Presidential Election 2025

Shame on those TDs that couldn't take it to give Maria Steen those extra 2 votes!! The public want a choice, a proper choice!!!

People should refuse to vote because these 3 certainly don't represent a proper statesperson!! Maybe get rid of the role altogether because nobody deserved of the role wants it!

That is one of the plus points for Gavin. But I don't know about voting for Gavin because I know him as Dublin manager etc. And then FF (Martin) cynically parachuting him in him in as a candidate.

The only two words I can describe it as voting for Gavin as no1 would leave me feeling "manipulated and cheap". At most Gavin will be getting my no2 max for that reason alone.

As for Connolly I will give her time to see if she can redeem herself. In live debates etc. Maybe her team will have worked through stock answers to likely questions by that stage?

You know and I know, Jim Gavin would never directly answer a question when given time, unless he is sure that the answer will not reflect badly on him.

To paraphrase a line that Gavin and his players used to use a lot, to the point of parody. I will "trust the process".

But at the moment I am so much on the fence about who to vote no1, I have lots of metaphorical splinters on my arse

its extremely rare that a party whip is enforced at county council level. was it done before in a national election to stop other candidates ?

Maybe because he had an interest in the job last time and didn't get nominated. Was always a blow hot and cold type character. This certainly won't improve his image

My guess is that whoever wins will do the exact same thing. The president has no choice but to sign off on legislation from the houses of the Oireachtas. Catherine Connolly can talk all she wants about her opposition to NATO but if the government of the day sign a law placing us in the organisation she will have little choice but to sign it. Similarly if the govt invite Trump or Netanyahu over on a state visit she will be required to shake hands with these people.

And more importantly, I believe she is fully aware of this fact! The likes of Steen and McGregor would refuse similar policies and only trigger another election

Well im unsure if it was you who refered to me as Undemocratic - Certainly the charge has been thrown around a lot since i started commenting on Steen last night -

As for my use of the word Slander - If someone calls me undemocratic - i view it as an insult, and yes a slanderous accusation. Not that i am receiving legal advice on the matter, or anything. Its a politics forum, if someone isnt refering to someone else as a fascist, or an autocrat, it would be the first.

As for the meaning of the word - the utterance of false charges or misrepresentations which defame and damage another's reputation. I view calling me undemocratic, as being false. But im not going to get into a back and forth argument, and people can have their own views. I am democratic - if you dont believe i am - fine, entirely your choice.

On Steen and her Views:

Im perfectly happy to accept that she is entitled to her views, as are her supporters. My issue with her, aside from being opposed to everything the Iona 'Institute' stands for, relates to her conduct in this campaign. She has repeatidly tried to reframe her candidacy as that of an 'anti establishment maverick' - a brave women standing up to the 'establishment' for the rights of the people, and the family.

We have seen this tactic function effectively in bringing several bad actors into positions of power. Trump, Farage, and Orban to name but a few. Steen may not be establishment by current standards, but she is a flag bearer for old Capital C Christian Conservative Ireland. Being someone who grew up in that era, i am very pleased its over. And i am freely stating that here.

As for her claim to be pro family - well, she probably is. Just as long as said family happens to be based on a model which fits her narrow views. She is certainly not for the rights of Same-Sex based families - she has stated numerous times she is against their rights to raise children, whether by adoption or surrogacy.

For people who agree with Steen, whether completely or in part - they are 100% Free to support or found parties that promote these view points. I am a democrat, and if any attempt were made to prevent persons from doing so, i would fight against it. That would be entirely undemocratic.

Im fine with how i have conducted myself here, if anyone wishes to discuss anything i have said - feel free to comment, and i will reply in kind. I am happy about todays outcome, while fully accepting, and expecting a large backlash via Gript, and the usual Populist Right in thie country.

I'd say Micheál Martin is breathing a sigh of relief today, half of the FF voters were against the abortion referendum and align themselves to Steen's old religious values so may have seen voting for her over Jim as an opportunity to send a message to the party leadership.

There's still plenty of "backwoodsmen" in the party as Varadkar called them like Willie O'Dea who could use such a result to cause a schism.

Haven't seen a single shred of evidence via the few bits I've seen on the media that says Gavin would be a great diplomat. But then we havent seen much of Jimbo at all really so who knows.

I won't be voting for him in any case. Don't like the way he was selected, or any appearance I've seen of him since. The i'm from Clare schtick, and the farming video turned me right off.