Presidential Nomination Discussion

I wouldn't mind a Scandinavian-style one but recognise that would be very much a minority opinion…

I don't think McGregor would have got a nomination TBH. But should he be stopped looking for one and should councils be stopped from voting for him or Oireachtas members? However… I do agree with you on him … but unfortunately what can you do?

I don't believe it to be anti-democratic, at the end of the day we vote in politicians who are part of a party, but I would argue it means the presidential election is not as apolitical as many would suggest, including FG's candidate when she starts her campaign.

For example if 20 FF backbenchers wanted they could put Kelleher on the ticket if they so wished. They won't and they certainly won't propose anyone outside their party.

The system limits the numbers get on the ticket to 18 candidates.

I would like to see a public nomination process: -

Candidates put themselves on a list, they must be nominated by 2 Irish citizens that are not close relatives to get on this ballot.

The ballot goes to each county council.

Voters who can vote in a presidential election must go to the HQ of their local authority to vote/nominate.

You only get one nomination, and you nominate by simple marking an X beside the name of the person you are nominating. You must have ID, polling card and proof of address with you.

I suggest to get nominated you need 10K (10K is a small enough number not to effect the outcome of the presidential election, 100k and then potential people think the nominee has won, once 10k is reach and remaining nomination are kept secret until after the election proper to avoid bias).

You many only campaign by going door to door, no posters or advertising, the only leaflet is an A4 page with your details and why your running for president, and how to nominate you.

You can only start the campaign a week before ballots open.

Nominations would open for a week.

Its a long process and the vote in the HQ is done on purpose as people have to go out of their way to nominate.

Many might even consider it pointless.

Why not the Higginses? Alice Mary seems to be pretty respected…maybe choose by sortition, just have some safeguards to ensure you don't end up with the Kinahan First Family…

You are arguing in this thread that the people are wrong

I never said anything about the 'people' on this thread.

Exaggerating again.

Ah, so you took that to mean me saying the 'people are wrong'?

Well sadly that is wrong.

It has nothing to do with how the people vote.

It has everything to do with the 'random' blocking of a route for people who are not politicians or attached to politic party's and don't want to be attached to political party's though.

The people are deciding to vote for SF. Others decide to vote for FG. Others again for FG and so on.

Nobody votes for a situation that allows those parties acting independently to block a route to a presidential nomination

If it was ONE party capable of blocking a route, you might be right, but it isn't.

FF yesterday doing the nod and the wink, 'we won't impose the whip but remember where your bread is buttered' just highlighted how shambolic and bizarre it has become.

Why not the McDowell's ?

I think a 7 year term elected president is best for us all.

Yerra, Francie wants to believe black is white at the best of times.

Who says the presidency is non political? And all we can say about the constitution is that they wanted 3 ways to be nominated (oireachtas, councils, former president who has served 1 term). The reasoning or intention isn't part of the constitution, it's just the facts.

So if you want to change this, do you have suggested changes?

How about a rule that says you have to declare your candidacy 3 months before?

The constitution has to be sacrosanct, otherwise the government of the day can introduce bills as the feel fit. It should give control to the people.

It means that the government has to think about legislation keeping in mind the constitution.

The constitution is largely a good model, it may not get everything right but it keeps checks in place.

Should a government want to change it, then they should put it to the people.

Anyone going for the presidency will be met with their political background.

Catherine Connolly is a Left Unity candidate, simply put while she is an independent she is supported by the Left PBP, Labour and SD. She want's to be some kind of continuity candidate, this is important for the left, the presidency is ours, Ireland is a left wing country.

FF have choose Paul Gavin as he was the Dublin manager with success, he is there to try to bring the Dublin vote back to FF.

FG want the presidency, something they have failed to achieve this is why they are telling their councilors to stop any vote for an "independent" candidate.

If you want us to believe it is apolitical or non-party political, then the President should be chosen from an older group of people that have done something for the country, and agreed upon by the majority in the Oireachtas (2/3).

Michael O'Leary for President!