Presidential Election 2025

There is no other source for it, someone on reddit has pointed out the David Maxwell TD said he would be using it, which if he is, negates the story https://www.northernsound.ie/news/cootehill-fine-gael-office-to-remain-open-249531

That was regarding an old story.

Not saying this is the reason but in the constitution the title President is always translated into English but Taoiseach is not.

You could always write "None of the above",thus keeping your "leftie " principles intact.

I see you're adopting a MSM approach there....'reputable'

Well it wont count as such, it will merely be spoiled. Doubt the message would even be read TBH. Until the 'Steen et al' group endorsed 'Vote Gavin Protest', that was an option i guess.

In terms of my voting preferences - I used to be Labour all the way. The Joan Burton era diminished their standing for me, but they always get a high preference none the less. Social Democrats too.

I was always very suspicious of Sinn Fein, for a long time. Never really viewed them as a party of the left. Eoin O Broin changed that entirely for me. A phenomenal politician, and one of the best the Irish Left has ever produced. Then i did start voting for them, and other lefties, hoping for a credible alternative to FFG.

The disconnect that occured with me, was with the Clare Daly adjacent Left Wing Activist class of candidate. For me the left should be about

• raising people out of poverty, and lessening the wealth divide.
• investment in communities that go undervalued
• dealing with homelessness, and the housing crisis
• returning to an ACTUAL 'Free third Level Education' system, as opposed to what we have now
• regulation of the certain industries that have been de-regulated by generations of FFG duopoly
• I could go on - transport, the health service, etc etc

Daly, Boyd Barrett et al, tended to be more about shouting at Capitalism, and western Imperialism. You could add the aforementioned 'NATO expansion' into it too. Their conduct during the opening months of the Ukraine War, tarnished them in my eyes. And i have disconnected from that branch of the Radical left now.

I went into this election hoping that i was wrong about Connolly. But as it has rolled on, my fears have been realized. And thats why i cant vote for her. The best i can hope for, is that the Left Wing alliance survives this election, and enters the next General/Locals prepared to really take on FFG. I also hope that they put a lid on the more radical activist class, lest they cause more havok.

I'd like to say I'm shocked by your endorsement of the most ring wing candidate in the election but my only shock has been it's taken you so long to announce it. Based on your posts you seem to be very much an Alan Kelly type of 'left'.

You're endorsing the representative of the party that voted to allow migrants drown in the Mediterranean, the party that emphatically endorsed Von Der Leyen, the most slavish supporter of Netanyahu in the EU including defending the attacks on hospitals, schools, universities and deliberately starving children and not to forget the homeless children in hotels tonight as a direct result of a housing policy supported by FG and HH.

I was just listening to Barry Lenihsn there before the debate, now granted he's a clown but the way he framed things around CC is so disingenuous...that's what you're rewarding too.

I sincerely hope CC wins this election and your betrayal of any pretence of being on the left is left in the ashes of HHs failure!

Debate underway now on RTE Radio 1.

If you want to debate International Relations, Politics, or left wing politics in general, im happy to do so. I challenged you repeatidly on this thread, to debate the Germany Comments, in particular, and i didnt hear back.

I'd like to say I'm shocked by your endorsement of the most ring wing candidate in the election

Its a two horse race. For the Aras, not the office of Taoiseach. I have to judge candidates as to their suitability for the role. My Choice is between an activist class left-winger, who courts nothing but controversy. Or a lady who is a non-entity, and who, frankly, has less charisma than anyone i have ever seen up for election. Its for the Aras, iv made my mind up, and stated why.

In terms of your international political views, we could debate them. But you will make no progress within the anarchical international system, by following the policies of Catherine Connolly or Clare Daly. They are divisive to international cooperation and alliance building. Which are vital for a small island nation like Ireland.

I sincerely hope CC wins this election and your betrayal of any pretence of being on the left is left in the ashes of HHs failure!

Your entitled to say it, and go ad hominem if you want. But i have stood where i am, politically, all my life. If anyones political opinions have changed, they have not been mine. The left has facilitated loud mouthed activists to ruin their ability to appeal the the electorate. Which is part of the reason we keep losing out. The game is not, who is the loudest lefty - its winning elections. And pal, you aint helpin. Your heart is in the right place, and thats admirable; but we need to WIN enough to form a government.

No offense, and by all means keep calling it a betrayal. Im not bothered, iv explained my position.

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