labour really are in deep shit.

What may happen now is that Connolly wins, and Labour get no benefit at all from it. Meanwhile Soc Dems and sinn fein will be prancing about trying to garner all the credit for her success.

[Violator]

I am spoiling because of the sheer lack of NKM superstars on the ballot.

[Socthesecond]

The President should be like an extra blanket as the nights turn autumnal.

[Socthesecond]

I am spoiling because of the sheer lack of NKM superstars on the ballot.

What's an NKM Superstar?
Sounds Korean to me.

[Socthesecond]

The President should be like an extra blanket as the nights turn autumnal.

I realise this is a simile rather than a metaphor, but you get the idea.

[Statsman]

I realise this is a simile rather than a metaphor, but you get the idea.

Similes are similar to metaphors, aren't they?

[Brabantje]

So, CC is effectively saying that there's nothing to chose between her and FF? Really?

https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/a ... 90106.html

Or choose between her and nothing?

[Socthesecond]

Similes are similar to metaphors, aren't they?

Nevertheless, His Majesty is like a stream of bat's piss is quite different from His Majesty.is a stream of bat's piss

[Violator]

What's an NKM Superstar?
Sounds Korean to me.

Actually you're right, it does!!

[Statsman]

Nevertheless, His Majesty is like a stream of bat's piss is quite different from His Majesty.is a stream of bat's piss

Nuances!

[midlander12]

Anyways, back to Connolly's evasions. She was on the radio at lunchtime and the interviewer told her she was going to bring up her previous statements about Germany and Hamas before they moved on to her favourite subject, the 'triple lock that is the core of Irish neutrality'. She immediately cried 'you're throwing a lot at me now' and within seconds she was suddenly talking about Netanyahu and then how she was a bean stuama and never missed a day in the Dail or in 17 years on the Council. Absolutely priceless stuff - the wounded victim turning the tables on the interviewer and simply changing the subject to talk about how wonderful she is. I'm not surprised she's looking of FF votes, her neck is definitely FF though from an earlier, sturdier time.

I switched back to music.

[Statsman]

Anyways, back to Connolly's evasions. She was on the radio at lunchtime and the interviewer told her she was going to bring up her previous statements about Germany and Hamas before they moved on to her favourite subject, the 'triple lock that is the core of Irish neutrality'. She immediately cried 'you're throwing a lot at me now' and within seconds she was suddenly talking about Netanyahu and then how she was a bean stuama and never missed a day in the Dail or in 17 years on the Council. Absolutely priceless stuff - the wounded victim turning the tables on the interviewer and simply changing the subject to talk about how wonderful she is. I'm not surprised she's looking of FF votes, her neck is definitely FF though from an earlier, sturdier time.

I switched back to music.

And she keeps getting away with it. I'm ever more of the opinion that she will win and be a disaster.

[Socthesecond]

She's no Mary Robinson.

[Statsman]

She's no Mary Robinson.

Will she last as long?

[Gatsbygirl]

And she keeps getting away with it. I'm ever more of the opinion that she will win and be a disaster.

I'm not sure...

Once the mantle of the Presidency is thrown around her she'll probably pull in her horns (mixed metaphor there)

She'll might develop a taste for the luxury and the expenses and the champagne receptions---like a nun released from the spartan regime of the cloister, who then wins the lotto...

Or alternatively, she might shop in Lidl and be photographed sweeping the entrance hall of the Aras to show how power hasn't corrupted her. That might be the extent of her rebellion

Once in office, she'll meet who she's told to meet, and go through the motions

As for her public statements when she's President.....Well, Michael D has shown everyone what you can get away with, and how elastic is the concept of a non-political Presidency

Michael D made veiled criticism of government policy, calling the housing crisis a "disaster" and "our great, great failure". Once upon a time that would have been a big deal, but it is what we expect from Michael D

Conolly will be in the same mould, I imagine

A lot of her Presidency will be visiting deprived communities, saying how shocking deprivation is, how something must be done to end deprivation , then playing a few more "keepie-uppies" with the kids in the flats...

On foreign policy she will be watched closely. She will be easier to rein in than Michael D, I think..

[knownunknown]

She's no Mary Robinson.

Ah she is a bit like her though. “I let my heart lead my head. I went to help a friend, I was naive”. Describes Connolly pretty well too.

[Gatsbygirl]

Ah she is a bit like her though. “I let my heart lead my head. I went to help a friend, I was naive”. Describes Connolly pretty well too.

Except that, unlike Robinson, CC has expressed no regret, doesn't admit to being naive or misguided. She just doubles down ....

[knownunknown]

Except that, unlike Robinson, CC has expressed no regret, doesn't admit to being naive or misguided. She just doubles down ....

You’re right I don’t think she ever apologized for this.

Give her a few years in office though where ever statement is dissected constantly, her “what about this over here” won’t last very long.

[midlander12]

And she keeps getting away with it. I'm ever more of the opinion that she will win and be a disaster.

The former seems certain, and if not I fear for the well-being of a few of her cultists over on boards, one or two of whom seem to be employed full-time, like the Shinnerbots of old. The produce of a whole Midlands dope farm might be needed. I suppose I could point them in the right direction.

The latter depends on whether she has the smarts to listen to advice and tone down. The portents to date are not good. Michael D has essentially created the template for her, warts and all, but there's little hope of her listening to him.

[midlander12]

Except that, unlike Robinson, CC has expressed no regret, doesn't admit to being naive or misguided. She just doubles down ....

She was always right. Ne'er a shade of doubt dare enter the picture. The Sisters of No Mercy really should have tried harder to recruit her.

[jmayo]

And she keeps getting away with it. I'm ever more of the opinion that she will win and be a disaster.

Oh she will win as herself from Monaghan looks like a personality free zone even if you can look past the Orange Order connections.

And Connolly will without doubt cause a major diplomatic incident with some once friendly nation.
She hasn't been elected and she has already voiced opinions that the holder or would be holder of the office of president should not ever voice.