Presidential Election 2025

The Indo seems rather glum.

https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/politics/mary-regan-how-two-presidential-candidates-failed-to-take-on-tv-debate-challenge-and-where-to-next/a779003343.html

Connolly seems to have the momentum now.

Syria again… jays. Connolly went to Syria on a humanitarian fact-finding mission to see the suffering on the ground. She funded the trip herself. It wasn’t a regime backing stunt and she didn’t meet Assad. She met a sanctioned businessman through the aleppo chamber of commerce, which she later admitted that was a mistake. She wasn’t fully aware of his ties to Assad.

If you want to criticise her, fair enough. But "rubbing shoulders with despots." is just a lazy smear.

By the way, do you know who did meet Assad though? Micheál Martin. Funny how there’s never the same outrage about that meeting.

Irish times (Pat Leahy) article on the VM debate yesterday. Much of his take was similar to many of the comments on this thread.

https://archive.is/amMC8

But there was on point that caught my eye -

But a lot of what the candidates talk about will have nothing to do with the presidency

“Much of the debate was taken up with discussion of current issues facing the Government – housing, of course, but also migration, the state of the Defence Forces, the far right, crime on the streets. This suited Connolly, who was across many of the issues raised and delivered well-honed criticisms of the Government. She has the luxury of nearly a decade in Opposition, never having had to face the compromises and disappointments of office. She made full use of this structural advantage.”

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Leahy then pointed out that Gavin was the only one of the three candidates that tried to focus on the Presidency, rather than other issues.

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The article made me think maybe that is what the electorate want not a “President” but someone who mirrors the views of the country on housing, defence, policing, international affairs etc? Even though a President can’t affect those issues?

If so, I think it is arseways as surely the focus should be on the actual job of President/limited powers and its symbolic role?

Confused by this. If Martin was/is a weak leader he wouldn’t have been able to push Gavin over Kelleher. Distance himself from Ahern. And make sure he didn’t run nevermind get nominated.
if Ahern ran SF PBP et al, would crow about “cronyism, corruption” etc etc. Martin has also won elections and is arguably the best performer in DE debates. Many parties would love to have a “weak leader” like him?

Also don’t they say Martin is well liked nationally in polls? Despite people’s misgivings about FF’s recent past under other leaders CJ, Ahern etc.

isn’t Martin a bit like the way Mary Lou is for SF? Broad appeal outside his party?

In any case pushing Gavin forward by Martin looks like as poor a misjudgment, as SF think tank in not running a candidate. Easy in hindsight though.

It wouldn't look good if we elect a president that compares Germany to the 1930s when Hitler was running the country.

And instead of withdrawing what she said she doubles down which makes it even worse.

Is Connolly generally liked in Galway ? Or is the general reaction “There’s yer one, crowing again?”

I don't beleive the majority of the electorate would know all her nuances or indeed would care for all of them, particularily when there are so many smears going around about all candidates. They'll judge her on her demeanor, the way she holds herself, how personable she is etc, and her general record.

Higgins had plenty of controversial "to some" opinions and statements over his career, didn't stop him getting the job on two occassions and doing a decent job at the same time. Granted, there are many who disagree with him or that he gave a good job nut at the end of the day you just need to appeal to most of the people who vote, relative to the other candidates.

Connolly has a great chance of winning the thing now. If as I assume Gavin gets eliminated on the first count.

That leaves HH v CC. Which is basically the older female rural “middle of the road” conservative voter - v the youth strong pro Palestine vote.

Where Gavin’s transfers go will be crucial. And where will the Munster Kelleher vote go? Stick with FF or split between CC and JG? I can’t see JG being popular in Cork!

I think 'out of his depth' is quite fair as an assessment. What we saw last night was a man who was probably over confident. And felt he could do the job, and received a lot of encouragement from FF.

But then appeared totally out of his comfort zone. And truly incapable of communicating.

Another poster mentioned that if JG is INEVITABLY eliminated first, it will reflect badly on Martin. I'd agree with that. Its appropriate that he should receive a large portion of the blame.

Where Gavin’s transfers go will be crucial.

They're obviously going to go overwhelmingly to Humphries. Connolly will have have a very high FPV, possibly 45%+, to win…

They will cling to the big bad 'Nazi' word right up to polling day.

I missed last nights debate, (these debates are past my bed time) made the mistake of sticking it on in bed and fell asleep. I genuinely don't know who to vote for but I'm led to believe last night would have given me no clarity anyway.

The one query I have and maybe those with more knowledge here can answer me, why do they keep pressing them on the issues of today such as housing and immigration? I would see the presidential role as more of an international front of house. The president all though signs off on any changes made to law, they really have no say and can't really make any difference in them. They are not likely to go in and dissolve the current government.

When looking at a candidate, I look for who can hold their own on the international stage and who would I like to represent my country as a whole, there is no denying Higgins was amazing in this role.

And on a personal note, I think there should be a stipulation that any candidate should be fluent in the native language.