Presidential Election 2025

[Irish History]

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Mary Lou McDonald: Crazy lack of Irish presidential vote in the north smacks of a gerrymander and is a form of discrimination.

https://archive.is/jreiY#selection-695.0-708.0

Purely a question of political will and that it was now a matter of the government in Dublin “bringing forward the legislation”. “Our job is to end partition,” she said.

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[schmittel]

People can always find ways of taking the air out of the victory balloon. Remember a poster back on Pie who had various arguments why Michael D didn't REALLY win either of his two elections with any degree of legitimacy

Connelly had a fantastic win and is now our President. No matter what we think of her , we have to accept that.

I think SF's support was indeed a "gamechanger". They have an incredible electoral machine, and the resources to fund it. Just reading about CC'S campaign, it was incredible.

For all the talk of "authenticity" and CC cycling around dressed in down-home, nondescript clothes, her campaign was in fact backed up by corporate levels of styling and branding

It was an incredibly slick, on-trend campaign.

There was "merch"---merchandise of stylishly designed jumpers, tee shirts, scarves, logos...a graphic designer set the Celtic theme for the designs...music concerts in Vicar St and UCD, celebrity endorsements...Students For Connolly....cutting edge podcasts...slick videos going viral like the keepy-uppy one...armies of young volunteers organised by Sinn Fein...social media hopping

Poor Heather's campaign was stuck back somewhere in the 1980s..it didn't have the lift, the branding, the style, the music, the young people.

to all that I would add CC's smarts in dealing with the media.

She knew where she was vulnerable and handled it brilliantly, reframing questions like eirigi and syria but refusing to apologise or accept any culpability here, and by contrast initially appearing to fudge, deflect and hide from the acting for banks as a barrister questions.

In the way she initially handled the banks questions, the media and her opponents sensed a discomfort and a potential opportunity that they might be able to finally back her into a corner and illicit some sense of regret for her actions.

Thus for the last week of the campaign they moved the focus away from the questions on which she was very vulnerable with middle of the road undecideds and kept the focus on the questions in which she had the Minister for Justice defending her.

I think was very deliberate on CC's part. The middle of the road/undecided voters were never going to react in horror to the idea that she had done her job professionally as a barrister practising company and contract law. And that's all they heard about in the final week of the campaign.

She played them like a fiddle.

[Clanrickard]

Fine Gael are 0 from 10 for Presidential elections because they are a lot like FG. McGuinness wouldn’t have won and Kelleher would’ve had the same problem of being a government rep.

Stein wouldn’t have the organisation behind her to run a national campaign but she would’ve been strong in the debates.

You’ve seven years for the maybes and regrets but Connolly was by a mile the best qualified candidate.

Connolly posseses crack pot views way out of the mainstream and refused to answer questions a fact even Fintan O' Toole commented on. A better debater with a passion would have beaten her. Humphries looked and sounded like she didn't want to be there.

[Clanrickard]

Come on, it was obvious from day one that Steen was the far right puppet and was just there to be a focus forthe post-election whinging.

Steen isn't "far right" ffs.

[Quato]

Steen isn't "far right" ffs.

Steen herself as a person is not far right for sure. But those who were pushing her certainly are!
And I don't think that a person spending over Euro 15000 on a fecking handbag is the right choice to represent the Irish people.
No need for an Irish version of Marie Antoinette or Imelda Marcos!

[Gatsbygirl]

to all that I would add CC's smarts in dealing with the media.

She knew where she was vulnerable and handled it brilliantly, reframing questions like eirigi and syria but refusing to apologise or accept any culpability here, and by contrast initially appearing to fudge, deflect and hide from the acting for banks as a barrister questions.

In the way she initially handled the banks questions, the media and her opponents sensed a discomfort and a potential opportunity that they might be able to finally back her into a corner and illicit some sense of regret for her actions.

Thus for the last week of the campaign they moved the focus away from the questions on which she was very vulnerable with middle of the road undecideds and kept the focus on the questions in which she had the Minister for Justice defending her.

I think was very deliberate on CC's part. The middle of the road/undecided voters were never going to react in horror to the idea that she had done her job professionally as a barrister practising company and contract law. And that's all they heard about in the final week of the campaign.

She played them like a fiddle.

Fine Gael---with their traditional instinct for fukking up a campaign---stumbled badly and walked into the trap

Exactly as you say---middle Ireland was never going to hate Connelly for doing her job professionally as a barrister. Jim O'Callaghan even defended her, ffs. Never p1ss off lawyers. They'll gang up on you

Where CC was vulnerable ---the Eirigi gunwoman, Syria, the video of her praising Brexit and criticising the EU---she skillfully shifted the narrative onto safer ground. And nobody ---not the interviewers and certainly not poor Heather---knew how to shift it back again

Once FG realised they had picked a lemon, they had only one choice : Try to play to Heather's strengths

What were Heather's strengths?

(1) She is warm, "nice", safe, an experienced politician
(2). Being from a border county and given her background, she could be a force for unity, a bridge, a healer. She could reach out, she had a unique perspective on both sides of the divide. She certainly understood more about "the two traditions on this island" and the need for unity, than CC did.

But no, that's not the Fine Gael way.

Instead, they turned her into "nasty Heather" flailing out and attacking Connolly. It was obvious that Heather was uncomfortable and ineffectual in this role. A more sneaky, more bitchy back-stabber might have been more effective at negative campaigning, and landed a blow on CC

[Brabantje]

But no, that's not the Fine Gael way.

Instead, they turned her into "nasty Heather" flailing out and attacking Connolly. It was obvious that Heather was uncomfortable and ineffectual in this role. A more sneaky, more bitchy back-stabber might have been more effective at negative campaigning, and landed a blow on CC

This. Fine Gael have learned nothing from 2011. In 2011, they had the past crash wind at their back, ran a terrible candidate who's position was to attack, attack, attack at every opportunity.

Martin McGuinness was never going to win, but nonetheless had a very successful campaign by playing on the positive post GFA Chuckle Brothers image and appearing statesmanlike.

Sean Gallagher had a decent campaign by playing on his Dragons Den, businessman image. He'd also been doing the groundwork months in advance, before coming undone by the Pat Kenny/MMG pincer movement.

Michael D by contrast had a quietish campaign but was unrelentingly positive in his campaign, playing up to his intellectual image and demonstrating that he understood the brief of presidency. A combination of the above two allowed him to coast through the middle alongside the fact that he was generally well liked across the political spectrum.

Gay Mitchell by contrast appeared entitled, angry and petty because it was not clear to him and/or FG that Presidential Elections are not like other elections. There is little in the way of jeopardy for anyone's day to day life. It's much more personality driven than other elections and if you come across angry, people will just not vote for you. Even your own supporters. Which is why he came in 30% below his party's level in the GE 8 months previously.

I think it should not go unnoticed though, that despite this essentially being a two horse race, HH did outpoll her party, by a decent amount, despite the desperate nature of her campaign.

[Berties_Horse]

Humphries was 4th or 5th down the pecking order as viable FG candidate, Sean Kelly spitting fire about being overlooked & I can hardly blame him. All in all, the usual government shills are "blanched" out. Connolly only had to operate with restraint, not too dissimilar to Michael D. Eilis O'Hanlon was incandescent with rage in the Sindo, which is unsurprising considering she is riddled with self-loathing - occupying the Eoghan Harris "Shinners in my soup" inferiority complex. A psychiatrist's couch beckons. For those who bellow "not my president", sorry for your troubles. You don't have a say in the matter, accept with dignity or emigrate abroad if such an outcome affronts you that grievously. "Tankie" Connolly won via a landslide, and you merely have 7 years to process this reality. If this doesn't sink in, a might restore lost sleep.

[Carlovian]

Humphries was 4th or 5th down the pecking order as viable FG candidate, Sean Kelly spitting fire about being overlooked & I can hardly blame him. All in all, the usual government shills are "blanched" out. Connolly only had to operate with restraint, not too dissimilar to Michael D. Eilis O'Hanlon was incandescent with rage in the Sindo, which is unsurprising considering she is riddled with self-loathing - occupying the Eoghan Harris "Shinners in my soup" inferiority complex. A psychiatrist's couch beckons. For those who bellow "not my president", sorry for your troubles. You don't have a say in the matter, accept with dignity or emigrate abroad if such an outcome affronts you that grievously. "Tankie" Connolly won via a landslide, and you merely have 7 years to process this reality. If this doesn't sink in, a might restore lost sleep.

Sean Kelly was never going to be allowed run by FG due to questions about the replacement for his European seat should he win.

Would have made for an interesting discussion though.

[Pantaloon Jeopardy]

Steen isn't "far right" ffs.

Didn't say she was. Please point out where I said she was.

She did let herself be used as a puppet by the far right, as the acceptable face of social conservatism.

[Gatsbygirl]

Humphries was 4th or 5th down the pecking order as viable FG candidate, Sean Kelly spitting fire about being overlooked & I can hardly blame him. All in all, the usual government shills are "blanched" out. Connolly only had to operate with restraint, not too dissimilar to Michael D. Eilis O'Hanlon was incandescent with rage in the Sindo, which is unsurprising considering she is riddled with self-loathing - occupying the Eoghan Harris "Shinners in my soup" inferiority complex. A psychiatrist's couch beckons. For those who bellow "not my president", sorry for your troubles. You don't have a say in the matter, accept with dignity or emigrate abroad if such an outcome affronts you that grievously. "Tankie" Connolly won via a landslide, and you merely have 7 years to process this reality. If this doesn't sink in, a might restore lost sleep.

I don't get this "Sean Kelly was shafted" thing that is emerging. I thought Kelly was equally unimpressive, although he might have been a tad less inarticulate than HH. But that's about it.

Beware of the "shill" word. People have a right to be unhappy or disappointed that CC won. It doesn't necessarily mean that they are "government shills". People can think for themselves. Just because they think differently to you, it doesn't mean that they are "shilling" for some party or organisation.

I have said from the beginning that I had no worries that CC would "damage the country" as President. She will do what she is told, make the odd controversial statement in the manner of Michael D, and enjoy her 90 room mansion in the Phoenix Park and all the luxury trappings that go with it---chauffered car, round the clock security, cleaners, cooks, on-call secretarial staff , a decent wine cellar, foreign trips, fawning officials at her beck and call....

I thought Eilis O'Hanlon's piece was quite funny "We've Had 14 Years Of John Lennon. Now Along Comes Yoko"

She references CC's rather embarrassing singing of John Lennon's "Imagine" in Grafton St

During the original filming of the "Imagine" video, John and Yoko can be seen swanning around their enormous white Georgian mansion on a thousand acres in the English shires, as John sings "Imagine no possessions...."

The same irony might be applied to CC singing Imagine. Her days of "no possessions" are well and truly over.

[SuirView]

Congratulations to Catherine Connolly on her becoming the next President of Ireland. She got a huge percentage of the vote and the best of luck to her in the future.
This has been a terrible, disastrous election for both FF and FG. Both of their leaders are now under a bit of pressure to hold on to their jobs and the next few months will tell a lot for both!
There’s another issue that I would like to discuss and it’s the issue of the SF role in this election. Today the SF leader said that the gamechanger proved to be the gamechanger in reference to SF backing Connolly for the Áras! I’m not so sure about this! My reason is that it begs the asking of one or two important questions,
Would Catherine Connolly have lost this Presidential election if SF didn’t give her their late backing?
If the SF leader Marylou believe that Connolly would have lost if they didn’t back her then she must believe that SF would have won if they had a candidate in the race!
Are we left to believe that SF won this election for Connolly instead of them winning it themselves?
Strange one if that’s the case!

[p.ie man]

Back on politicsie a few of us agreed that Kelly was a better prospect than Heather. But its not clear he could have won given how the campaign turned out. The crucial mistake was made by Martin. He selected a poor candidate seemingly without doing due diligence. When Gavin stepped down, Humphries was sunk along with him. A very poor decision by Martin given he had a senior experienced alternative in Kelleher.

[Gatsbygirl]

Congratulations to Catherine Connolly on her becoming the next President of Ireland. She got a huge percentage of the vote and the best of luck to her in the future.
This has been a terrible, disastrous election for both FF and FG. Both of their leaders are now under a bit of pressure to hold on to their jobs and the next few months will tell a lot for both!
There’s another issue that I would like to discuss and it’s the issue of the SF role in this election. Today the SF leader said that the gamechanger proved to be the gamechanger in reference to SF backing Connolly for the Áras! I’m not so sure about this! My reason is that it begs the asking of one or two important questions,
Would Catherine Connolly have lost this Presidential election if SF didn’t give her their late backing?
If the SF leader Marylou believe that Connolly would have lost if they didn’t back her then she must believe that SF would have won if they had a candidate in the race!
Are we left to believe that SF won this election for Connolly instead of them winning it themselves?
Strange one if that’s the case!

Yes, I think the SF backing was a gamechanger

It lifted the whole campaign onto a professional level. SF had the money, the local machine, the armies of young volunteers, the social media expertise. They fanned out like gangbusters covering all bases

But yes, at some level Mary Lou must be feeling a tad envious. I thought I could see it in her face on victory night "That could have been me up there"

Who knew that out there were all those young voters only waiting for a Left pied-piper to lead them?
And SF had access to them

But they delivered these young voters to CC---not to Mary Lou or some other SF candidate

[Berties_Horse]

I don't get this "Sean Kelly was shafted" thing that is emerging. I thought Kelly was equally unimpressive, although he might have been a tad less inarticulate than HH. But that's about it.

Beware of the "shill" word. People have a right to be unhappy or disappointed that CC won. It doesn't necessarily mean that they are "government shills". People can think for themselves. Just because they think differently to you, it doesn't mean that they are "shilling" for some party or organisation.

I have said from the beginning that I had no worries that CC would "damage the country" as President. She will do what she is told, make the odd controversial statement in the manner of Michael D, and enjoy her 90 room mansion in the Phoenix Park and all the luxury trappings that go with it---chauffered car, round the clock security, cleaners, cooks, on-call secretarial staff , a decent wine cellar, foreign trips, fawning officials at her beck and call....

I thought Eilis O'Hanlon's piece was quite funny "We've Had 14 Years Of John Lennon. Now Along Comes Yoko"

She references CC's rather embarrassing singing of John Lennon's "Imagine" in Grafton St

During the original filming of the "Imagine" video, John and Yoko can be seen swanning around their enormous white Georgian mansion on a thousand acres in the English shires, as John sings "Imagine no possessions...."

The same irony might be applied to CC singing Imagine. Her days of "no possessions" are well and truly over.

I was having a dig at clowns on the other platform with my "shill" reference, they disappeared quickly into the ether once they realised Humphries was a resounding flop.

[Irish History]

Congratulations to Catherine Connolly on her becoming the next President of Ireland. She got a huge percentage of the vote and the best of luck to her in the future.
This has been a terrible, disastrous election for both FF and FG. Both of their leaders are now under a bit of pressure to hold on to their jobs and the next few months will tell a lot for both!
There’s another issue that I would like to discuss and it’s the issue of the SF role in this election. Today the SF leader said that the gamechanger proved to be the gamechanger in reference to SF backing Connolly for the Áras! I’m not so sure about this! My reason is that it begs the asking of one or two important questions,
Would Catherine Connolly have lost this Presidential election if SF didn’t give her their late backing?
If the SF leader Marylou believe that Connolly would have lost if they didn’t back her then she must believe that SF would have won if they had a candidate in the race!
Are we left to believe that SF won this election for Connolly instead of them winning it themselves?
Strange one if that’s the case!

.
Quick - look over there!!!

Poor Fianna Fail.

"Ha ha, no shame" - not!
.

[SuirView]

Yes, I think the SF backing was a gamechanger

It lifted the whole campaign onto a professional level. SF had the money, the local machine, the armies of young volunteers, the social media expertise. They fanned out like gangbusters covering all bases

But yes, at some level Mary Lou must be feeling a tad envious. I thought I could see it in her face on victory night "That could have been me up there"

Who knew that out there were all those young voters only waiting for a Left pied-piper to lead them?
And SF had access to them

But they delivered these young voters to CC---not to Mary Lou or some other SF candidate

Thanks for that and as I already said congratulations to Catherine Connolly on becoming the next President of Ireland and her victory will put pressure on both the FF and FG leaders to hold onto their positions! I’m sure you agree with me that SF could have won the election but it hasn’t happened because of bad judgment by the SF party! It’s not that SF has had many victories so why did SF give up the chance to put even more pressure on both FF and FG? Interesting

[SuirView]

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Quick - look over there!!!

Poor Fianna Fail.

No shame - not!
.

So do you think that Humphreys would have won the election if SF didn’t give their support to Connolly?

[p.ie man]

.
Quick - look over there!!!

Poor Fianna Fail.

No shame - not!
.

"Ha ha, I'll just leave this here".

[Irish History]

Not enough is being made of the fact that the Irish Daily Mail introduced Humphreys' religion into the debate.
The fact that their editor is married to a sitting FF candidate is 100%, pure coincidence.

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This is not directed at you personally - just picking up on your point.

I can see how Unionists would be hurt by derogatory references to their religion, but I don't think people or the media questioning her about her family connection to the Orange Order was in any way sectarian abuse.

I just wondering what the sectarian abuse was that Humphreys mentioned.

Anyway, certain Unionists are making hay with the story to talk down the reunification of Ireland.

https://www.newsletter.co.uk/news/natio ... mp-5375370

The election of Catherine Connolly exposes the sectarianism of the Republic of Ireland, Jim Allister has said.

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[Irish History]

So do you think that Humphreys would have won the election if SF didn’t give their support to Connolly?

.
Quick - look over there!!!

Poor Fianna Fail.

"Ha ha, I'll just leave this here."
.

[SuirView]

.
Quick - look over there!!!

Poor Fianna Fail.

"Ha ha, I'll just leave this here."
.

Do you want to have a discussion or do you want to just keep doing what you’re doing? Interesting.

[Gatsbygirl]

Michael D in hospital with an infection. Wishing him a speedy recovery.

https://m.independent.ie/irish-news/pre ... 09972.html

He might yet upstage his old Galway rival Connelly

[p.ie man]

Simon Harris has a couple of factors to defend himself against those who blame him for the loss. First its not his fault Mairead pulled out. And he can argue Heather had little hope when her source of transfers disappeared.

I can't see any such mitigating factors for Martin, though.

[Irish History]

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GB News take on this - some of the reader comments about Ireland and Irish people are disgusting and a reminder to us Irish people why we need get the foreign Act of Union with our country Ireland completely and finally repealed.

https://www.gbnews.com/politics/ireland ... s-lash-out
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