Would you be against an FF Candidate for President on principle?

DJCR

Basically, with the results of a recent poll saying 55% of people would not vote for any of the current presidential candidates is there space for FF to enter a candidate into the race and would you think about voting for them?

Suppose the answers are:-

1) Yes
2) Depends on the individual candidate
3) No

This should be interesting. Also,do you think that FF should run a Presidential candidate?

hatrickpatrick

100% no.

Why don't you add this as a thread poll so we can see the stats a bit more easily?

DJCR

hatrickpatrick wrote: »

100% no.

Why don't you add this as a thread poll so we can see the stats a bit more easily?

Couldn't, would have loved to but the option wasn't there .... maybe a Mod could sort it? Please....

nesf

I'll add a poll to the thread in a minute (needs to be moved out of the forum, a poll created and moved back in for it to work).


Honestly, someone being FF wouldn't immediately make me not vote for them. You can have a good person in a bad party and vice versa.

steelcityblues

Proxy candidate Sean Gallagher has already entered.

SeanW

Oh snap, I voted Yes by mistake (misread the question). :mad: I meant NO.

I've spent the last 10-odd years voting against Fianna Fail. If they put a candidate in this election, it will be no different.

Actually, with David Norris gone because of his godawful judgement, for me, the choice is likely to be between a Fianna Failer, some far right Christian lunatics, and the Gaelgoir windbag Michael D.

Which means I'm (for the first time ever) likely to spoil my vote in protest.

Dannyboy83

It would discourage me yes, but I'm not going to bother vote now anyway, given the current selection.

Dannyboy83

SeanW wrote: »

Which means I'm (for the first time ever) likely to spoil my vote in protest.

Good idea, never spoiled a vote before.

Unless Shane Ross gets his party off the ground, I'll be doing it for a while to come I guess.

Zubeneschamali

Yes, but I've been against every FF candidate for everything since the Haughey days.

[Edit] Crap, the poll question is the opposite of the thread title question!

Fail.

nesf

Oops. I'll edit the poll and move two votes from Yes to No.

ILikeBananas

In any other election FF would usually be the only party who I wouldn't give a vote for. However the president isn't really about party politics. They don't have any real power to enact their parties manifesto so really what it comes down to is the person moreso than the party (the opposite of the general election).

Having said all of that though I still couldn't bring myself to vote for a FF candidate-too soon!

FloatingVoter

Like some of the above I have been voting against FF since I cast my first vote c. 20 years ago. It'll either be Michael D. as the lesser of all evils or spoil it.
The only stopping me spoiling it is that plays into the hands of the diehard political party hacks / arch Catholic brigage who will most certainly have their troops mobilised on the day.

bijapos

To answer the thread question, no I wouldn't be against FF running a candidate, we aspire to be a democracy after all. I would like to see them running one, just so we can give them another kicking and so they will dent their own bank account on a fruitless election.

Having said that if Sean Gallagher didn't have FF connections he would be a viable consideration for me. At the moment we could do with a business experienced and business orientated person in such a high position. They could be useful in trying to build up connections and encouraging inward investment or contacts for Irish companies exporting.

His FF connection will put him bottom of my ballot sheet though.

denisc

Interesting topic, but wording the poll question completely opposite to the thread title was not a good idea imo.

nesf

denisc wrote: »

Interesting topic, but wording the poll question completely opposite to the thread title was not a good idea imo.

Yeah, my fault, I ****ed up making the poll. I'll reword it and flip the votes.

Laminations

FF havent quite rotted in hell yet, so until then, they haven't truly attoned for destroying a country. Not a sniff of a vote from me.

hatrickpatrick

nesf wrote: »

Oops. I'll edit the poll and move two votes from Yes to No.

Move my vote too then, I voted no brcause I don't want a Fianna Failure representing us.

etak

Ireland is a democratic country. Once an individual fits the criteria - 35 or over and an Irish citizen, can secure a nomination (4 local authorities or 20 Oireachtas members) they are entitled to run, regardless of their political persuasion. Even Dana or Bobby Ballagh.

Personally I will be supporting the candidate with the most statesperson like qualities and I don't see them in the race yet.

I think this poll has been badly worded.

nesf

hatrickpatrick wrote: »

Move my vote too then, I voted no brcause I don't want a Fianna Failure representing us.

Done.

At this point I won't be editing the poll any longer. So please don't ask.

PeterIanStaker

FloatingVoter wrote: »

Like some of the above I have been voting against FF since I cast my first vote c. 20 years ago. It'll either be Michael D. as the lesser of all evils or spoil it.
The only stopping me spoiling it is that plays into the hands of the diehard political party hacks / arch Catholic brigage who will most certainly have their troops mobilised on the day.

I feel the same, I'd far rather give Michael D my vote than spoil it and inadvertantly give godbothering eejits like Dana or Mitchell any type of leverage.

moomooman

I will never vote for the failures based on their record, not on principle.

They are a gang dedicated to gaining and holding power to their own benefit and to that of their financial backers.

Yes, I HATE them

Einhard

If the candidate was someone I admired, and whom I thought would be a good president, then I'd consider voting for him/her, regardless of the party they belonged to. I'd see anything else as cutting off my nose to spite my face. Although, there's nobody in FF of that description, so they'd have to pull an outstanding, hitherto political independent out of the woodwork.

Laminations

Einhard wrote: »

If the candidate was someone I admired, and whom I thought would be a good president, then I'd consider voting for him/her, regardless of the party they belonged to. I'd see anything else as cutting off my nose to spite my face. Although, there's nobody in FF of that description, so they'd have to pull an outstanding, hitherto political independent out of the woodwork.

I really like apples, but I wouldnt eat an apple out of a dirty nappy. And I don't consider my reluctance to do so 'cutting my nose off to spite my face'. Either FF disgusts you or it doesn't: I'm talking the culture, record, approach. If it does as it does with me, then any member is tarnished by their membership and shares in my disgust. I find it nigh on impossible to 'admire' someone who chooses to join and remain in that party of thieves, liars, perjurers and incompetents.

nesf

Laminations wrote: »

I really like apples, but I wouldnt eat an apple out of a dirty nappy. And I don't consider my reluctance to do so 'cutting my nose off to spite my face'. Either FF disgusts you or it doesn't: I'm talking the culture, record, approach. If it does as it does with me, then any member is tarnished by their membership and shares in my disgust. I find it nigh on impossible to 'admire' someone who chooses to join and remain in that party of thieves, liars, perjurers and incompetents.

You discount the possibility that someone might stay in the party in order to change it.

Zubeneschamali

There is also the possibility that FF would decide not to run a Fianna Failer, but would back a popular independent, allowing them onto the ballot.

Say, the David Norris of last Friday, for example. Where's me Tardis...

raymon

In the recent past there was too much lies, theft, perjury, financial treason, tax evasion , misrepresentation, arrogance, forgery, and incompetence for my liking.

Everyone is in bad financial shape because of these clowns

I will not vote for anyone linked with the rotting carcass of FF

goat2

i think that mr crowley would be a perfect president, i would like to see him at the helm, does not matter what party one is from, once they themselves would in my openion be good on a world platform,

raymon

nesf wrote: »

You discount the possibility that someone might stay in the party in order to change it.

FF won't change in my opinion. The head of FF ( M MARTIN) took developer donations and deposited them into his wifes bank account ffs .

Another high ranker lied under oath.

With these clowns at the top there is little room for change

grumpymunster

Never voted FF and have no intention of starting now. Would agree with the sentiment that they should run a candidate so as he can be soundly beaten and cost FF money with no return.

Einhard

Laminations wrote: »

I really like apples, but I wouldnt eat an apple out of a dirty nappy. And I don't consider my reluctance to do so 'cutting my nose off to spite my face'. Either FF disgusts you or it doesn't: I'm talking the culture, record, approach. If it does as it does with me, then any member is tarnished by their membership and shares in my disgust. I find it nigh on impossible to 'admire' someone who chooses to join and remain in that party of thieves, liars, perjurers and incompetents.

FF don't disgust me. I dislike them as a party, have never voted for them, and it will be a long time before I vote for them, but "disgust" is too strong, too emotional, a term for me.

FG sought to tap up Seamus Heaney as their candidate, but they refused. Obviously, had he accepted, he would only have been FG candidate in name only. Were FF to do the same, and choose a candidate whom I admired, and who joined their ticket as a means to an end, then I'd probably vote for that candidate. I'd see it as a vote for a person, rather than a party. I mean, Mary McAleese is a FF candidate, and I don't feel she's been tainted by their brand. Indeed, I don;t even see her as being part of the FF brand, party, tradition, whatever.

Laminations

nesf wrote: »

You discount the possibility that someone might stay in the party in order to change it.

Like who?
What high profile FFer is creating actual change and not just talking about it? Which member has called for their party leaders to be compelled to give evidence to an enquiry? Who has called for the front bench to be kicked out of the party? Who is demanding fairer distribution of the pain?

All we hear are suggestions about how FF can get a new logo and rebrand as if nothing had happened.

Im not saying that never again should we vote for a FF candidate, just not for this presidential election. They are not to be considered until the change they are supposedly advocating has borne some fruit. Soon I'll be accused of having Fianna-Faila-phobia.

nesf

Laminations wrote: »

Like who?
What high profile FFer is creating actual change and not just talking about it? Which member has called for their party leaders to be compelled to give evidence to an enquiry? Who has called for the front bench to be kicked out of the party? Who is demanding fairer distribution of the pain?

All we hear are suggestions about how FF can get a new logo and rebrand as if nothing had happened.

Im not saying that never again should we vote for a FF candidate, just not for this presidential election. They are not to be considered until the change they are supposedly advocating has borne some fruit. Soon I'll be accused of having Fianna-Faila-phobia.

If someone did those things they wouldn't get anywhere. FF's going to have to be changed bit by bit, it's going to take ages to get rid of the rot.

Laminations

nesf wrote: »

If someone did those things they wouldn't get anywhere. FF's going to have to be changed bit by bit, it's going to take ages to get rid of the rot.

Agreed. And that's why it'll take ages for me to ever consider one of their ranks in an election

nesf

Laminations wrote: »

Agreed. And that's why it'll take ages for me to ever consider one of their ranks in an election

I'd be quite the opposite, I'd happily support one who I thought could turn the party around.

rasper

Never have voted any for any FFer and definitely view with deep distrust anyone alligned with that party, on saying that don't trust the blues or the reds either, entire system rotten to the core and all to blame on the twats that continue to vote for them or worse not vote at all

Don Juan DeMagoo

Damnit I voted yes by mistake. I hope I would not be so negligent on the actual voting day

I want FF gone. I want to see them made an example of for their multitude of terrible actions.
-From practically giving the state to the church for over 70 years,
-Mass corruption throughout
-Supporting (through taxpayers) failed organizations, way before the banks. The beef baron Goodman, a supporter of FF must be protected over and over again. Then becomes the monopoly figure in that industry.

I am aware this hope is only delusional as they will return to power as if nothing happened. The people of Ireland have a short memory when it is another Irish man flogging you, but don't get them started on the British:D...

Leslie91

SeanW wrote: »

Oh snap, I voted Yes by mistake (misread the question). :mad: I meant NO.

I've spent the last 10-odd years voting against Fianna Fail. If they put a candidate in this election, it will be no different.

Actually, with David Norris gone because of his godawful judgement, for me, the choice is likely to be between a Fianna Failer, some far right Christian lunatics, and the Gaelgoir windbag Michael D.

Which means I'm (for the first time ever) likely to spoil my vote in protest.

Voting Yes was correct then?.

DJCR

Don Juan DeMagoo wrote: »

Damnit I voted yes by mistake. I hope I would not be so negligent on the actual voting day

I want FF gone. I want to see them made an example of for their multitude of terrible actions.
-From practically giving the state to the church for over 70 years,
-Mass corruption throughout
-Supporting (through taxpayers) failed organizations, way before the banks. The beef baron Goodman, a supporter of FF must be protected over and over again. Then becomes the monopoly figure in that industry.

I am aware this hope is only delusional as they will return to power as if nothing happened. The people of Ireland have a short memory when it is another Irish man flogging you, but don't get them started on the British:D...

Ah, from what you have said "Yes" adequately reflects your views. :rolleyes:

Don Juan DeMagoo

DJCR wrote: »

Ah, from what you have said "Yes" adequately reflects your views. :rolleyes:

Yes I do actually feel stupid this very moment:o Thank you for pointing this out

Zubeneschamali

nesf wrote: »

I'd happily support one who I thought could turn the party around.

I really don't see a need for a revitalized, reformed FF. What will they stand for?

Liam Byrne

Absolutely against any FF candidate.

I have detested what FF represent for the last 20-odd years, and - as has been said about the catholic church - if anyone decent was in their ranks they would no longer be there because they should have been disgusted by what they condone and support.

Martin's reinstatement of Willie Liar O'Dea is enough proof that they have absolutely no interest in reform; most of them didn't even realise or acknowledge why they were hated at the last general election, preferring to delude themselves that it was only because they'd been in power so long that people wanted them out - nothing to do with being astronomically corrupt incompetent failures whatsoever.

The talk of a new logo or branding shows that they haven't a clue, and there's no point in electing someone who's a part of that.

Let's say that someone was a member of KKK and was "otherwise" decent.....would we vote for them, or would we question their membership of an organisation that was despicable with a horrendous track record?

nesf

Zubeneschamali wrote: »

I really don't see a need for a revitalized, reformed FF. What will they stand for?

We need competition on the right just as we've competition on the left.

Seloth

Oh the Irony in this thread.

O'Cuiv and Crowley are the two FF men seemingly atm.Butit looks like Crowley will be the man.

Norris would have taken my vote but since he's out I'm looking at Crowley if he enters.I dont know wenough about Michael D but plan to do so...But he's,well quite Old dont you think.I dont mean to sound ageist but my god the man is 70!.

Gay Mitchel is an out right no for me.He has a list of wrongs in the past,one which bugs the hell out of me is his support for a Anti gay Italian MEP to become EU Commissionaire on Civil Liberties :rolleyes:

Zubeneschamali

nesf wrote: »

We need competition on the right just as we've competition on the left.

FF don't stand for right-of-centre policies though, they are just a Gaullist/Peronist populist party of clientism. Who needs that?

OhNoYouDidn't

I think the title a bit misleading.

I think FF are a cancer on Irish life and need to be eradicated and I would never vote for one in a mickey fit. But I am not oppsed to them running a candidate.

In fact, I hope they do. Because their candidate finishing last in a campaign they cannot afford that puts their corruption and economic treason back centre plate would amuse me.

OhNoYouDidn't

nesf wrote: »

I'd be quite the opposite, I'd happily support one who I thought could turn the party around.

Christ, that was quick.

How about we destroy FF. Obliterate them like the Italians did with the Christian Democrats. If something new emerges from the ashes, so be it. If not, so be it as well. Either way, FF are gone and Ireland is a far better place for it.

goat2

raymon wrote: »

FF won't change in my opinion. The head of FF ( M MARTIN) took developer donations and deposited them into his wifes bank account ffs .

Another high ranker lied under oath.

With these clowns at the top there is little room for change

i did not know m martin had done this, where did you get this information, i thought he was one of the more realiable of that party, i am disappointed to think that he may have taken donations from developers,

raymon

goat2 wrote: »

i did not know m martin had done this, where did you get this information, i thought he was one of the more realiable of that party, i am disappointed to think that he may have taken donations from developers,

Apologies here is one link

http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/kfeyeymhcwql/rss2/

Sir Oxman

Vote for an FFer?! Not a hope.
Do I mind them running someone - no, go ahead I want to see them waste the guts of half a million quid, get further into debt which hopefully may be the actual cause of their total demise and we all get to see where their level of support is this much into the devastation of the country.
Plus I want to see how small they can get their (micro)logo to be on the inevitable posters.

nesf

Zubeneschamali wrote: »

FF don't stand for right-of-centre policies though, they are just a Gaullist/Peronist populist party of clientism. Who needs that?

True but they have the potential to be a centre right party, which is what I'm hopeful for.

nesf

What about ex-FFers? If the above poll holds true then Micheal D. is ****ed.