Presidential Election 2025

The O'Cuiv recommendation is a fact, even if you don't want it to be

For some extremes it could be par for the course.

I happened to hear Connolly on Clare Byrne, awhile after my initial post. Where she repeated how she "abhors" violence.

However, Connolly was smart in the sense that focused on the rehabilitation side of things for the woman in question (model prisoner, PHD studies etc) and called out people who were not willing to give people a chance to rehabilitate "hypocrites".

It was also notable one of the first names she mentioned was E.O'Cuiv then Clare Daly who were acquainted with the scheme, that this woman in question was involved in. I believe she said O'Cuiv recommended the woman. But I am open to correction on that.

Martin was very quick to state that Connolly's judgement was "shocking" knowing full well that is all he has to say. Boosting Gavin's chances in the race.

Connolly always seems to have an advantage in debates to my ear. In that she is so quietly spoken and almost passive aggressive. It can seem like an interviewer is bullying her. That was how it could be interpreted by some in the Clare Byrne interview, I thought.

Personally, I don't find it "shocking" like Martin. But, it is further proof to me that Connolly is left of Labour/Soc Dems and maybe even many in SF at this stage. Bar the Irish Language Interest, she seems to have a lot more in common with PBP ideologically.

To my mind the PBP "type" of politician is in no way suited to the office of President of Ireland.

If you're explaining, you're losing.

I'd agree, up to a point.

Sometimes though the rebound can hurt others high moral ground stance.

The 'hang em high', 'lock em up and throw away the key' folk won't be convinced but I think Connolly won't be damaged all that much by this, as that is how she has always been to those who know her - humane and to those thinking of voting for her, it all depends on their opinion of rehabilitation. And what this lady has gone on to do with her life seems to me anyway, a shining example of rehabilitation and those who facilitate it.

While CC is standing up for prisoners and criminals I think most people at this stage want to see consequences for the thuggery that goes on daily in our towns and cities, not fluffy language around "rehabilitation" and "god love them".

He normally annoys me but that's a very reasonable article.

I know the uninformed far right clowns online built up a fantasy around him but I'm surprised Toibin thought he was one of their own.

A lot will depend on the level of support that Ukraine receives - and the positioning of Washington/Trump, on the conflict.

Both of these factors are capable of fluctuating to a serious degree. Ukraine has always maintained that it will fight on, and will accept no settlement that gives up territory. We could debate that, as I for one do not see them getting the Crimean Peninsula back. I worry that they may also end up losing some of the eastern territories (portions of Luhansk and Donetsk). None of us are privy to internal discussions in Kyiv on what they are willing to accept - they are playing the diplomatic game correctly, by maintaining that they will give nothing up. In contrast to Trump who seems to throw out portions of US Doctrinal Thinking on twitter so he can get 'likes' from his base.

It seems clear to me though that Russian War goals have also fluctuated. Its easy to prove this is you examine the conflict from day one. Putin believed Ukraine would utterlly crumble. He would annex the territory he wanted, and what remained would become another Belarus. When this utterly failed, he 'reframed' his war goals toward Luhansk and Donetsk, and tried to say that these were the central targets of the 'special military operation'.

The optics of the conflict have always been entirely negative for Russia, and Putins draconian muzzling of the media in Russia, seems to indicate that internal support is a real concern. Casualties have always been hard to pinpoint but Russia has lost more troops during this conflict, than the US has lost during Vietnam and the War on Terror combined. They have also been forced to get assistence from North Korea, which again, really seems an embarassment to me.

You asked for a solution, and I can only speculate;

Putin needs to end this conflict and claim victory - or he is finished in the long run. Even if we negate the possibility of the regime being toppled, his own allies will oust him - this has been the way of it in Russia going back decades.

Knowing this, the West and Ukraine could come to an agreement whereby the conflict becomes frozen. Territories are taken, but never acknowledged or accepted by the International community (outside of a few Russian alligned actors). Putin then gets to point to these unofficial gains, and claim a win to his government and the Russian people. What these gains will be (Crimea, Luhansk, Donetsk, a buffer around said territories) - i would be diving further into speculation if i went any further.

Ukraine needs support, that is a fact, and I hope they receive it. In terms of looping this back to the Presidential Election, i think CC's opinions are the most antithetical to that fact.

Interested to hear peoples thoughts.

MM's decision is absolutely mystifying … Gavin's acceptance almost equally so.

But Gavin released a video to show he actually had 'hit the ground running'. 😄

Just to render it correctly.

Your one comes across like a lunatic. Then to get convicted under firearms charges.
Yet some are trying to convince us that Connolly has good judgment?

Her nominating Gemma now makes sense.

Connolly comes across as an idiot now. A useful idiot for people with nefarious and dangerous ideas.

Gavin has had to take down another video this morning it seems.

Gavin's campaign is poor. Connolly's campaign is doing nothing to increase her support outside of her base. Humphreys looks like she will win just by staying quiet.

Is this confirmed? Sorry, im engaging in multiple chats both on Boards and elsewhere - (i am such a political nerd i know)

But honestly, is that the lady, who CC tried to hire for a job in Leinster House? Serious question here

Everytime i think CC's campaign has bottomed out - something else happens

Yes, he rehabilitated D.Connolly is a GAA sense. From a mangerial standpoint it was superb from Gavin. Most Dubs supporters will say so. Opposition lads tried to target D.Connolly, Lee Keegan for instance. Cynical play going over the line of the rules of the game. But Connolly outplayed him still. I don't think you are a GAA man that is for sure, lets put it that way. It is a bit like the way a woman would talk who has little knowledge of sport.

It takes tremendous fortitude for a person to come back when they are down. To call D.Connolly "An aggressive rehabilitated thug" is hyperbolic in the extreme. I can't take the comment seriously. You are obviously not familiar with the man. And to be honest are prone to hyperbolic type of statements like these, which amuse me. Part of the joy of boards.ie.

Although in fairness "aggressive rehabilitated thug" it would be a good name for a Punk band.

But it is all an irrelevance as Gavin's managerial nous, has been of no help to his candidacy as President thus far.

A convicted sex offender, who served their time.. would you think it's appropriate for them to work in a school or with young children?