Presidential Election 2025

you raise some interesting points. And i will admit our voting system is fair, and far better than the FPTP method in the UK. That said some sort of left wing co-operation prior to a general, would optimize the left and center left vote.

I agree with you on the negative effect it could have. The example you give of SocDem voters being reluctant to back the party, if their only goal is to prop up Sinn Fein - its a very good point. The only thing i can say against that, is that a decision to revert to 'Business as Usual' elections will lead to no real change.

I could counter too, and ask which would be better.

• Soc Dems in coalition with other left wing parties, propping up a Sinn Fein led Left Wing Government - beit confidence and supply, or a real coalition, with ministerial positions and a voice at the budget.
• Soc Dems in coalition with FFG - beit one of, or both Fianna Fail and Fine Gael - effectively propping up the Business as Usual Center right of Irish Politics.

You could substitute in Labour, or anyone you wish. And, speaking of Labour, they have frequently elected large amounts of TDs, only to enter coalition with FFG - It never worked out for them, and while they always claim that Labour 'reigned in' the worst aspects of the Irish Center Right - they were ALWAYS crucified at the next general election.

That is where myself and yourself fundamentally differ. I view HH Orange familial links as positive. Inclusion etc. Plus what I have seen the moderate people who go to Orange parades. Simply view it as a family day out. Eating ice creams etc.
It has become benign for people with any sense/cop on. From what I see.

It also occurred to me how many people in ROI go to mass? Priests have to be brought into the ROI from Africa now.. Mostly grey heads attending. And from what I heard in the church my elderly parents attend. The church stopped the morning mass aimed at kids ages ago, because young parents no longer bring their children.

Also Ireland no longer follows Catholic teachings Divorce, Abortion, Gay Marriage, Contraception has long been legal.

The real nub for me is, J noticed the DUP claim the Republic is a “cold place” for Protestantism And diehard Republicans online refer to Humphreys as an “Orangewoman”.

If I vote HH I prove 🇮🇪 is inclusive to the DUP bigots. Putting it up to them. And also pissing off diehard Republican bigots It tells me voting for HH is the correct choice. It is what the tricolour is supposed to represent.

I think you and I have a very different way of looking at Irish Politics, or perhaps politics in general

Why would she need to make public statements to indicate that she can do the job of President?

Probably because she is running to be elected as president - To say nothing of politics, when one is applying for a job, indidcating that one can do the job is rather important.

She's said nothing to indicate that she can't do the job of President, other than having some opinions that you disagree with.

Its not about whether one agrees or disagrees. Its about not dragging her campaign into controversial areas.

Iv said previously as have others; Attacking Germany (a democracy) for re-arming at a time when the EU is happy to have them do so. Her contentious views of the US as an 'Imperial Power'. Her statements about Hamas. Prior to the election, she blames NATO for Russia invading Ukraine.

Im not going to re do all that has been posted about the above. You probably agree with her, and thats fine. But these are controversial topics, and it showed a complete lack of tact, and political nuance to raise them during a presidential election. Its about the fact that the job of president requires someone with an aptitude for diplomacy, and an ability to reign in opinions that will cause controversy, whether here and abroad.

Im happy to agree to disagree. She has an opportunity tonight to reign herself in, and reframe her candidacy.

In fairness to SF they have to appeal to two different demographics in two different jurisdictions. And it’s “strategy” has long being led by the smaller jurisdiction. It was notable that Eoin O’Broin was nice to Humphreys in his comments re the Orange connections.
Remember this is the man who didn’t use the phrase ROI in his housing book. Explained why in the preface, I believe.

Of the three candidates it seems to me only one main party is really happy - FG.

There seemed to be a core of SF that didn’t want to back Connolly/run their own Candidate. There is minority in FF who are wound up because they wanted Kelleher.

If the GAA has shown me anything it is the settled side, with a clear direction that does well. Humphreys is that “settled side”. The other two are “in transition” . HH the safe choice.

Good polling costs a lot of money. I presume, given the time factor of when the final candidate selection was clear, it was too near for last Sunday. Hopefully by the weekend. Probably plenty, rolling from then.

Why would we not just do it here? Its not like it's happening in parallel, its the only game in town tonight, as far as this topic goes

No they weren’t drunk. I remember the story because I laughed at how parochial Louth was. It was a culture shock for him.

I think it is obvious to me that ROI voter is far less tribal and blinkered/bitter than NI or the border counties for obvious reasons.

It shows in the comments the ROI is a centre right/left country. NI/border counties are more concerned with them v us. That is the mindset.

And I voted McGuinness 2011 because I viewed him as personable. Willing to go against diehard Republicans for peace.

You paint HH as if she is a bigoted sectarian member of the OO. She has familial connections to that. But views herself as a Republican in the ROI.

I wasn’t brought up without bigotry that your crowd and the other crowd have have/had. So I can vote with a clear conscious. Maybe that is the key to it.

You can’t help where you are born or what your background is. No one has control over that. But they do have control over how to raise future generations. As the proclamation says

“The Republic guarantees religious and civil liberty, equal rights and equal opportunities to all its citizens, and declares its resolve to pursue the happiness and prosperity of the whole nation and of all its parts, cherishing all of the children of the nation equally”

Their then TD that is now an SF Senator (Chris Andrews) used yellow branding and no FF logo for most of his stuff from 2009 on, while still running as an FF member for that election. They may have found some of that lying around Leinster House and decided to copy it!

The opinion polls are generally intended to sell newspapers. The Sindo/Ireland Thinks poll appears in the first week of each month with the Sundoay Business Post/RedC poll appearing towards the end of each month. Both these polls use a panel-based approach. The Irish Times runs a quarterly poll with Ipsos/B&A and it uses face to face polling and that's considered a more reliable methodology. There may be an Irish Times poll closer to the election and it is the one to watch.