Presidential Election 2025

While I’m not a Connolly supporter I’d love to be a fly on the wall of HH’s campaign office - they must feel so unmotivated at this stage given the polls and the bookies odds- do the volunteers even turn up now I wonder?
And it’s not really HH’s “fault” - no she doesn’t set the world alight as a presidential candidate, sure- but she’s the victim of a calamity and farce way outside her control. Even listening to Billy Kelleher over the last few days, he’s streaks ahead of Gavin as a communicator - who knows what skeletons or simple speed bumps (if any) would have emerged for Billy but certainly his communication style would have beat the socks off CC

That would be your opinion though as opposed to fact - many are supporting Connolly simply because she’s a “left” candidate or because they wish to give the government a “message” -nothing to do with her communication style or what she stands for per se.

The presidency is an office enshrined under the constitution - it would be good to see CC answer a few questions now about what she will bring to the role and how she’ll behave if she does win. She’s getting too much of an easy ride so far I think -

She has, it is getting drowned out in the desperation stakes.

An inanimate carbion rod would beat either of these two. I know its always about voting for the least worst option but this really is dire straits.

Irish Times report that Connolly spent €3700 of her taxpayer funded allowance on "Syria".

A not so subtle attempt to get the Syria stuff into the debate again.

That poster honed in on a very specific characteristic - her communication style, as evidence of why people are voting for her - I don’t think you can claim that as fact- whereas I pointed to a whole wave of left party support - this is fact. And naturally enough, if parties, especially those in opposition, choose a candidate, it’s a natural assumption that many of their followers will vote for that candidate

BoH, I didn't have a go at you for supporting HH, you are entitled to support her.

One person's 'dirt' is another's genuine question.
I, that's me, happen to think that removing Irish from a road-sign is against the law unless approval was sought and granted.
If Gerry Adams lived in a village, was a local councillor and then a TD/senior Minister in government and English was removed from the road-signs in his village, would he be asked about it in a Presidential campaign?
I brought it up because I think HH's is bullshitting about her commitment to the Irish language. If you think that is 'dirt' - asking genuine questions about what is important to you, nothing I can do.

And I brought that up when she was talking the talk about Irish and have left it since.

Much as I hate to say it- CC’s grasp of Irish has very likely swung a few voters in her direction - the fact that HH hasn’t bothered to learn Irish in the 11 years she first mentioned it, is quite simply baffling and demonstrates tardiness and apathy - - the one thing you’d assume is a decent grasp of the official language of the country you’re representing.

That’s lovely 😀

It kindof shows just how fickle many of us are as voters - I got lambasted here on this thread for daring to criticise CC’s lack of hairstyle and the male feminists came out of the woodwork in spades - but it simply reflects the reality of how many people vote when it comes to their president - some don’t like one’s hair, another person doesn’t like the accent - yet another doesn’t like the olde bald head - real scientific decision making there 🤪

First thought re Gaza ceasefire- “That’s good” . Second thought- “How will it affect the Connolly vote in the Presidential election?

As although Connolly has NOTHING to to with the ceasefire. Her voting base is very TIED to the conflict emotionally.

Will peace be less motivational for the Connolly vote? Or will more vote now because they feel that Connolly’s pacifist worldview makes them feel even more part of the movement in the Middle East?

Basically is peace a better motivator for the Connolly vote than death and destruction?

Any assessments I am listening to suggest peace is a good way off yet. Israel having to accept statehood for Palestine is a big stumbling block coming up.

I also don't think it will affect her vote at all, given she calls for ceasefire and dialogue in all conflicts.

I wouldn't blame him! There can be a bit of profit on milage however if you get the train usually you only get the price of a ticket back these days. I have heard of people driving for that reason.