General Election TV debates

Muahahaha

Deserving of its own thread I feel, especially with FF and FG being neck and neck.
Michael Martin and Leo Varadkar about to debate now on TV3, it will be interesting to see how this plays out.

Likely to be a score draw but if Varadkar wobbles at any point it could send the campaign south pretty quick. TV3 reporting that they have a genuine hatred for each other so they'll have to keep emotions in check.

RTE will also be holding a Martin-Varadkar debate as well as one for all the party leaders together.

History Queen

Really looking forward to this debate, my gut feeling (and probably my bias) is that MM will outperform Vradkar. I just feel he will be more measured under pressure. It'll be interesting to see how it goes.

Muahahaha

Think it lacks a lot without a live audience and a chance for them to ask a few questions

Pintman Paddy Losty

Leo doing a great job cutting through Mehole Martin's spin.


Sticking to facts and cutting through the BS.

Snow Garden

I think they are both doing well to be fair. I think the Irish political system would benefit from FF and FG merging.

Muahahaha

Score draw so far, very astute performance in the studio from both candidates

Kermit.de.frog

It's so annoying hearing Micheál waffle about all the problems - every single one of which had it's genesis in the collapse of the country's economy presided over by Fianna Fáil.

The man is totally disingenuous.

Pintman Paddy Losty

Muahahaha wrote: »

Score draw so far, very astute performance in the studio from both candidates

I think the debate is benefiting from the exclusion of SF. It would be a lot less civilised if Mary Lou was in there shouting over everyone.

One eyed Jack

An embarrassing exhibition trying to ape American style personality politics really.

Desperately hyped by the two national broadcasters.

stampydmonkey

Pintman Paddy Losty wrote: »

I think the debate is benefiting from the exclusion of SF. It would be a lot less civilised if Mary Lou was in there shouting over everyone.

And rightly so

Muahahaha

Muahahaha wrote: »

Score draw so far, very astute performance in the studio from both candidates

You're being rather complimentary. Rehearsed to the nines, voting public none the wiser. Everyone loses, bar state pensions.

Itssoeasy

Thank jaysus virgin media didn’t let an audience in tonight. I hate them involved in these type of debates.

ChikiChiki

2 absolute spoofers. Not an air of authenticity between them.

Itssoeasy

[Deleted User] wrote: »

You're being rather complimentary. Rehearsed to the nines, voting public none the wiser. Everyone loses, bar state pensions.

Well the OAPs in this country will vote at every election so no political party are going to get sideways with them.

cannotlogin

Pat Kenny is better at challenging MM's waffle than Leo is.

Itssoeasy

ChikiChiki wrote: »

2 absolute spoofers. Not an air of authenticity between them.

Well that’s why no studio audience is a good thing then. It’s just the two of them and their words.

Itssoeasy

cannotlogin wrote: »

Pat Kenny is better at challenging MM's waffle than Leo is.

MM didn’t take kindly to pat kenny pointing out his time in health.

Muahahaha

Martin making Leo look bad there on the missing TD Daragh Murphy

Hippykitten

apology number?

Snow Garden

I have Leo ahead on points so far.

I have said it before. Leo is way way more capable than Simon Coveney. MM would have knocked Coveney out by now. Simon cannot think on his feet. Never has.

is_that_so

Snow Garden wrote: »

I have Leo ahead on points so far.

I have said it before. Leo is way way more capable than Simon Coveney. MM would have knocked Coveney out by now. Simon cannot think on his feet. Never has.

Leo was always expected to do well on this stuff. It's the on the spot and off the cuff stuff where he gets caught out.

ChikiChiki

Agree, go after the casual cocaine user. Sniffer dogs in pubs and clubs etc.


*Edit - Leo is finished after that question.

Snow Garden

That drugs question was unfair. I wouldn't trust someone that said they never smoked weed.

Itssoeasy

What was that pause from Leo about ? It wasn’t the third secret of Fatima if he said it in an interview years ago.

ChikiChiki

Itssoeasy wrote: »

What was that pause from Leo about ? It wasn’t the third secret of Fatima if he said it in an interview years ago.

I think given the madness of the last couple of weeks to have it dragged up again and refreshed in people's minds so close to an election it will be very damaging.

Kermit.de.frog

Varadkar before politics

Muahahaha

Itssoeasy wrote: »

What was that pause from Leo about ? It wasn’t the third secret of Fatima if he said it in an interview years ago.

It was like he was trying to remember what lie he told about him using drugs

Snow Garden

Muahahaha wrote: »

It was like he was trying to remember what lie he told about him using drugs

No I think he thought the question was inappropriate. I think it was. It has no impact on his capability or politics. Marijuana should have been legalised years ago.

Itssoeasy

Muahahaha wrote: »

It was like he was trying to remember what lie he told about him using drugs

I mean yes the interview says he did but it was the reaction to the question that I found odd not what his answer to the question.

Muahahaha

Snow Garden wrote: »

No I think he thought the question was inappropriate. I think it was. It has no impact on his capability or politics. Marijuana should have been legalised years ago.

Regardless of the question being inappropriate Leo stumbled like he lied about using drugs but couldnt remember the lie. And marijuana is enough for the Medical Council to take interest, doctors taking drugs is enough to get you struck off under their fitness to practice rules.

Eric Cartman

Leo threw in the misogyny card, complete dog whistle to his twitter left fanbase.

Itssoeasy

Michael Martin not a fan of SF then.

Fann Linn

Would've been nice to see the Shinners included considering its fair game for these two say basically what they like about them. Not very impartial by Kenny at all.

NIMAN

Two of them ripping into sf and they aren't there to defend themselves .

Shows the stupidity of only the 2 parties being there.

Itssoeasy

When is the next TV debate involving if not Martin and varadkar but other parties ?

Muahahaha

Both leaders sucking up to the Greens, very telling where they see the lay of the land after the election

FTA69

NIMAN wrote: »

Two of them ripping into sf and they aren't there to defend themselves .

Shows the stupidity of only the 2 parties being there.

They’re genuinely scared. It’s embarrassing for the two of them that for five years past and five years coming they’re propping each other up in a what is essentially a coalition.

There’s no real opposition here, chances are they’ll be back in the same situation after the election. SF are the only realistic opposition for many and therefore both men will seek to attack them.

Eric Cartman

also only noticed on playback , FG have said they'll do a coalition with the greens , thats them completely off the agenda for me, danger zone.

_Kaiser_

Only home myself after a few days away. Worth replaying this tomorrow or was there anything of real substance/controversy said?

Eric Cartman

_Kaiser_ wrote: »

Only home myself after a few days away. Worth replaying this tomorrow or was there anything of real substance/controversy said?

leo was like a deer in the headlights when asked about past drug use, both of them stumbled on health, both had a good go at the shinners. thats about it.

rafatoni

NIMAN wrote: »

Two of them ripping into sf and they aren't there to defend themselves .

Shows the stupidity of only the 2 parties being there.

Genuine question and i might hace missed it byt why were SF omitted from this debate?

PressRun

Fann Linn wrote: »

Would've been nice to see the Shinners included considering its fair game for these two say basically what they like about them. Not very impartial by Kenny at all.

It's a joke tbh.
Easy to see why they don't want SF involved though. It was barely a debate. Two fellas who have been egging each other on for the last number of years pretending to disagree with each other. If Mary Lou had been there, they might have to actually have a debate.

johnmcdnl

rafatoni wrote: »

Genuine question and i might hace missed it byt why were SF omitted from this debate?

Because they wanted a debate between the only candidates who actually have a realistic hope of leading the next government, without the distraction of SF throwing dirt knowing they would never have to enact anything they suggest.

In a 2 party coalition they don't even have enough candidates to be the major party. And that's assuming every single one of their candidates is elected.
The best they can hope is to be a minor coalition partner. They have no place in a debate between those who actually will have the responsibility of leading.

racso1975

Itssoeasy wrote: »

Well the OAPs in this country will vote at every election so no political party are going to get sideways with them.

I think he prob meant public pensions instead of state

ChikiChiki

johnmcdnl wrote: »

Because they wanted a debate between the only candidates who actually have a realistic hope of leading the next government, without the distraction of SF throwing dirt knowing they would never have to enact anything they suggest.

Serious question, do you not find it undemocratic?

I do. SF should be afforded the opportunity to make more ground. They are running very close to Fine Gael whether you like it or not.

johnmcdnl

ChikiChiki wrote: »

Serious question, do you not find it undemocratic?

I do. SF should be afforded the opportunity to make more ground. They are running very close to Fine Gael whether you like it or not.

There will be furture debates where they will have an opportunity to debate.

In this election they haven't even entered enough candidates to be a major coalation partner. It's easy for any party to be a hurler on the ditch and attack the opposition knowing they won't be in a position to enact any legislation.

It's far more like that the Greens/Labour will be in the next government so they deserve a place at the debate just as much as SF, and at that stage, we have 6-7 leaders all shouting at each other.

There's a place for both type of debates, and if SF and Mary Lou could actually be in a position to be the next Taoiseach, then yes she should be in the debate. But she isn't. So for this specific debate, no I don't think she should be here.

Phoebas

ChikiChiki wrote: »

Serious question, do you not find it undemocratic?

Mary Lou isn't in contention to be the next Taoiseach and that's what this debate was about.

I find it a bit odd that some people are complaining the MLMD isn't there but aren't calling for all of the other leaders are also excluded. Pulling the ladder up?

frillyleaf

_Kaiser_ wrote: »

Only home myself after a few days away. Worth replaying this tomorrow or was there anything of real substance/controversy said?

I can’t find it anywhere.

Can someone let me know how to watch it now? Not on either of the players...

shenanagans

frillyleaf wrote: »

I can’t find it anywhere.

Can someone let me know how to watch it now? Not on either of the players...

Usually takes a couple of hours after show ends....try tomorrow on virginmedia player.

James Brown

Pintman Paddy Losty wrote: »

I think the debate is benefiting from the exclusion of SF. It would be a lot less civilised if Mary Lou was in there shouting over everyone.

Yes beige and light brown really set it off arguing over who should be the leader of their next partnership. Good show.

Notdeco

Ff/fg two sides of the same coin.

It's a shame that only two party's were given air time in this debate.

All party's should be given equal time across the board.
I must be the only one that is annoyed by this.
I find this attitude that Ohh, it's fg/ff are the only way to go to be archaic.