Borders no.2 wrote: » Poor Patrick Feeney with only 22 votes. You have to give credit to some of the independent candidates who have no real financial backing behind them for putting themselves forward. It seems foolish to risk such a public humiliation looking on from a distance but fair play to them for giving it a go.
Retired Aer Lingus employee Patrick Feeney, from Galway, who secured 22 votes when he ran in the 2016 general election as an Independent, said he wants to be “the innovation president of Ireland” and wants a nomination for the presidential election “as a challenge for democracy against what’s going on at the moment around politics”.
Ms Freeman was asked by Fianna Fail councillor Adam Wyse if, as a “No” voter in the recent abortion referendum, she would sign the resultant legislation into law, and said that while she did vote No, she would “absolutely respect the vote” of the people and sign the act into law. “I voted No, but I didn’t vote No for religious reasons, I voted No because I spend all my adult life trying to conserve life.”
Hotblack Desiato wrote: » From the Galway City forum during the 2016 count: Not content with failing abysmally to run a campaign in a single constituency, he now wants to run a nationwide one:https://www.irishtimes.com/news/politics/presidential-hopefuls-set-out-their-stalls-in-waterford-1.3582376 :
Wikipedia wrote: The seven candidates were Mary Davis, Sean Gallagher, Michael D. Higgins, Martin McGuinness, Gay Mitchell, David Norris and Dana Rosemary Scallon.
Hotblack Desiato wrote: » TJ from Cavan how would the likes of him get nominated?
realdanbreen wrote: » So when Michael D was campaigning for president and said it would be a one off term he was lying? Many voted for him because he was only going for one term and wasn't trying to hog the job for 14 years.
Hotblack Desiato wrote: » Wikipedia wrote: The seven candidates were Mary Davis, Sean Gallagher, Michael D. Higgins, Martin McGuinness, Gay Mitchell, David Norris and Dana Rosemary Scallon. TJ from Cavan how would the likes of him get nominated?
blazard wrote: » he wasnt lying, he changed his mind at the time i do think he will regret the upcoming debate,however
AGC wrote: » He will regret it how?
realdanbreen wrote: » Well if he is quizzed properly we will see that despite all the 'Ochóns and grá mo chrois and reciting poetry and talking in riddles, he has not done or attempted to do anything constructive for this country. And before it's pointed out that his role is mainly ceremonial there is nothing to prevent him from speaking out in plain English about the inequality that is there for all to see.
eastwest wrote: » My mistake, I was thinking of the last European elections and the TV debate for that. There were a couple of candidates there who didn't get a hundred votes between them.
Hotblack Desiato wrote: » Party|Candidate|% 1st Pref|Count 1 Direct Democracy|Ben Gilroy|1.2|7,683 Independent|Mark Fitzsimons|0.4|2,424 Independent|T. J. Fay|0.3|2,002 FNua|Cordelia NFhearraigh|0.3|1,829 Given the quota was 129,000 these guys are down in the statistical noise You'd have to wonder why they bothered, or did they actually campaign at all.
AGC wrote: » Have you listened to many of his speeches or remarks where he has gone beyond his ‘remit’ and made comments on various matters? Don’t think you could ever question the president on equality issues.
realdanbreen wrote: » I've listened to loads of them down the years even before he was president and (and of course he's not alone among politicians in this) I never heard him being forceful enough to lay blame squarely where it should be laid. That's why when he backtracked/lied/ call it what you like about his promise to run for one term only I just noted that this guy who puts himself out there as a man of the people is just another shyster.
AGC wrote: » I’m sure he will be re-elected.
realdanbreen wrote: I just noted that this guy who puts himself out there as a man of the people is just another shyster.
eagle eye wrote: » Michael d was touted as a man of the people by many for all the great work he did to help the people of countries under oppressive leadership. He criticed Reagan's foreign policy when many in this country were raving about how great the man was. He is a great man and will be remembered as one. He is loved by the people of a lot of nations because of all his great work. This work didn't help him get elected as a TD, he wasn't going around saying 'I did this', he was just passionate about the plight of people in bad situations.
dulpit wrote: » Ah Ben Gilroy... Hangs out with fellas like this:
AGC wrote: » Just to go back on 1 point you made earlier, him saying he was running for 1 term would not have changed the election result in 2011,
dulpit wrote: » What's the deposit for a presidential election?
realdanbreen wrote: » I never said it would, although some voted for him because he said he was staying for one term only and not trying to keep his snout in the trough for 14 years.
Loafing Oaf wrote: Any sign of any of the bookies offering odds on this election. Usually the solidest indication of where the land lies in any political contest...
eagle eye wrote: » They got Brexit wrong and the last US presidential election.
AGC wrote: » At present it’s a non contest. You’ll probably get better odds on Bertie then any on the current challengers
Zubeneschamali wrote: » Deposits are not really a thing in Ireland anymore. No-one nominated by a party has to pay one, and you just need 30 signatures from your constituency to avoid paying one, and it's only €500 in a GE anyhow. The big deal in the Presidential election is your Campaign Expenses.
AGC wrote: » So if he kept his ‘snout’ shut he wouldn’t have got your vote? He was by far and away the best candidate and he is still by far and away the best candidate.
