Presidential Election 2025

MdH has set the tone for the presidency,CC would follow in his footsteps but would be much more left leaning and outspoken if she was successful.I can see a major controversy within 6 months.

Catherine Connolly is one of the politicians who want Russia and China to have vetoes on our foreign policy.

It would be really interesting if the US withdraw their support for UNIFIL and those who have been dying in the ditch for the triple lock wake up and realise that the UN will be preventing Irish soldiers from protecting the Lebanese.

Catherine was Leas-Ceann Comhairle for 5 years and conducted the role with dignity and respect, I don't recall a single controversy. It's clear she commands respect across the house and the political divide which very few potential candidates can claim. A perfect choice for President.

I know posters on Boards fall on the crankier end of the age spectrum these days and that brings certain perspectives with it but if you really feel that the public has turned against Michael D over the past few years and doesn't want a similar sort of humanitarian pacifist to succeed him then I strongly disagree and suggest you speak with people outside of your own bubble.

Yeah, look we are political nerds who know her political career better than most, but their is a lot of people who will warm to Connelly because like MDH she just seems like a decent person.

MDH was a leftie, but I know people who would lean right and would not share his political views on much who voted for him, because they thought he was a good bloke. The stuff we talk about here which can be interesting doesn't register with Joe Public.

Speaking for the Left doesn't really work.

The 'Left' won't nominate McDowell because the Left doesn't see him as suitable.

Matters not a jot if you see similarities.

sorry wrong quote

@FrancieBrady

Speaking for the Left doesn't really work.

The 'Left' won't nominate McDowell because the Left doesn't see him as suitable.

Matters not a jot if you see similarities.

Indeed therefore it is political and has nothing to do with their record as a states man or woman.

Why not ask the poster who said this:

Two parties who had spent 100 years in opposition to each other joined together to keep out Sinn Fein,

What were the 3 occasions? Genuinely curious...

I think you’re wrong. She won’t be just like him. She’d be even worse!

I have lots of respect for Catherine Connolly. She's extremely intelligent, has often run rings around Ministers in the Dáil, and has championed many great causes.

But I couldn't vote for her based on her bizarre stance on Ukraine.

i would have no problem with her running for the presidency. It would be interesting to have an articulate left wing or 'far left' candidate on the ticket and participating in the TV debates. I'd still be sceptical of her widespread appeal though outside of said left wing circles.

I don't think her appeal is purely left wing. She's genuine, believes in what she says, has repeatedly shown she's incredibly intelligent, and doesn't really "play" politics at all.

But I think quite a few people are put off by her stance on Ukraine and previous support of the likes of Clare Daly.

The triple lock only came into being in 2001.

I wonder would Pat Spillane ever throw his hat into the ring. Well spoken, down to earth guy, relatable to most people and seems a very genuine decent human being. I don't want the Presidency to be something that a political party won. I want it to be held by someone who is respected by people across the country. By someone who would represent us well internationally. I think Spillane would represent the country with dignity and charm.