Our options for TD in Athlone

athlonelad

With Boxer now running as an Independent it will be interesting to see if Mary O Rourke can hold on to her seat. Not only will it split the Athlone Vote but some ex FF followers might also support Boxer. I can see us having no TD from Athlone.
Who else is running from the Local area?
I presume Nicky McFadden(FG) and Hogan(SF) are also running. I think its very important to have a TD from Athlone

BoB_BoT

Isn't McFadden a Senator? I don't think you can be both. Regardless, I don't particularly like her or Hogan's policies. So that leaves me with two options. I thought there were another one or two FG that ran last time?

roosterman71

I see Mary O'Rourke with big posters up around B&Q and the hospital. There the first ones I've seen

BoB_BoT

Labor posters were up at 7am this morning at the Bridge roundabout. You'd swear they were trying to get a prime spot.

Zubeneschamali

Nicky McFadden called to my door this evening.

BoB_BoT

did she have anything of interest to say or just the usual political bull?

Salmon

Did she tell you that FG "Value" the public service! Nearly fell over when she told me that one!

sherdydan

With the poor quality of candidates in this constituancy, I think I shall be voting for Mary

Saint_Mel

sherdydan wrote: »

With the poor quality of candidates in this constituancy, I think I shall be voting for Mary

May the Lord have mercy on your soul! You'd be better off spoiling your vote than trying to elect Rent-A-Quote

Zubeneschamali

BoB_BoT wrote: »

did she have anything of interest to say or just the usual political bull?

She said she's the only Athlone candidate who can be possibly be in Government, so vote for her. Also, even if you're not a FGer, please "lend" her your vote this time to make sure FF don't get back in, and take it back next time if she doesn't perform.

AckwelFoley

Zubeneschamali wrote: »

She said she's the only Athlone candidate who can be possibly be in Government, so vote for her. Also, even if you're not a FGer, please "lend" her your vote this time to make sure FF don't get back in, and take it back next time if she doesn't perform.

Wow. substance = 0


She could at least have some value to her approach other than vote for me so FF dont get in

Mary O Rourke is not getting elected, neither is boxer moran, Paul Hogan and Nicky MacFadden

Willie Penrose will top the poll, and the other seats will be formed from any one of the following

James Bannon (FG)
Peter Kelly (FF)
Mae Sexton (Lab)

Mary is trying to run with the Hare and hunt with the hound. Non FF'ers dont buy it, Loyal FF'ers see through it and dont appreciate it.

Boxer doesnt have a chance - hes popular in athlone, but he wont be popular enough to get elected, because you need alot more votes to get elected TD

Ironically, i think it was a mistake for him to leave FF

Saint_Mel

Nicky McFaddens people rolled through my estate this evening ... the woman who called to my door pretty much talked at me with a learned off speil. I think she tried to get the whole campaign out in one breath and at one stage I thought her eyes were going to pop out.

Then she turned and left and half way down the driveway she remembered that she forgot to ask me to actually vote for Nicky so she just kinda shouted it over her shoulder.

So congratulations motor mouth, you just cost your candidate a vote.

whyulittle

Do you know was it her Cllr. sister?

In the build up to the local elections, she actually let it be printed in the paper....Oh sure my family is well involved in politics, people have been telling me I should run, so I may as well give it a go....or words to that effect. Can't find the article online unfortunatey.

And she got elected! :eek:

Saint_Mel

whyulittle wrote: »

Do you know was it her Cllr. sister?

No, wasnt her.
Didnt realise that was the sisters campaign slogan

witnessmenow

I think Boxer has a chance, if you look at the last election there is a lot of Fiana Fail Votes in the region, those votes need to go somewhere.

He is also very well liked in Athlone, especially amongst the youngish to middle aged voters, who wouldn't be the strongest for turning out, so its very possible that he'll pick up votes that way too.

And finally, I dont think there is a any party that is a clear favorite to lead, so there will be less party voting than before.

sherdydan

Saint_Mel wrote: »

May the Lord have mercy on your soul! You'd be better off spoiling your vote than trying to elect Rent-A-Quote

no, shes the only candidate ive ever really seen doing anything in athlone town bar mcfadden, and i just prefer her to mcfadden so she will be getting my vote.

I havent jumped on the "fu*k fianna fail" wagon, im voting for candidate, not party.

IPushButtons

whyulittle wrote: »

people have been telling me I should run, so I may as well give it a go....or words to that effect.

And she got elected! :eek:

Ive said it before and Ill say it again democracy just doesnt work

Saint_Mel

sherdydan wrote: »

I havent jumped on the "fu*k fianna fail" wagon, im voting for candidate, not party.

Ehhh the candidate is the party so you most certainly are voting for party. The only way around that is to vote independent.

Zubeneschamali

Saint_Mel wrote: »

The only way around that is to vote independent.

Only if you vote for a real independent. Boxer is just pretending to be an independent to get on the ballot and avoid the anti-government vote.

witnessmenow

Zubeneschamali wrote: »

Only if you vote for a real independent. Boxer is just pretending to be an independent to get on the ballot and avoid the anti-government vote.

A quote form my Dad on this matter

I'll vote for boxer, but when he comes looking for the vote I'll tell him I'll give it to him, but if he goes back to FF, I'll shoot him

I think he was serious too :pac:

tubos

During the last local elections I didn't vote for Boxer as he was Fianna Fail, even though I thought he was very good at local level. Now that he is independent I would like to vote for him but I too just cannot trust that he won't get back into bed with FF. Hopefully he'll call to the door and I can grill him on the subject.

Also, for the last local elections there was an ex FF'er as an independent - Sheila Buckley Byrne or something, but fair play to her she didn't side with FF when she got elected which meant that FF didn't hold the balance of power. I'm open to correction though.

witnessmenow

According to this site, the last time Shelia Byrne ran was for town council in 04, She ran as FF and she didnt make it.

slave1

We really are screwed, FF need to be given a lesson, I think most folk agree with that but Boxer rode the FF ticket when the times were good so is pretty much a rat jumping when it suits him so he's lost my trust plus I'm not impressed by his lack of qualifications, I want my vote to count on a national level and see very little he could apply himself to in that regard, Mary and Boxer will split Athlone out of a TD is my feeling and Boxer knew if he stayed with FF that Mary would have got the FF ticket, for Athlone to have a TD Boxer ceding to Mary on the FF ticket was the preferred option so shame on you Boxer, shame on you to put yourself first and probably leave Athlone without a TD

Zubeneschamali

slave1 wrote: »

for Athlone to have a TD Boxer ceding to Mary on the FF ticket was the preferred option so shame on you Boxer, shame on you to put yourself first and probably leave Athlone without a TD

Nicky McFadden is from Athlone and is certain to get in. She's been in the Senate for the past while, so she'll be known at party level, unlike Boxer, who's never been more than 100 yards from the parish pump.

I wouldn't be surprised to see McFadden get a junior government job of some kind.

witnessmenow

Minister of pet shops? :pac:

I'd say Nicky will get in.

tubos

witnessmenow wrote: »

According to this site, the last time Shelia Byrne ran was for town council in 04, She ran as FF and she didnt make it.

That site doesn't look correct, she's the current mayor of Athlone according to...

http://www.athlone.ie/udc/about_us/members.htm

athlonelad

tubos wrote: »

That site doesn't look correct, she's the current mayor of Athlone according to...

http://www.athlone.ie/udc/about_us/members.htm

It is right. The first link is from 2004. There was another local election in 2009

witnessmenow

Your right too, its missing the 2009 Town Council Elections

http://electionsireland.org/result.cfm?election=2009T&cons=594

I just looked for her name and the 2004 one was the last one they had.

slave1

Reasonable stuff here

tubos

at least we know who our local mayor is now

Aldebaran

Why exactly is it important to have a TD from Athlone?

Zubeneschamali

Someone has to prime the parish pump.

witnessmenow

Aldebaran wrote: »

Why exactly is it important to have a TD from Athlone?

Because the political system in Ireland is completely broken.

Aldebaran

witnessmenow wrote: »

Because the political system in Ireland is completely broken.

And choosing to vote for a candidate based on where they come from will fix that how?

Zubeneschamali

Aldebaran wrote: »

And choosing to vote for a candidate based on where they come from will fix that how?

It's not supposed to fix it. The Dail is supposed to be for national issues, passing laws and Government business. In fact, TDs spend all their time campaigning, grabbing pork spending for their constituency and running clinics to help constituents with local issues. I wish they wouldn't.

But if Athlone doesn't play the game and elect a TD, Longford will get all their issues addressed and we won't.

We can't fix the system in this election, but we can screw ourselves by trying to.

Aldebaran

Zubeneschamali wrote: »

It's not supposed to fix it. The Dail is supposed to be for national issues, passing laws and Government business. In fact, TDs spend all their time campaigning, grabbing pork spending for their constituency and running clinics to help constituents with local issues. I wish they wouldn't.

But if Athlone doesn't play the game and elect a TD, Longford will get all their issues addressed and we won't.

We can't fix the system in this election, but we can screw ourselves by trying to.

Yeah because having a TD from Athlone in the last Dáil worked out so well for the town, didn't it? The place is absolutely thriving! Oh wait, no it isn't.

Parish pump politics is one of the reasons the country is in such a mess. Have some balls and vote for the person who you think has the best chance of getting us out of that mess. It will work out better for you in the end.

witnessmenow

Aldebaran wrote: »

Yeah because having a TD from Athlone in the last Dáil worked out so well for the town, didn't it? The place is absolutely thriving! Oh wait, no it isn't.

Parish pump politics is one of the reasons the country is in such a mess. Have some balls and vote for the person who you think has the best chance of getting us out of that mess. It will work out better for you in the end.

Has Athlone been left behind in some way that other towns haven't been? In case you haven't noticed, there isn't exactly a whole lot of places thriving at the moment

Correct me if I'm wrong, no one in Longford/westmeath is exactly a political heavy weight, the pretty much are all unproven. Its not like we are keeping out a Political superstar from Ballymahon because we are voting for someone from Athlone?

Aldebaran

witnessmenow wrote: »

Has Athlone been left behind in some way that other towns haven't been? In case you haven't noticed, there isn't exactly a whole lot of places thriving at the moment

Thats my point. Having a TD from your area who makes local issues a priority won't do you any good when the problems affecting you are national ones.

Correct me if I'm wrong, no one in Longford/westmeath is exactly a political heavy weight, the pretty much are all unproven. Its not like we are keeping out a Political superstar from Ballymahon because we are voting for someone from Athlone?

Maybe not, but I still don't think you should dismiss a candidate just because they're not from your area.

witnessmenow

Does Hogan stand a chance? According to the boards.ie/vote thingy he does!

I like Paul, hes a very nice hard working guy, but i just dont know can i vote SF!

BTW he was 12/1 on Paddypower last night to get in!

AckwelFoley

witnessmenow wrote: »

Does Hogan stand a chance? According to the boards.ie/vote thingy he does!

I like Paul, hes a very nice hard working guy, but i just dont know can i vote SF!

BTW he was 12/1 on Paddypower last night to get in!

He aint getting in.

Trust me

BoB_BoT

The hell, who's been voting Penrose, and please, tell me as to why? I have seen nothing from him since the last GE. What has he been at/doing in the last few years? Genuine query, I've have heard nothing from him since the last election.

swim4fun

I live in the Longford end of the constituency

Lab. Penrose
FG. Bannon
FF. Kelly

McFadden/Hogan/Sexton for the last seat.

FF had 41% last time around anything over 17.5% FPV should give them a seat. No chance of a second.

FG had 29.2% Bannon safe in Longford thier chances will depend on picking up protest votes elesewhere. FG not a party of protest and of course the Enda Kenny factor.

Burke for FG polled 9% in 2007, will certainly improve but there is uncertainty with a new IND in town. Penrose just mops up votes around Mullingar.

McFadden based in Athlone is at a disadvantage in that the area is top heavy with candidates of a type to attract protest votes. Paul Hogan SF Boxer Moran Ind (former FF) . Both high profile in town during flooding crisis and recent winter freeze. All that said FG in with a shout.

Lab had 17.8% or .882 of a quota, choosing a former PD running mate on 4% or .21 of a quota simply wont give them enough for a second seat. Lab will not pick up anti FF, anti Bank guarantee, and general protest votes in the way INP's and SF will.


SF had 4% last time around, if they poll 13% nationally and same in Longford Westmeath Hogan would be in with a shout for the last seat. 13.9% FPV won the last seat last time around. Hogan has a high profile campgain and has been highly visible in Athlone since the 2007 election.So if FF voters and anti bank, anti big party comes out to vote watch this space.

In 1981 the Anti H Block candidate won 10% of FPV this would indicate that there is a republican vote in the constituency.

In a highly fractured field anything can happen!! Look at Dublin Mid-west
Mary Harney (PD) and Joanna Tuffy both got elected with only 10.8 % & 10.9% FPV.

Paul Hogan will be in with a shout for the last seat !!

b4boxer

Now the Midlands has a real choice !!

Kevin Boxer Moran

Not afraid to ask the difficult questions. Not afraid to throw a few "F's" to get this place up and running.

Time to make people pay for crime.

Time everybody pulled there weight.

Boxer will be bringing his mandate to the people.

Longford Westmeath has great choice.

Saint_Mel

BoB_BoT wrote: »

The hell, who's been voting Penrose, and please, tell me as to why?

He wasn't known as Planning Permission Pensrose for nothing!

As for Boxer, outside of the whole politics thing I like him, but I reckon a lot of people will think he'll go scurrying back to FF if he gets in on the independent ticket.bWe'll see what he has to say for himself on the doorstep.

So far only 2 parties have called to my door and neither was the actual candidate themselves. 1 guy handed me a flyer for his candidate and scuttled away to the next house while the other talked at me with a learned off speil.

witnessmenow

b4boxer wrote: »

Now the Midlands has a real choice !!

Kevin Boxer Moran

Not afraid to ask the difficult questions. Not afraid to throw a few "F's" to get this place up and running.

Time to make people pay for crime.

Time everybody pulled there weight.

Boxer will be bringing his mandate to the people.

Longford Westmeath has great choice.

I'll probably vote for boxer, but trust me, this dribble isn't going to get him any votes on boards!

You are right about one thing though, he's not afraid to throw away a few "F's", sure didnt he get rid of two from his election poster :pac:

gingernut79

Zubeneschamali wrote: »

It's not supposed to fix it. The Dail is supposed to be for national issues, passing laws and Government business. In fact, TDs spend all their time campaigning, grabbing pork spending for their constituency and running clinics to help constituents with local issues. I wish they wouldn't.

But if Athlone doesn't play the game and elect a TD, Longford will get all their issues addressed and we won't.

We can't fix the system in this election, but we can screw ourselves by trying to.

Longford has / had 2 TDs in current / outgoing Dail. NOt much fixed here yet and we'll probably only get 1 seat in the election. A lot of the things we need are already in Athlone / Mullingar anyway.

myclinic

I have waited for years to vote away Irish !!

Nikky you have my vote in Athlone.

BoB_BoT

myclinic wrote: »

I have waited for years to vote away Irish !!

Nikky you have my vote in Athlone.

What does that even mean?

td4longford

Fine Gael propose to remove compulsory Irish at Leaving Certificate level.

In 1974 Richie Ryan , FG, Minister for Finance removed the competency test for Irish for entry to the civil service. This cause an enormous setback for the language.

It took Michael D and TnG to roll back the damage.

Aldebaran

td4longford wrote: »

Fine Gael propose to remove compulsory Irish at Leaving Certificate level.

About time too.

pflanagan132

If the next Dail runs the full term, what age will Mary O'Rourke be then?