Presidential Election 2025

She has her hard- core supporters,usually hard left types and PBP members. Don't think she gets above 10% first preferences in Dail elections,she's very notable for her opposition to the Galway bypass and many galway people will remember that.Has been an ineffective TD for Galway West in most people's eyes.

That quote is so typical of Leahy, he offers the pretence of objective journalism but then his centrist loyalty overtakes him and he sticks the boot in.

That’s grand and all that but it basically a person’s strongly held views on current affairs.

All the very pro Palestine line plays well with Republicans, the youth left vote etc. For Example Conradh na Gaeilge (Harcourt Street() (closed for renovations over a year now) - likely a snapshot of the Connolly core vote.

CnaG were one of the first I saw to start hanging up Palestine flags. There were youngsters making collections for Palestine. Concerts for Palestine way early on, aimed at youngters. The bar had a massive sign on the wall “Stad an slad” / “stop the slaughter”

But in my head I think sure it is the President of Ireland we are voting for not the President of Gaza/Palestine? The POI has to be a symbol on a broad range of issues.

Not a one trick pony - pacifism/anti-imperialist. Things that have little to do with the office of President.

Connolly even seems more interested in that stuff, than even the Irish language.

But the President of Ireland can’t affect change in that way. It is a non executive office. The most the POI can do is refer legislation for review, or dissolve DE etc

To me the office of President is a focus on Irish cultural values Arts/Language/Sports. And symbol of all in Irish society from all different backgrounds, countries.

Gavin seems to realise that and has some great ideas on forums and discussions among groups that want a voice etc. But is too inept in his delivery to articulate it.

For the first time in my life I thought “Even I could do better than Jim Gavin” during yesterday’s debate. Some great ideas for the POI but poor delivery and explanation of them.

Yet Connolly wins a.debate discussing current affairs, human rights. Said little on the actual office of President. And was weak on NI/UI question. Which is a lot closer geographically than the Middle East is to the ROI!

The whole logic seems upside down for me.
Surely the debate should be a focus on the office of President itself and what a candidate will bring to the role in IRELAND? Not an election on a candidates worldview?

That doesn’t seem like a vote on POI it is a vote on something entirely different.

I would not say HH won the debate, not at all. I think on reflection though she came second, merely as a result of Gavins VERY poor showing. I genuinely dont see Gavin improving enough to make an impact, so he will be elminated first.

HH needs to come out swinging squarely at CC in the next debates, and probably just leave Gavin alone altogether. Even were he to swing at HH, in an effert to re-ignite old FF-FG rivalry - the smart move for HH is to dodge, and try and deflect on to Connolly, thereby appearing friendly to the remaining Gavin Voters.

I also think it is a foregone conclusion at this stage, that CC will win the first count. Cannot see any other result. CC won the debate clearly, and i say that as someone who has argued for days now, that she is too radical, and too militantly anti western in nature. I can still see this as the issue that will cost her the election.

What is in doubt for me, is the amount of 1st prefs CC hoovers up in comparison to HH. And that will decide the election. Also how many 1st prefs will actually go to Gavin in the first place; If he places so low, that the redistrubution is unlikely to change the standing of the other candidates. For me that is entirely possible after last nights display.

If i were advising CC, i would be saying that its her election to lose; but that she could still lose it, if she fails to reframe her talking points onto a more even standing. She was beginning to do that last night, saying that a connolly presidency would explore how she can effect the conversation around global and domestic issues. This could win it for her, if she captures enough of the center, and maintains control of the election cycle. But if she drags the conversation further into murky contentious topics, that will be her downfall.

@gormdubhgorm I would agree that it would be a soft all-Ireland win for HH, if she remains very quiet and anonymous, - Gavin fails as he likely will, CC comes first - and Gavin transfers elect Humphreys. I think that is a spot on analogy, but it seems very likely to me. Iv said before that when opening the news in the morning, i am almost expecting CCs next 'topic' to be something controversial. Its in her nature, and it will cost her dearly.

We need up to date polls! Honestly, that is what the analysis is missing!!

But the President of Ireland can’t affect change in that way. It is a non executive office. The most the POI can do is refer legislation for review, or dissolve DE etc

Yes, people mostly know that. A President can like MDH give voice to concerns and human rights values though.

To me the office of President is a focus on Irish cultural values Arts/Language/Sports. And symbol of all in Irish society from all different backgrounds, countries.

No issues there, Presidents can and have done that more than adequately.

Gavin seems to realise that and has some great ideas on forums and discussions among groups that want a voice etc. But is too inept in his delivery to articulate it.

For the first time in my life I thought “Even I could do better than Jim Gavin” during yesterday’s debate. Some great ideas for the POI but poor delivery and explanation of them.

Unfortunately for Jim and he struggled on this last night, running for FF gives the lie to his 'great ideas'. It isn't 'inept' it is the fact all the Terri Prone's in the world won't explain that dichotomy for him.

Yet Connolly wins a.debate discussing current affairs, human rights. Said little on the actual office of President. And was weak on NI/UI question. Which is a lot closer geographically than the Middle East is to the ROI!

Connolly won because she more than adequately showed she had a brain and it belonged to her. I'll bet she didn't have to look at note throughout.

The whole logic seems upside down for me.
Surely the debate should be a focus on the office of President itself and what a candidate will bring to the role in IRELAND? Not an election on a candidates worldview?

That doesn’t seem like a vote on POI it is a vote on something entirely different.

It has never in my lifetime (wrong side of 60) been any different.

Can't speak for colleges but there were fliers being handed out at the Limerick milk market on Saturday morning 2 weeks ago for Catherine Connolly

Few posters on lamp posts for all 3 but nowhere near as much as we would have for a General Election

It sounds like the Connolly campaign team are targeting younger voters. Traditionally a risky strategy as they don't tend to be as interested in voting as older people but generally they tend to be more liberal so it could potentially pay off

Well I didn’t know. two past women Presidents. Did very well with their cultural themes. Robinson the Irish diaspora- cultural ties to Ireland. McAleese was “building bridges” looking for common ground between NI and ROI.

Higgins- I don’t know what that fellas theme was in 2011. Sheer force of personality and a wide breath of knowledge on Culture/Arts/Language had him win pulling up. He didn’t need a theme. 2011 I saw an election leaflet here had the tagline “Passion, experience, vision”

https://irishelectionliterature.com/2011/10/10/six-page-leaflet-michael-d-higgins-for-president-of-ireland-labour-party-2011-presidential-election/

I don’t think previous Presidents to Robinson had strong themes. The Àras was just a glorified retirement home then.

All three candidates now have themes- but from what I see Connolly’s one is the only one of the three that has a theme with no connection to Ireland. “compassionate diplomacy” with who?

Just a general - be nice world. She could have paraphrased the boards.ie maxim “World, Don’t be a dick”

That's precisely what Mary Regan is at this morning in the Indo - an appeal to FF and FG to go after CC and here's how to do it......The problem FF have is Gavin is hopeless and HH is clearly a reluctant candidate so I'm not sure they have it in them.

The better Connolly does, the more the media will take aim at her the only problem they have is, she's been campaigning for months and the IT and Indo have taken multiple and persistent pot shots at her - the first poll will reveal if it's worked.