Presidential Election.

Nothing wrong with jobs for the boys

No point in boycotting an election, as someone is going to win regardless, you might as well have your say.

However doing your best to make sure local councillors who voted against allowing further candidates to be on the ballot are not returned in the next local elections should be the goal.

Also if they are canvasing at any stage, or representing themselves in capacity as a councillor (as opposed to their private life), then giving them a right grilling for their choices is only fair.

The questions asked were the obvious ones, and she was totally unwilling to answer them.

Hamas, Russia, Northern Ireland.

The northern Ireland answer was so weak it became laughable. She's been to northern Ireland a lot of times it seems. She ran a marathon.

Was waiting for to mention some of her best friends are from northern Ireland.

I've come into this election with an open mind for everyone (except bertie) but Connolly has really gone down in my expectations.

Sometimes she looks and sounds like she has the gravatass, that thoughtful look from a wiser older candidate, not in the first flush of youth.

Then she speaks, and there's nothing profound or deep, just the well rehearsed wishes like standing with Palestine, a United Ireland and an end to poverty. Wishy washy not very wise at all.

I would imagine the patriots and facebook grannies etc would all be in favour of Steen if she gets the nod? Bring back real Catholic ireland etc. If she mentioned immigration I think she could win, or am i being ridiculous? given the other candidates are likely to be really uninspiring this one could bring out a large section of society to vote for her.

She is the Peter Casey candidate of this election but way more refined and an excellent debater. The other 3 candidates don't seem great when questioned. Plus she isnt obsessed about foreign wars like the left.

So who knows. If Casey could get 23% she could do even better.

I dunno. I think she has a fighting chance. 38% voted against the SSM referendum in 2015 and 34% voted against the abortion referendum. I can't imagine those voters have changed their position. Those votes are Maria Steens if she is on the Ballot along with a sizeable protest vote against FG & FF. Transfers could be her achilles heel but I think if she gets on the ballot she will poll really well on 1st preference votes.

Agreed. 2nd & 3rd preferences will be problematic for her

I would fully expect Musk to get involved. He has form for stirring the pot here and in the UK