The C&H Irish presidential election discussion thread

unknown13

With the presidential election debate and rumors about who could be running been pretty much under way for the past few weeks. Its time we have our very own thread to discuss the candidates etc in time for the October election.

OFFICIAL CANDIDATES

Labour
Michael D Higgins

Fine Gael
Gay Mitchell

Sinn Fein
Martin Mc Guinness

Independents
Mary Davis
Sean Gallagher
David Norris
Dana Rosemary Scanlon

Note to mods: I will need some editing done on this post from time, I will PM you the details when the arise.

Duffy the Vampire Slayer

David Norris declares this thread open.

Namlub

This will be the first election I can vote in, 'citing.

Insect Overlord

For a moment I thought we were voting in a president for the forum.
Now I'm disappointed that I can't run as a candidate.

jumpguy

Namlub wrote: »

This will be the first election I can vote in, 'citing.

Same, will be 18 by November.

Tbh though, I haven't been paying much attention to it yet or the candidates. A bit early in the day.

Pygmalion

Insect Overlord wrote: »

For a moment I thought we were voting in a president for the forum.
Now I'm disappointed that I can't run as a candidate.

Davidius for president tbh.

SarahBeep!

David Norris. Seeing as the Irish President is a glorified PR schtyle ambassador I think he's perfect for it!

flyswatter

SarahBeep! wrote: »

David Norris. Seeing as the Irish President is a glorified PR schtyle ambassador I think he's perfect for it!

He's going to be hindered by all that recent controversy though I'd say.

I don't know much about the rest of them to be honest. Would Sean Gallagher be good for business/economics in this climate?

SarahBeep!

flyswatter wrote: »

He's going to be hindered by all that recent controversy though I'd say.

He's right though. The Age of Consent is a load of BS. He just phrased it badly =\

Grindylow

I didn't know we got to vote for the president..

How does one go about electing themselves?

Pigwidgeon

Mary Davis will win. We haven't had a non-Mary president since 1990. Therefore, Mary Davis is clearly next in line.

SarahBeep!

Noel2k9 wrote: »

I didn't know we got to vote for the president..

How does one go about electing themselves?

You have to be 35 or over and have the support of a certain number of Oireachtas members, don't know the specifics though!

Duffy the Vampire Slayer

Noel2k9 wrote: »

I didn't know we got to vote for the president..

Noel's image of the Irish presidency.

I'd like to see Norris as president, partly because I think hes a decent fella, but mainly because it would be hilarious.

Namlub

Duffy the Vampire Slayer wrote: »

Noel's image of the Irish presidency.

Mussolini speeches are mesmerising for all the wrong reasons.

And wait what, Sean Gallagher is the guy from Dragons' Den?

SarahBeep!

:D:D:D:D

http://www.facebook.com/President.Mulqueen

bythewoods

I like David Norris, but the man would be wasted as President! I wish he'd ran for the Dáil, he might've actually been useful there. Also, much as I like him I don't think he's really, very... diplomatic... at all.

I don't really know who I'd like to see getting it... There's no stand-out candidate, is there?

Grindylow

SarahBeep! wrote: »

You have to be 35 or over and have the support of a certain number of Oireachtas members, don't know the specifics though!

I'll need a fake ID so

Duffy the Vampire Slayer wrote: »

Noel's image of the Irish presidency.

I'd like to see Norris as president, partly because I think hes a decent fella, but mainly because it would be hilarious.

No I meant I thought only lecturers and stuff got to vote.. like important people <_<

Insect Overlord

That's the Seanad, dear.

coffeelover

Gwaaan David Norris
Really hope Sean Gallagher doesn't get it!

Aoibheann

kateos2 wrote: »

Mary Davis will win. We haven't had a non-Mary president since 1990. Therefore, Mary Davis is clearly next in line.

Hmmm, my middle name is Mary.. Presidency bid, you say..? :pac:

KnifeWRENCH

Insect Overlord wrote: »

For a moment I thought we were voting in a president for the forum.
Now I'm disappointed that I can't run as a candidate.

As if you'd stand a chance of winning! :pac::p

SarahBeep! wrote: »

:D:D:D:D

http://www.facebook.com/President.Mulqueen

I read about this guy. His policies on his official site are hilarious; like something devised by the Onion!

http://www.presidentmulqueen.com/#!policies

The building of a new capital, the war on fructose and the Nelson Mandela university are my particular favourites.

He's an artist though, so I'm hoping his campaign is some bizarre performance art piece and not actually what he believes.

On topic, I will almost certainly vote for Norris because I do believe he's a fundamentally decent and intelligent man who has done a lot for civil rights in this country. Although, as the recent Helen Burke thing showed, he has the unenviable ability to dig himself deeper into a hole by not knowing when to keep his mouth shut. Higgins will probably be my second choice; again, a decent and honest public servant.

I certainly don't want Gay Mitchell; a right-wing Christian Democrat is the last thing we need in the Áras. :rolleyes: Also not a fan of Pat Cox for his blatant populist party hopping: PD's -> FF -> Independent -> FG. Make up your mind, damn it.

As for the rest: meh. No particular opinion. Will have to wait and see what their proposals are.

Pigwidgeon

Aoibheann wrote: »

Hmmm, my middle name is Mary.. Presidency bid, you say..? :pac:

I'll vote for you, if you promise to give me an awesome title.

Aoibheann

kateos2 wrote: »

I'll vote for you, if you promise to give me an awesome title.

Done! Although I'd probably be in a better position to do that when I take over the world.. You may have an entire country. Oh, and that Harry Potter Wizarding World place!

Pigwidgeon

Aoibheann wrote: »

Done! Although I'd probably be in a better position to do that when I take over the world.. You may have an entire country. Oh, and that Harry Potter Wizarding World place!

I'm in. You've got my vote. Although, we can no longer call you Aoibheann, you have to be called by your middle name of Mary.

SarahBeep!

I'VE BEEN PROMISED THE QUEEN'S TREE IF MULQUEEN IS ELECTED!!!!

unknown13

Dermot Mulqueen added to the list of independents

Title of thread amended aswell

SarahBeep!

SarahBeep! wrote: »

I'VE BEEN PROMISED THE QUEEN'S TREE IF MULQUEEN IS ELECTED!!!!

Linkie http://www.facebook.com/President.Mulqueen/posts/237496642933915?notif_t=like

Not that I'd vote for him, but it's nice to know I get the tree if he is elected!

eVeNtInE

This post has been deleted.

Lawliet

I'll probably go for the Norrinmator, I strongly believe that we need someone with a loud, dramatic voice to compete with these American politicians!

MavisDavis

flyswatter wrote: »

He's going to be hindered by all that recent controversy though I'd say.

I don't know much about the rest of them to be honest. Would Sean Gallagher be good for business/economics in this climate?

No, because Seán Gallagher knows sweet f*ck all about business or economics.

In my opinion. No suing me for defamation...

Pygmalion

MavisDavis wrote: »

No, because Seán Gallagher knows sweet f*ck all about business or economics.

In my opinion. No suing me for defamation...

It's just the presidency tbh, it's not like he'd actually do anything.

MavisDavis

Yeah, but even if the President had any power he wouldn't be of any use. Gallagher hasn't a hope of getting nominated never mind elected.

unknown13

MavisDavis wrote: »

Gallagher hasn't a hope of getting nominated never mind elected.

You cannot say that considering that Fianna Fail councillors are proposing that he be supported by two councils (Longford, Clare) that I have seen / heard rumors for.

MavisDavis

unknown13 wrote: »

You cannot say that considering that Fianna Fail councillors are proposing that he be supported by two councils (Longford, Clare) that I have seen / heard rumors for.

Two councils is not enough. I think I can say with almost 100% certainty that Seán Gallagher will not be our next President.

unknown13

MavisDavis wrote: »

Two councils is not enough. I think I can say with almost 100% certainty that Seán Gallagher will not be our next President.

He needs another two. But if he doesn't get the support of Four councils, there is a chance he could be Fianna Fail's candidate.

MavisDavis

unknown13 wrote: »

He needs another two. But if he doesn't get the support of Four councils, there is a chance he could be Fianna Fail's candidate.

Even if that were to happen (and it's unlikely seeing as Crowley is a party member), do you really think a Fianna Fáil candidate is going to be taking up residence in the Áras? They're still not the most liked people in the country..

unknown13

MavisDavis wrote: »

Even if that were to happen (and it's unlikely seeing as Crowley is a party member), do you really think a Fianna Fáil candidate is going to be taking up residence in the Áras? They're still not the most liked people in the country..

If Cox gets Fine Gael's nomination. I think it is a strong possibility.

MavisDavis

unknown13 wrote: »

If Cox gets Fine Gael's nomination. I think it is a strong possibility.

There'd be war within the party if Cox got the nomination. Parachuting doesn't seem to work for Fine Gael, they should know that by now. Besides, it's not like they need him; there are good candidates within the party.

Gallagher would be no match for Higgins and Norris, in my book. I think they'll be the front-runners if Norris gets a nomination.

unknown13

MavisDavis wrote: »

There'd be war within the party if Cox got the nomination. Parachuting doesn't seem to work for Fine Gael, they should know that by now. Besides, it's not like they need him; there are good candidates within the party.

Gallagher would be no match for Higgins and Norris, in my book. I think they'll be the front-runners if Norris gets a nomination.

It seems alot of the members don't like him because he is an ex PD'er.

I can't see Norris getting nominated and I think Higgins won't win.

In my eyes it is down to the Fine Gael nominee and the Fianna Fail nominee.

Screaminmidget

I must register for voting... :eek: :P

unknown13

Sean Gallagher now has the support of Three county councils and it is therefore looking likely that he will appear on the ballot paper.

MavisDavis

unknown13 wrote: »

Sean Gallagher now has the support of Three county councils and it is therefore looking likely that he will appear on the ballot paper.

If he wins the race for the Áras, I will eat my hat, sir.

unknown13

O Dowd has pulled out and I have requested his name be removed from the list in the first post.

Pigwidgeon

I'm just on my phone at the mo, but once I get to a computer I'll change it

unknown13

Avril Doyle has pulled out and Fine Gael are picking their candidate tomorrow. I am hoping Cox doesn't get the nomination.

unknown13

Mitchell is FG's nomination. Mods can you change the OP. Thanks.

fleeflyfloflum

I'm rather sad my politically clueless friends will be able to vote in the election, having been born in September/Early October and I won't.

*Mutters about ageism*

Cakes.

Has Sean Gallagher got the formal support of any Council yet ?

unknown13

He has been told he has the support off a few councils but I don't think they have formally nominated him.

Cakes.

unknown13 wrote: »

He has been told he has the support off a few councils but I don't think they have formally nominated him.

Yeh, thought that!

flyswatter

Norris's campaign in a lot of trouble after todays revelations.

http://www.rte.ie/news/2011/0731/norrisd.html