expectationlost wrote: he not taking the full salary, 250k instead of 325k, I think, Higgins as a social democrat sees its more important to keep the high status of the presidency so he can use its influence when its needed.
8j1w94vbmnlt05 wrote: » Actually I think most of our politicians would fit the above description, when you get to know them. It's the voters who are cynical. (They generally haven't a clue, only out for what the politicians can get for them. Not interested in the national interest). That's why I say there are lots of people who could do the job as well as or better than O Higgins. Why does he not give someone else a chance?
8j1w94vbmnlt05 wrote: » You're joking, surely?
8j1w94vbmnlt05 wrote: » He will of course be reelected. But I think he should have stepped down and let someone else have the job. New broom and all that.
expectationlost wrote: do you think the president should only serve one term?
8j1w94vbmnlt05 wrote: » Yes, seven years is a long time.
8j1w94vbmnlt05 wrote: » So we are going to reelect him because of the inability of the other candidates to register an impression. Fair enough. But I think it's a job that you would grow into. We will never know the capabilities of any of the others, because O Higgins is not giving us a chance. I dare suggest that they are all people of integrity, and would perform the mostly ceremonial duties as well as Ohiggins. Mr. O Higgins should have kept his promise.
feargale wrote: » Mostly ceremonial my eye. The president is the last bastion of protection of the Constitution. President Hillery met that challenge with aplomb on one occasion. The president is the commander-in-chief of the armed forces. Think of the implications of that. The president has a crucial role in relation to the constitutionality of legislation. Aside from integrity, experience as a legislator or lawyer, preferably both, are the most essential qualifications for the presidency, not a track record as a tv star or a proven record of self-enrichment, however legitimate. If you think he or she is there to play golf with Trump and to open the Puck Fair you may as well vote for that óinseach who thought she was funny making a joke of the presidency when she addressed Dublin City Council. Bravo to Mannix Flynn for giving it to her between the eyes,
An Ciarraioch wrote: » The fact he's 88 might just put him off running for a seven-year term.
Phoebas wrote: » I'm just not seeing how it to any of the current crop getting anywhere close to the incumbent.
brightspark wrote: » Liadh Ní Riada promises to bring 'enthusiasm, energy and commitment' if elected president.
Rhineshark wrote: » Yes, it's all the fault of Mr. O Higgins, although I'd point out its M. Higgins for a start... O'Riada.
Loafing Oaf wrote: » Eh, it's Ní Riada. :P
An Ciarraioch wrote: » https://mobile.twitter.com/gavreilly/status/1041725920262926342Any way of showing tweets as images here?
realdanbreen wrote: » Well the 'incumbent' has promised to do one thing and then gone and done the complete opposite, so I guess that does set him apart from the others!