Aras 2011 - The TG4 Debate With Poll . . .

LordSutch

As per the title of this thread, Aras 2011 - The TG4 Debate with Poll . . . .

So who performed best on tonights debate, and who would you choose as our President after watching tonights debate on TG4.

The Candidates

Seán Gallagher.
Michael D. Higgins.
Mary Davis.
Gay Mitchell.
Martin McGuinness.
David Norris.
Dana R. Scallon.
*None of the above.

Poll lasts for 24 hours, closing at 7:30pm Wednesday evening.

LordSutch

So Michael D actually set up TG4. I never knew that before! Sean Gallagher wants a new and (more inclusive) National Anthem! David Norris really Loves the Anthem as it is, Martin McGuinness is now learning how to speak Irish, and Dana's not crying yet )

LordSutch

Michael D Higgins certainly has the best Irish

diarmaid2

MDH the winner hands down!

dammitjanet

I liked that Michael D spoke in english as times so as to not be rude to the other candidates who didn't have good Irish. Shows a lot of class

hangon

I voted for Michael D,well at least he is fluent in the language.
TBH he would be getting my vote anyway.
enjoyed this debate the most because it showed the human side of all the candidates.
a pity nobody said that the soldiers song is not worthy to represent a Nation as its anthem,we should be able to change it to something that includes the diversity of Irish culture and to deny comfort to people who think military solutions are the only way.

Liam Byrne

Higgins for me, hands down. Norris was his usual egotistic smug self, McGuinness was doing his usual confusion re what was a country and what was an island, Mitchell was uninspiring, Gallagher ducked his association re FF, Dana mentioned sovereignty far too often while Davis still doesn't get it.

maccored

LordSutch wrote: »

Michael D Higgins certainly has the best Irish

totally agree - plus he makes it enjoyable to listen to regardless if its understood or not. if mmg wasnt in the race, I'd be voting for michael d

LordSutch

I thought David Norris had a good'un, it was also interesting to see how Norris, McGuinness and Michael D Higgins turned their guns on the perceived strongest candidate 'Sean Gallagher'.

My name is URL

Norris came across a lot better there than he has in the other debates, but Michael D still ran away with it.

Gallagher was off the ball, somewhat.. 'I joined the National Executive to try and improve the party' and then two minutes later.. 'the National Executive has nothing to do with party policy'..

The rest were unremarkable.

pat13wx

In my view one of the best debates so far, to be honest.

Martin McGuinness looked the best for me. Granted his Irish wasn't great, but he responded well to the questions. Michael D was in his element with the language, so no surprise there. Sean Gallagher, was under more pressure than usual but did OK, though not as good as he has done before. Norris did well too. The rest were below the radar so don't merit a mention.

LordSutch

Ironic that the candidate with the least Irish, and who claimed to be "in the process of learning Irish" comes out best in this TG4 debate, with the most fluent Irish speaker of them all, currently coming 2nd place. Mind you, this poll doesn't close until 7:30pm Wdenesday (19th) night, so poll positions may change between now & then )

Liam Byrne

LordSutch wrote: »

Ironic that the candidate with the least Irish, and who claimed to be "in the process of learning Irish" comes out best in this TG4 debate, with the most fluent Irish speaker of them all, currently coming 2nd place. Mind you, this poll doesn't close until 7:30pm Wdenesday (19th) night, so poll positions may change between now & then )

Couldn't vote on mobile - voted there now.

Would be curious to see how many poll voters even watched it.

bleg

LordSutch wrote: »

Ironic that the candidate with the least Irish, and who claimed to be "in the process of learning Irish" comes out best in this TG4 debate, with the most fluent Irish speaker of them all, currently coming 2nd place. Mind you, this poll doesn't close until 7:30pm Wdenesday (19th) night, so poll positions may change between now & then )

Well he was only parachuted in there at the last minute to raise the profile of his party so he wasn't learning Irish.

cavedave

LordSutch

Sean Gallagher wants a new and (more inclusive) National Anthem!

What would we change the national anthem to?

I'd vote for Dont Forget Your Shovel - Christy Moore. I had a blogpost on potential anthems here

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ApHj9vOu2eQ

LordSutch

cavedave wrote: »

What would we change the national anthem to?

Ireland's Call ?

patjack

Anyone notice michael d higgins hands shaking during the debate?When his hands were joined they were fine but they were shaking on their own.He joined them a few times to stop them shaking.Hoping it was nerves!

LordSutch

Yes, I only commented on this earlier to my wife, nerves?

cavedave

LordSutch

Ian Dury 1942-2000 RIP.

Nick Hornby says "Reasons to be Cheerful, Part 3, should be adopted as our National Anthem". Change a few of the lyrics and it would be great For Ireland to warm up to before games. National anthems before games comes from Wales response to the Haka in 1905. Maybe we could just replace the national anthem with an Irish Haka?

KELTICKNIGHTT

no surprise in this debate ,think people are getting tired of election and these candidates and debates,
wishing the election was over and budget on 6th is more on peoples minds in south

Paparazzo

LordSutch wrote: »

Ironic that the candidate with the least Irish, and who claimed to be "in the process of learning Irish" comes out best in this TG4 debate, with the most fluent Irish speaker of them all, currently coming 2nd place. Mind you, this poll doesn't close until 7:30pm Wdenesday (19th) night, so poll positions may change between now & then )

You'd almost think MMG fans are just voting for him without even listening to what others had to say :pac:
I don't think that would happen, they seem to be a very open minded bunch.

Goodguy Number1

I'm voting for McGuinness because I was completely shocked to learn he wrights poetry(this depends on how good it is though).
All the other candidates don't appeal to me, bar David Norris he'll probably be my no. 2, talks a bit too much guff though which could be a good quality for a virtually powerless job, but I have never contemplated voting McGuinness till tonight.
This is because I realized I don't know anything about his personality, which is what this election is really about. I think the media have failed in this as all they what to know is his past(not that his past isn't important) but not about himself. because of this he has my vote (for now) I'm confused....

foggy_lad

cavedave wrote: »

What would we change the national anthem to?

I'd vote for Dont Forget Your Shovel - Christy Moore. I had a blogpost on potential anthems here

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ApHj9vOu2eQ

Ordinary Man as sung by Christy Moore.

Paparazzo wrote: »

You'd almost think MMG fans are just voting for him without even listening to what others had to say :pac:
I don't think that would happen, they seem to be a very open minded bunch.

sinn fein/IRA open-minded? Not a chance!

Wolfe Tone

This SF/IRA lark is horrendously out of date...

foggy_lad

Wolfe Tone wrote: »

This SF/IRA lark is horrendously out of date...

So is the number of viable devices being left lying around the country both north and south bu common thugs and petty criminals who are associated usually with sinn fein/IRA and until decommissioning acted in their name.

Wolfe Tone

more mudslinging, tut tut. Im sure you can find some way to blame the IRA for global warming too.

Liam Byrne

Goodguy Number1 wrote: »

I'm voting for McGuinness because I was completely shocked to learn he wrights poetry(this depends on how good it is though).

Of all the things about McGun, THAT'S the one that "shocks" you ?

ynul31f47k6b59

MMG impressed me last night, which is not a sentence I ever thought I'd write. Enjoyed watching it, moreso than the previous ones which just looked like opportunities to dig as much dirt up on live TV rather than hold an informative and constructive debate.

Onion11

I love the National Anthem the way it is. It's part of our heritage and culture, and reminds us of the struggle for independence not so long ago. Although I'm sure we could come up with a comparative version about where we are now, that celebrates who we are... screwed over by the banks, politicians, and the church, broke, and up to our ears in debt to other countries. Sure, let's celebrate that. Would that suit everyone ok?
At least the National Anthem is relevant to our history and our fight for independence. If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

pubview

Michael D by a country mile. Given that it's an Irish language station and he's the only fluent speaker of supposedly the First Official language, it was no contest.

McGuinness still only 'learning' his country's native language after all these years promoting his form of Irishness ?

That's what happens, you see, when you don't spend years behind bars like your comrades and go to classes.

LordSutch

11am Wednesday morning . . . . .

1st Michael D H . . (44%)
2nd Martin McG . . (36%)
3rd Sean Gallagher (9%)

I am not so sure this will be replicated in the next real 'Official' poll (this weekend I think)?

KELTICKNIGHTT

LordSutch wrote: »

11am Wednesday morning . . . . .

1st Michael D H . . (44%)
2nd Martin McG . . (36%)
3rd Sean Gallagher (9%)

I am not so sure this will be replicated in the next real 'Official' poll (this weekend I think)?

IS next poll red c or ?

KELTICKNIGHTT

Wolfe Tone wrote: »

This SF/IRA lark is horrendously out of date...

so is sf/ira potitics
what new

KELTICKNIGHTT

Wolfe Tone wrote: »

more mudslinging, tut tut. Im sure you can find some way to blame the IRA for global warming too.

there carbon foot print with bombs and bullets

KELTICKNIGHTT

Goodguy Number1 wrote: »

I'm voting for McGuinness because I was completely shocked to learn he wrights poetry(this depends on how good it is though).
All the other candidates don't appeal to me, bar David Norris he'll probably be my no. 2, talks a bit too much guff though which could be a good quality for a virtually powerless job, but I have never contemplated voting McGuinness till tonight.
This is because I realized I don't know anything about his personality, which is what this election is really about. I think the media have failed in this as all they what to know is his past(not that his past isn't important) but not about himself. because of this he has my vote (for now) I'm confused....

sf should get more party people on boards

dulpit

Saw a good bit of this debate, Michael D looked good, Norris was his usual interrupty self, McGuinness was okay, Mitchell was pointless, as was Davis, as was Dana. Gallagher was annoying to be perfectly honest.

Interesting enough debate though, although the accent on the one who took over the analysis once debate finished had me diving for the remote (her dialect I suppose)

KELTICKNIGHTT

dulpit wrote: »

Saw a good bit of this debate, Michael D looked good, Norris was his usual interrupty self, McGuinness was okay, Mitchell was pointless, as was Davis, as was Dana. Gallagher was annoying to be perfectly honest.

Interesting enough debate though, although the accent on the one who took over the analysis once debate finished had me diving for the remote (her dialect I suppose)

Can't wait till this soap election is over

dulpit

Just noticed the results for Gay Mitchell here (1 vote so far). Does this reflect badly on him, FG as a whole or both?

KELTICKNIGHTT

dulpit wrote: »

Just noticed the results for Gay Mitchell here (1 vote so far). Does this reflect badly on him, FG as a whole or both?

Why did fine gael pick him,he's annoying at times,for a candidate with all this experience ,doen't show at times

dulpit

dulpit wrote: »

Just noticed the results for Gay Mitchell here (1 vote so far). Does this reflect badly on him, FG as a whole or both?

It reflects badly on FG for picking him and himself for believing he had a chance against what are essentially three Irish "Heroes" (of course the heroism part only comes into play based on your political persuasion: RA heads love McGuinness, liberals love David Norris and Michael D has been a pillar of integrity in Irish politics since the 70's).

Now Gay Mitchell on the other hand has merely been a career politician, jumping from position to position without ever really making an impact and certainly has never connected with the public on any sort of national level.

Personally I believe that this comes down to ego. And misplaced egotism at that. It's not very comforting for those of us who have waited over a decade for the end of the FF menace, and who are now left watching the FF vote slowly recover (i.e. SG's popularity). How will FG survive if they fumble into every decision, never making the right choice?

dulpit

Rojomcdojo wrote: »

Personally I believe that this comes down to ego. And misplaced egotism at that. It's not very comforting for those of us who have waited over a decade for the end of the FF menace, and who are now left watching the FF vote slowly recover (i.e. SG's popularity). How will FG survive if they fumble into every decision, never making the right choice?

I suppose what it does outline is that Fine Gael are not popular for being Fine Gael, they're popular for not being Fianna Fáil... Being the best of a bad lot still indicates you're bad...

LordSutch

Reminder - This Poll closes in just Six Hours Time, 7:30pm Wednesday evening!

Michael D running away with it, as per usual, but where's Sean

Warper

This was the only debate that McGuinness was not verbally assaulted in. He came out the best as he was allowed to actually finish his answers for once.

cardwizzard

LordSutch wrote: »

Reminder - This Poll closes in just Six Hours Time, 7:30pm Wednesday evening!

Michael D running away with it, as per usual, but where's Sean

A 7% difference between first and second, hardly running away with it now is it?

Can we start leaving MMcG out of the polls and just assign 20% to him after the others have been tallied?

Would probably lead to more definitive and realistic results.

cardwizzard

Rojomcdojo wrote: »

Can we start leaving MMcG out of the polls and just assign 20% to him after the others have been tallied?

Would probably lead to more definitive and realistic results.

Constructive:eek:. Why not just take him of the ballot all together and then you can decide who YOU want for President.

Zubeneschamali

LordSutch wrote: »

but where's Sean

boards tends to overstate SF support, hence MMG collecting double what he'll get in 1st preferences in the GE. It also tends to understate FF support, so once Gallagher was thoroughly outed as a stealth FF candidate, his support here went through the floor.

In Real Life, this will not happen to the same extent, but I expect he'll be well down in the next poll from the last Red C, back into 2nd behind Michael D (and dropping).

cardwizzard

cardwizzard wrote: »

Constructive:eek:. Why not just take him of the ballot all together and then you can decide who YOU want for President.

It IS constructive though. None of these boards polls - or any online poll for that matter - has come close to any sort of realistic representation of REAL LIFE due to abnormally large presence of militant SFers online.

I was simply offering a solution which could make such a poll RELEVANT.

pubview

It'll all be decided on transfers anyway. Gallagher may get the FF core vote to put him initially out in front but Michael D will be on his heels and is far more transfer-friendly and he'll pick up David Norris' 2nd prefs along with Gay Mitchell's 2nds and then those of the others in a much better ratio than Gallagher.

cardwizzard

Rojomcdojo wrote: »

It IS constructive though. None of these boards polls - or any online poll for that matter - has come close to any sort of realistic representation of REAL LIFE due to abnormally large presence of militant SFers online.

I was simply offering a solution which could make such a poll RELEVANT.

Well this is how I read it. We do a poll you don't like the results so lets change it. Did anybody see SG doing so well in the last poll (red C)? I certainly didn't. .


What really matters is polling day. The President will be decided then, and IMO it will be close.

cardwizzard

cardwizzard wrote: »

Well this is how I read it. We do a poll you don't like the results so lets change it. Did anybody see SG doing so well in the last poll (red C)? I certainly didn't. .


What really matters is polling day. The President will be decided then, and IMO it will be close.

Define 'close' :P