So Michael D IS running again!

Water John · 17-09-2018 12:20pm

Ni Riada won't help Brexit discussions while she goes around singing, Our Four Green Fields, for the next month.

Zubeneschamali · 17-09-2018 12:20pm

Squatter wrote: »

promptly refused to take questions from the media gathered for her campaign launch

Anti-vax issue was raised, questions not answered, spokesperson later referred to her earlier statement saying she supports HPV vaccinations.

RTE head pointed out that the statement did not state that her daughter ever got the vaccine.

An Ciarraioch · 17-09-2018 12:21pm

Meanwhile, Michael D's personal Twitter a/c has reactivated after seven years:

https://mobile.twitter.com/MichaelDHiggins

FrancieBrady · 17-09-2018 12:24pm

blanch152 wrote: »

https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/presidential-election-2018/ras-hopeful-liadh-n-riada-is-unsuitable-to-represent-the-country-says-son-of-ira-victim-37322848.html

Austin Stack weighs in on the merits of the Sinn Fein candidate.

He makes some interesting points about the ability to be commander-in-chief of the armed forces.

Unlike Mary Robinson and Mary McAleese who were able to reach out to Unionism, Ms. Ni Riadh will have difficulties in that sphere.

Other than saying he doesn't think she should or can be Commander In Chief what 'interesting points' did he make about it?

Yeh, Mary McAleese was great at the outreach. :rolleyes:

https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/mcaleese-rouses-unionist-wrath-by-comparing-them-to-the-nazis-26006246.html

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/dup-rage-at-mcaleeses-visit-insult-wzqm6tscck7

VinLieger · 17-09-2018 12:31pm

Zubeneschamali wrote: »

Anti-vax issue was raised, questions not answered, spokesperson later referred to her earlier statement saying she supports HPV vaccinations.

RTE head pointed out that the statement did not state that her daughter ever got the vaccine.

:rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes:

realdanbreen · 17-09-2018 12:40pm

For Forks Sake wrote: »

Kevin Sharkey bows out, uses the opportunity for a spot of shameless self promotion and lends his support, such as it is, to O'Doherty

https://twitter.com/votesharkey2018/status/1041387542690586624?s=19

We'll never forget you, Kieran Sharkey!

Zubeneschamali · 17-09-2018 1:01pm

VinLieger wrote: »

:rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes:

Well, yes, but it does show that this issue is not going away. She will, as we said here in this thread, be dogged by these questions until she answers them definitively.

eastwest · 17-09-2018 1:21pm

Squatter wrote: »

I only needed to read as far as the second sentence of that report.

"Ireland South MEP Liadh Ní Riada was yesterday unveiled as Sinn Féin's candidate - and promptly refused to take questions from the media gathered for her campaign launch." to know that voting for her would be a complete waste of time.

Although she has known for months that she was a shoo-in for the SF nomination, she still wasn't able to take questions, no doubt gagged by her SF handlers in case she put her foot in it! (Like Marty Mac did when he attacked "West Brits" in the early stages of his campaign!)

Surprising that the army council hadn't given her a prepared list of stock answers, but maybe they had other hopes for a different candidate.

Henryhill2 · 17-09-2018 1:24pm

Can anyone synopsise what the motivation of the dragons is and how much it's costing them and the taxpayer each?

Assuming MDH is re-elected as seems highly likely

expectationlost · 17-09-2018 1:26pm

Henryhill2 wrote: »

Can anyone synopsise what the motivation of the dragons is and how much it's costing them and the taxpayer each?

to protect us from the commies!

Henryhill2 · 17-09-2018 1:29pm

This stuff that's coming out about MDH not working with business and the IDA

Is that coming from Gallagher's camp?

It would play in his favour

eastwest · 17-09-2018 1:31pm

Interesting parallel that hasn't arisen in media circles so far, but both Mary Lou and Ni Riada are both bandwagon jumpers with no IRA background who jumped on the SF escalator when they saw it moving upwards. Mary Lou jumped from FF when she saw a chance to rise to the top in political life by filling a need for an acceptable non-IRA head to run for SF, and Ni Riada fits the same mould -- never in the IRA afaik, but able to get catapulted into the MEP job on the basis that she is a woman with an Irish name and can perform well in public. The fact that her father was a musician specialising in trad has helped her too.
Both of them seem part of a SF strategy that puts 'acceptable' candidates in front of voters, but from their point of view the career opportunities that they identified are strikingly similar. Andrews in Dublin is another in the same mould.
You wouldn't rise in the ranks like that in any of the mainstream parties, the councilors toiling at the coalface wouldn't allow it. In SF however they have to do as they're told -- Arthur Morgan's disappearance from the Dail race is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to discipline in this outfit.

davycc · 17-09-2018 1:37pm

eastwest wrote: »

Surprising that the army council hadn't given her a prepared list of stock answers, but maybe they had other hopes for a different candidate.

Conspiracy theories forum over that way ^

17-09-2018 1:38pm

Loafing Oaf wrote: »

Even the act of 'bowing out' is in itself a piece of attention seeking. Let the councils and the Oireachtas members decide when you're out of the race, or if you were truly in it in the first race.

I'm no longer a candidate

but click here to buy my art.

that's not cynical at all.

TheRiverman · 17-09-2018 1:56pm

There has to be only one result in all this fiasco,a landslide victory for Micheal D.

Zubeneschamali · 17-09-2018 2:11pm

Henryhill2 wrote: »

Can anyone synopsise what the motivation of the dragons is and how much it's costing them and the taxpayer each?

Last time Gallagher spent 320K and got 200K back.

But you only get those expenses is you reach 12.5% on the day, which only Higgins, McGuinness and Gallagher did last time.

Dana only spent 60K last time.

I don't think each additional hopeless candidate costs the taxpayer much, and SF were going to force an election regardless.

The only poll so far says Higgins and Gallagher get expenses, everyone else loses their shirt.

Squatter · 17-09-2018 2:18pm

Zubeneschamali wrote: »

But you only get those expenses is you reach 12.5% on the day, which only Higgins, McGuinness and Gallagher did last time.

Dana only spent 60K last time.

I don't think each additional hopeless candidate costs the taxpayer much, and SF were going to force an election regardless.

The only poll so far says Higgins and Gallagher get expenses, everyone else loses their shirt.

Have to say that the vision of a shirtless of Ni Riada or Freeman give me the willies. :eek:

Ladies, whatever may happen, I beseech you to keep your shirts on!

As a matter of interest does anyone know who'll be looking after Munster's interests in Europe while both Brian Crowley (the permanently missing MEP) and Ni Riada are awol?

James Brown · 17-09-2018 2:29pm

jmcc wrote: »

Haven't noticed it yet? Look at the way that the Aras expenses have been floated over the last few weeks and the mention of questions being asked at the Public Accounts Committee. The whole champagne socialist thing is going to be a major liability for the Higgins campaign and it will be exploited.

Regards...jmcc

It's a non story. He doesn't sign off on his own expenses. We've the same stories every St. Patrick's day with no marks getting a parade and hotels around the world. Team Dragon will have it well milked by election day and with everything Higgins brings to the table they can't, like class, he's nothing to worry about.
He'd buy and sell the lot of them in a debate.

Henryhill2 · 17-09-2018 2:32pm

I have a suspicion Duffy won't be spending much

He's in the media business already and wont he get a lot of free airtime by right as a candidate anyway.

eastwest · 17-09-2018 2:41pm

davycc wrote: »

Conspiracy theories forum over that way ^

Have you ever listened to the clones being interviewed? Same phrases, same gestures, like they came out of a robot factory.
'But let me say this....'

eastwest · 17-09-2018 2:43pm

Squatter wrote: »

Have to say that the vision of a shirtless of Ni Riada or Freeman give me the willies. :eek:

Ladies, whatever may happen, I beseech you to keep your shirts on!

As a matter of interest does anyone know who'll be looking after Munster's interests in Europe while both Brian Crowley (the permanently missing MEP) and Ni Riada are awol?

As a member of GUE/NGL, Ni Riada wasn't really doing much to further Munster's interests in Europe anyway. That group's forte is shouting from the back of the class, UKIP style.

17-09-2018 2:55pm

Zubeneschamali wrote: »

Dana only spent 60K last time.

Norris must still be repaying his debt.

Say what you like about Dana, or Senator Norris, but a figure like that is probably similar to what your average retired worker has in personal savings. it takes either real stupidity or real conviction to blow that on a campaign which you're likely to lose, and I don't think I'm cynical enough to believe the former!

Beechwoodspark · 17-09-2018 3:02pm

Henryhill2 wrote: »

This stuff that's coming out about MDH not working with business and the IDA

Is that coming from Gallagher's camp?

It would play in his favour

Any source for the above? I’ve seen it mentioned in one rant type post on this thread and that’s it.

Henryhill2 · 17-09-2018 3:02pm

I can almost guarantee that Duffy will be taking sly potshots at MDH

Gallagher will be talking BS about expanding the role ,connecting with people on the margins and forging business links and investment waffle

eastwest · 17-09-2018 3:07pm

TheRiverman wrote: »

There has to be only one result in all this fiasco,a landslide victory for Micheal D.

The public is very fickle, I'd never rule out an upset.
Remember that Ming topped the poll in the last European elections and disappeared without trace, but his lack of activity in the interim won't stop him doing a bit of ranting that will get him back on top next year.

expectationlost · 17-09-2018 3:25pm

Henryhill2 wrote: »

This stuff that's coming out about MDH not working with business and the IDA

Is that coming from Gallagher's camp?

It would play in his favour

what stuff?

if Gallagher wants to work for the IDA he should apply for job there

An Ciarraioch · 17-09-2018 3:47pm

Result from Kerry:

Casey 14 councillors (9 FF, 2 Healy-Raes, 2 Ind, 1 FG)

"William Delaney" 4 (3 Ind, 1 SF)

Gemma O'Doherty 3 (all SF)

Beechwoodspark · 17-09-2018 3:54pm

expectationlost wrote: »

what stuff?

if Gallagher wants to work for the IDA he should apply for job there

Nah, can’t see him doing a good job for the Ida. Too gruff/ignorant and stand offish/aggressive.

An Ciarraioch · 17-09-2018 4:10pm

Clare County Council also endorses Casey.

richiepurgas · 17-09-2018 4:20pm

Has Gallagher, the alleged entrepreneur, ever created jobs for anyone besides himself ? If so, how many ?

marieholmfan · 17-09-2018 4:30pm

Henryhill2 wrote: »

Sounds suspiciously like information that would come from the Gallagher camp

from CTT I am emphatically NOT in the Gallagher camp. in fact my opinion on him was reported.

marieholmfan · 17-09-2018 4:35pm

An Ciarraioch wrote: »

Radio Kerry reports that both Peter Casey and Gemma O'Doherty will be proposed and seconded at today's council meeting.

three cheers for the kingdom.

marieholmfan · 17-09-2018 4:40pm

Henryhill2 wrote: »

This stuff that's coming out about MDH not working with business and the IDA

Is that coming from Gallagher's camp?

It would play in his favour

Gallagher is too stupid and badly connected to come up with it. He is thick as pigs h it . Proves all you really need to get on in this country is a brass neck.

is there any proven connection between Gallagher and the Kinahan cartel or was that stuff just made up out of whole cloth?

James Brown · 17-09-2018 5:08pm

I think team Dragon might have miscalculated. One to go after Higgins while leaving Gallagher to look Presidential may have worked, but there's so many now Gallagher might lose his 'the only businessman in the village' persona and be back to being the fella who denied being FF and all the connotations that arose from the tweet.

Henryhill2 · 17-09-2018 6:34pm

Matt Barrett wrote: »

I think team Dragon might have miscalculated. One to go after Higgins while leaving Gallagher to look Presidential may have worked, but there's so many now Gallagher might lose his 'the only businessman in the village' persona and be back to being the fella who denied being FF and all the connotations that arose from the tweet.

If the other 2 sit back and don't spend money or garner votes

Leaves them free to work for Gallagher

eastwest · 17-09-2018 7:00pm

Henryhill2 wrote: »

If the other 2 sit back and don't spend money or garner votes

Leaves them free to work for Gallagher

Leaves them free to get dirty while their number one guy sails past MDH.
In their dreams!

Henryhill2 · 17-09-2018 7:02pm

eastwest wrote: »

Leaves them free to get dirty while their number one guy sails past MDH.
In their dreams!

It's not going to work

James Brown · 17-09-2018 7:11pm

Shows bad character for Duffy and Casey IMO. I don't believe they even think either of them will win. And I've yet to read what ground breaking things they'll bring to office that others aren't already espousing. Business smarts is it, to a role that conducts no business?

ouxbbkqtswdfaw · 17-09-2018 7:17pm

I think it's a sad situation that Higgins is the best we can come up with. Do we think he's great because of his flowery speeches? I glaze over after a few sentences. Does anyone remember anything of note that he said? Do other countries think he's great, or is it just us? I'm a little suspicious when all our politicians and media think he's the greatest.

Loafing Oaf · 17-09-2018 7:29pm

8j1w94vbmnlt05 wrote: »

Does anyone remember anything of note that he said? .

Unofficial first rule of the Irish presidency is not to say anything noteworthy. Mary Robinson made her mark not through speeches but through gestures like meeting LGBT groups, light in the Aras window....

oscarBravo · 17-09-2018 7:30pm

8j1w94vbmnlt05 wrote: »

I think it's a sad situation that Higgins is the best we can come up with.

Who would be your ideal president?

Water John · 17-09-2018 7:55pm

Its not the unofficial rule, its the official rule. The President is limited in what they can say and do.

Beechwoodspark · 17-09-2018 8:04pm

There’s rumours a certain GAA commentator from Kerry is thinking of running for it. Has excellent gaeilge.

An Ciarraioch · 17-09-2018 8:10pm

Beechwoodspark wrote: »

There’s rumours a certain GAA commentator from Kerry is thinking of running for it. Has excellent gaeilge.

The fact he's 88 might just put him off running for a seven-year term.

FrancieBrady · 17-09-2018 8:11pm

Beechwoodspark wrote: »

There’s rumours a certain GAA commentator from Kerry is thinking of running for it. Has excellent gaeilge.

Would be a serious contender if true.

ouxbbkqtswdfaw · 17-09-2018 8:22pm

I haven't a clue. But I don't think anyone else has either. The reason I focus on him is the consensus is he's done a great job. Fair enough. But why not give someone else a chance, seeing that the whole thing is merely ceremonial.
Anyway, why does he proclaim to be a socialist, and then want one of the highest paid jobs in the country?

eastwest · 17-09-2018 8:27pm

Beechwoodspark wrote: »

There’s rumours a certain GAA commentator from Kerry is thinking of running for it. Has excellent gaeilge.

It's what's called a red herring. We can expect a few more!

honeybear · 17-09-2018 8:29pm

Beechwoodspark wrote: »

There’s rumours a certain GAA commentator from Kerry is thinking of running for it. Has excellent gaeilge.

I would vote for him!!!

Jim Bob Scratcher · 17-09-2018 8:31pm

8j1w94vbmnlt05 wrote: »

I think it's a sad situation that Higgins is the best we can come up with. Do we think he's great because of his flowery speeches? I glaze over after a few sentences. Does anyone remember anything of note that he said? Do other countries think he's great, or is it just us? I'm a little suspicious when all our politicians and media think he's the greatest.

I doubt they can even see him.

expectationlost · 17-09-2018 8:33pm

8j1w94vbmnlt05 wrote: »

I haven't a clue. But I don't think anyone else has either. The reason I focus on him is the consensus is he's done a great job. Fair enough. But why not give someone else a chance, seeing that the whole thing is merely ceremonial.
Anyway, why does he proclaim to be a socialist, and then want one of the highest paid jobs in the country?

if Higgins wasn't standing other candidates from the may have emerged, eg Fergus Finlay.

the fact that the role is mostly ceremonial is why people want to stay on, Im glad that he is actually having have to contest the election, rather then be return uncontested, but he could have returned uncontested for a second term its in our constitution.

he is social democrat really.

the salary is given to endow the position with status and to enable the person not to ever need to use having had the position once they've left to earn money.

the salary is set by politicians write to your TDs and ask them to reduce it if you think its too much.

So Michael D IS running again!

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