Presidential Election 2025

What?

In that’ McDowell was willing to make use of Steen to a point from a political point of view. But can then dump her when it suits. A contradiction on the surface but politically shrewd.
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As for myself if a person who voted McGuinness 2011 and likely HH. Is a person viewing politics as “black and white” I don’t to how to square your perception of me with that.

In fact it did occur to me that an amalgamation of all the positive qualities of HH, CC, JG and MS would make the perfect president. But that is not how it works.

Yea thats a mature way of doing politics.

"I dont have to talk to anyone I disagree with, that will get a lot done…!"

What is the difference, because I don't see it?

Michael D signed the nomination papers of David Norris, even though he was running against him.

That is a decent summary of it.

I thought Gavin would be more able in front of the camera's but its early days. Lets see in the debates.

Humphries would be the safest bet of the lot, I think. She is seasoned, and you could trust her in the role and not to **** it up.

Connolly would be a disaster.

All of this discussion surrounding Maria Steen, and her failure to get support - and whether or not Michael McDowell was wrong to refuse her - I cannot help but feel it is disguising the real reasons behind the failure;

Who is the blame for Maria Steen not receiving the Nomination?

Its very easy to answer this, the person to blame is Maria Steen herself.

As an 'independent' without the backing of a big political party, she gave herself less than 1 month to gain the required support. It simply wasnt enough time. Had she announced her initention back in january, she could easily have spent months lobbying TDs and County Councils, and built on that support as the deadline appraoched. Her campaign was poorly planned, and she simply ran out of road.

Gript et al, have a vested interest in making this all about Michael McDowell and others, because they need the narrative to be 'Undemocratic' and 'the establishment' moving to squash an 'insurgent maverick'. Its nonsense. McDowell, and every member of both houses of government have the same rights - they can chose to nominate if they wish, whom ever they wish - Steen couldnt persuade enough of them to back her. So she failed to get nominated - fair and square

As for the elected members of FF and FG, and all of the other parties around the country in Local Councils - yes they were whipped. Again, this is not unfair - its not undemocratic, or evidence of anything other than Politics.

No extraordinary measures were employed to stop Steen - a system exists to get nominated - Steen tried to get nominated and failed -

People who feel slighted that she didnt get the nomination, - i have said it before, vote for who you want at the next election, and Lobby Steen to get started for 2032. I for one am happy she is NOT on the ballot this time, but i fully expect her to try again

Republicanism for me, but not for thee.

I'm in same boat as yourself. I vote left, she'd be my obvious candidate but so far she's come across as a poor candidate. If the left had consolidated around soembody like Catherine Murphy or Brendan Howlin I think it'd be a very strong candidate, but I don't see Connolly doing well. Maybe the campaign now that it's properly started will be the making of her, but I'm not confident.

The Orange Order is a sectarian quazi-political group steeped in blood and agitation.

There is a reason a current candidate did not want to be associated with it and was less than truthful or forthcoming with answers.