Presidential Election 2025

Is it different though with an unrestrained Trump in office, and with the guard-rails that restrained him a bit in Term 1 now falling away? With the tariffs we should try to stay off his radar. I think its more important now to have someone with business experience who can sit down and talk to Trump about these things. Someone who understands quiet diplomacy, which has always benefitted Ireland in the past e.g. the Anglo Irish Agreement negotiations ultimately led to peace in Northern Ireland, by giving the Republic a consultative role in Northern Ireland. At the time some opposed it, like Haughey though he eventually came around. SF opposed it.

Michael D Higgins is a true sensible left winger with a sharp political intellect. A shrewd politician, with deeply held beliefs on matters of real social justice. In his early political life, he was a bit of an activist, but as he matured, he demonstrated a diplomacy on all matters of importance. He worked with both FF and FG in coalition, holding a ministerial position during the rainbow coalition, and the prior reynolds led FF/LAB government. He is an ardent supprter of womens rights, and other social issues. He knew how to conduct himself, and use his power constructively

Catherine Connolly has very little in common with him. She has no political aptitude, and is basically an activist. In the middle of a Presidential Election, competing against two very low key candidates, she is setting fire to her campaign by attacking topics which she cannot possibly hope to have any effect on. Her views on Ukraine/Russia/NATO are laughable, and constitute everything that is wrong with the left today. She has a long history of attacking the EU, and this outrageous attack on Germany is just the lastest episode of this.

Even if you proved that on actual beliefs, CC and Higgins are closely alligned - the radical difference is in temperment, and political aptitude. Higgins has it in spades. CC doesnt have any at all - clearly.

If you want to compare her to another left wing politician, it would have to be Jeremy Corbyn. Thats the same Corbyn who botched his leadership of the UK Labour Party, at a time when Britain needed real stewardship in countering the radical Tory party, both Pre and Post Brexit Ref. Corbyn could have waged an agressive war on both May and BJ, at a time when the Tory Party was ripping itself to pieces over the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement. Instead, he kept dropping the ball, and refused to follow the obvious choice of persuing a second referendum, until it was far too late. No, he preferred to try and pursue his nonsensical Left flavored Brexit, which he had NO chance of ever getting. He is, was, and will always be remembered as an embarrassment to the left.

The left, the REAL, Non-Crazed-Activist Left - need to avoid these type of candidates like the plague. They ruin any prospect of credible alternatives to the FFG stranglehold on this country. More-over when they go off-script (which they always do, always) they tend to damage the more moderate grounded left, and provide the right with yet another stick to beat us with.

Listen, im not doubting your sincerity in being a left winger. But honestly you do yourself no favours standing up for CC. She could still salvage something of this campaign, if she manages to put her activism on the shelf for the next few weeks. She could do that, but i doubt she will. It may be over before its started, and we just have to accept that. If you feel you have to support her, because the alternative is FFG - i respect that. I cant blame you. But moving forward we need something of a unified Left Wing grouping, if we have any hope. And that will mean excising a lot of, no doubt popular, but flawed loud mouthed activists. Otherwise this will just happen again and again.

Since you are asking others, i will tell you straight up. I dont know who i will vote for. The presidential election could have been a sounding board for a more serious upcoming election (Local, European and General). The left could have captured some of the public imagination, if we had a properly run campaign. But thats not going to happen now, and iv accepted that. So far my only source of delight is that Steen didnt get on the ballot. If the left are not adequetly represented, then it goes without saying, im pleased the Neo Christian Right are also absent.

I could probably vote for one of the others, a lot will depend on the debates. Im not ruling out voting for CC, as some have. But a lot depends on her character as the campaigning gets underway.

A Eurosceptic presidency would be unfortunate in the current international situation, where Europe needs to speak as one on issues like Ukraine and the Trump tariffs. While the president doesnt have control of foreign policy, presidential statements have the potential to confuse our international partners of where Ireland stands. We saw this after Sabina Higgins newpaper article, after then Lithuania criticised Ireland for having a "luxury of geography". She is not the president, but perception is important.

Higgins hasnt met Trump once since either's election as President. I dont know what the reason is. I find Trumps views distasteful, but we need to talk to such people. The Labour party is fine with meeting Xi Jinping and did so when in government, including in 2012 when he visited Ireland and met Eamon Gilmore.

You keep referring to CC as “looney” or “crazy” she is far from that in fairness to the woman. Very hyperbolic and unfair. And negates any valid points you make on CC. Particularly in light of how people phrase “mental health” issues these days. It doesn’t reflect well.

CC is simply politically naive and overly earnest/idealistic. Much closer to some PBP beliefs than labour- anti imperialist anti EU etc. But that to me is more suited to an MEP or a student council representative. Not President of Ireland.

That is just a world view though it does not mean it is “mad”. Judging by Michael Darragh McCauley’s views on the NFL in CP. His strongly held belief that NFL Is tied to American militarism. His viewpoint pacifist and anti-imperialist would appear to tie in with Connolly’s world view.

https://www.thesun.ie/sport/15890983/michael-darragh-macauley-nfl-croke-park-dublin-gaa/

That is Catherine Connolly’s voter base. Basically those that have strong views on imperialism like McCauley. Who are also pacifists, strongly pro Palestine etc.

And for those who don’t follow GAA McCauley was a Jim Gavin stalwart on the pitch.

Well normally such people are not just “Putin sympathisers” as many in the media paint them. They are also strongly anti American imperialism as well. They don’t view it as appeasement they view it as anti war, anti imperialism. Nothing “crazy” about it in theory.Far left student types lap that up. I don’t view it as practical though.

You realise Connolly isn't running under the SF banner?