Presidential Election 2025

It will be interesting to see the first opinion poll after nominations close to see if there's a big bounce for CC, if the SF effect gives her momentum. It seems to have ignited a few posters on here anyway. Lads that hadn't much to say prior to yesterday now chomping at the bit to have their views aired. CC has certainly got a bounce on here anyway.

No I see it clearly, you were happy your vote would mean more thanks to my spoiled vote indicating you had someone you were happy to vote for

True, she would not likely be very apolitical. And I assume by your reasoning Gavin is your preferred candidate?

He wants to remove the treble lock, military background and won’t rock the boat. Also the POI is the symbolic commander of the Defence Forces.

I understand all that argument. However my ptt problem with Gavin he was parachuted in the last minute. Never before mentioned an interest in politics, even in his years after he was not Dublin manager. It just seems very opportunistic and manipulative on the part of FF.if Gavin was independent I would be more inclined to give him no1.

On HH the cross border ties literal embodiment of the three colours of the tricolour if she gets the gig. But I just can’t warm to the woman her lack of effort in learning the Irish language when she was in department supposed to promote it, irks me.

So that leaves me with Connolly at least we know what we would get from her idealism, but at least it is an idealism with a legal background. Also of course speaks the Irish language.

For me CC is the “least worst” choice out of the three. Given my reasoning. If HH was more sincere she would be my number 1.

Realistically is Ireland capable of defending itself? Not even if it became a militaristic country in my view. Are the electorate willing to increase military spending at the expense of Heath, Housing etc? No, I would argue. So then some of Connolly’s view make sense in light of that reality.

Ireland is the soft underbelly of Europe. The RAF already in all but name defends Ireland. And the British navy would also end up doing so if Ireland faced real threat given Ireland’s geographical position. Otherwise the British themselves leave their own country open.

Still Connolly for me unless something disastrous happens between now and polling day.

You don’t need charisma to be a symbol of a country. Just embody the values of that country.

This was Gavin when he was given Freedom of Dublin in 2020. Just more emphasis would be put on Ireland in his victory speech if he got the Áras. Instead of Dublin.

https://www.rte.ie/news/dublin/2020/0118/1108320-freedom-of-city/

Haha!

Feic me but SFs " game changer" tactic was to row in behind CC....

Total joke shop organisation.

The only people scarmongering are folks like yourself in relation to the dismantling of the Triple Lock.

If the priority is hardline security, military deterrence, and alignment with NATO, Connolly looks dangerously naive.

If the priority is neutrality, peacekeeping, and Ireland acting as a voice of conscience in global affairs, her position has merit.

You cannot have both, we're either neutral or we're not. The reality is that Ireland will never have an army capable of defending itself.

Funnily, herself and Higgins are of the same viewpoint in this regards. Both are critical of the US and NATO foreign policy. Connolly is just more blunt in her critique of both . I suspect you think Higgins was a great president though.

She needs to be streets ahead of HH and Gavin to have any chance.

What are SF's values?

“HH is interesting from the point of view of being a Presbyterian and from a former unionist family.”

I agree- but I think she needs to capitalise on that background - opposition will likely paint her as some sort of UVF volunteer by the time they’re finished with her- but I think the challenge here is the Presbyterian community themselves- reading the Irish times yesterday there doesn’t appear to be a cohesive support for her from that community and many in her hometown don’t want to talk or go on record - they seem to be at best, neutral - there’s certainly neither a feeling of hope or excitement about the prospect of her as the next president of Ireland