2011 Presidential Election

**Mr A** · 07/09/2011, 10:27 PM

Originally Posted by nigel-harps1954

Can I be president? Far as I see, it doesn't matter a feck who president is as they have no shout in what happens anywhere just stand there and look pretty. I can be pretty.

You have to be over 35. So no.

You're also not that pretty.

**dahamsta** · 08/09/2011, 11:55 AM

I unsubbed from this thread last night. That's how interested I am in the election at this stage...

**Eminence Grise** · 09/09/2011, 9:44 AM

And in the latest twist in this fascinating - nay! downright gladiatorial - contest, Mary Davis and Gay Mitchell are slugging it out for the right to ... the naffest slogan since records began: "Pride at home. Respect abroad." http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/...303758921.html

FG are also lifting the ban on their councillors endorsing other candidates. Cui bono?

Now, I just want to say...

Hello? Are you still awake out there? Ach, who cares anyway...

**Mr A** · 09/09/2011, 9:59 AM

Well, that Gay Mitchell appears likely to fail to get it adds a little bit of interest for me.

**Eminence Grise** · 09/09/2011, 11:54 AM

On mature recollection, the cynic in me wonders at the timing and source of this story. The IT report reads like it came from an FG source (their accusation,followed by MD's response) and it makes me think it's being used deliberately to detract from FG's decision that its councillors can now nominate candidates. My guess is that councillors will only nominate candidates who can pull first preferences from independents and Michael D. That would be an abuse of public office, and fundamentally anti-democratic.

"FG in bid to secure nominations for no-hope candidates so Gay can triumph" might well be the real story of the day.

Edit
Heard a mention on The News at One that FG are denying any change in policy, and that councillors are still expected to support only GM. Make of that what you will.

**thebooboys** · 10/09/2011, 12:53 AM

Attended the Cork City Council nomination process earlier this week. 4 speakers, (a deranged Corkman whose name I cant remember, a Mr. MacSweeny, a Mr Mulqueen, and Mr. Sean Gallagher) The vote went as follows -

5 or 6 Labour Councillors unanimously voted against the idea of allowing a vote on potential candidates
5/7 FG Councillors voted in favour of allowing the vote proceed
All 4 SF councillors voted in favour of allowing the vote proceed
2 Independent councillors voted in favour
1 WP and 1 Socialist councillor voted against
5 FF councillors voted in favour of allowing the contest proceed.

So the City Council agreed to allow a vote permitting the nomination of one of the 4 candidates who sought the nomination of which Sean Gallagher was selected through the support of SF, FF, 2 indo's and crucially the abstention of all FG councillors on the vote

Labour/ WP/ Socialist councillors all voted against.

Essentially FG's abstention allowed Gallagher to win the nomination, and was very surprised to see SF's support even though they themselves may have a candidate in the field.
Would like to know if Labour members were instructed to obstruct or left to their own devices.
Mary Davis along with the 4 aforementioned speakers will address the Cork County Council to seek a nomination next week, next Monday I think.

**culloty82** · 11/09/2011, 12:38 PM

So it appears Norris could be about to re-enter the race, apparently FF and United Left have been canvassed and are prepared to give backing. Don't see the point at this stage, Mitchell would be the only real winner through the splitting of the left/liberal vote.

**Eminence Grise** · 11/09/2011, 2:13 PM

True enough, and it wouldn't be a surprise. But you could also end up with a scenario where DN or Michael D's transfers would put the other in ahead of GM. With 5 candidates, there's very little chance of anybody getting much more than c.30% FPs. IF SG and MD exit first, their transfers (perhaps 12-18% of the poll) become important; I can see more of those going left/liberal than to GM because of SG's FF background, and MD being seen as an independent, so assuming he had a lead of, say 10% over Michael D or DN it would be eroded to single figures with three candidates left. Whichever of them is third at that stage becomes the king maker, with something in the region of 25% of the poll transferring, say 3:1 left:right. Just surmising...

A lot of the hullabulloo around DN was that because of politicians withdrawing their support, voters were being denied their right to decide whether or not he would be a suitable candidate for the presidency. We're into the dog days of the nominations now, and IIRC McAleese was only nominated about three weeks or so before the election began; some pollster a few months ago (can't recall who, might have been Noel Whelan) predicted that a late candidate could do well. The campaign might be about to get interesting again...

**Spudulika** · 12/09/2011, 1:35 AM

Is this not all down to the media playing games? They played him up to the audience, then turned on him (a least the sensible middle, the luvvies do their own thing) and the last couple of weeks have been leaking "polls" and opinions of how he'd do well if he came back in. If his ego is big enough to step back in right now then he's less of an intellectual heavyweight than he considers himself to be. He was my number 1 until the letters to Israel came out, even then I would still have given him the benefit of the doubt (he mightn't have been told the full sceal etc) and he withdrew gracefully and intelligently. But taking FF backing, no, it defeats everything he ever spoke about. This is the chief culprit (party) behind the destruction between the greatest Viking and early Medieval site in Europe, an incident which saw DN lie in front of bulldozers (along with Mary Robinson, John Bradley and FX Martin) and they back him. Has to be an early April fools.

http://www.independent.ie/national-n...d-2873524.html

Looks like the remnants of the evil empire will remove all doubt today.

**Macy** · 12/09/2011, 11:45 AM

You know you're fecked when even FF are running scared! http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/...303946740.html

**Spudulika** · 12/09/2011, 1:14 PM

I wonder will his ego get the better of him again. I hope to god not.

**BonnieShels** · 15/09/2011, 7:23 AM

Norris is a headline in the Indo. Cripes. At this rate we will have no coverage of Gallagher and Davis. How will we ever let the people know that they are FF shills.

**Macy** · 15/09/2011, 1:26 PM

Another "Independent" enters the race. http://www.thejournal.ie/fianna-fail...27149-Sep2011/

Who's next - Bertie as an independent? They'd be less FFers if they actually did have an official candidate...

**culloty82** · 15/09/2011, 8:54 PM

The only reason I've ever heard of him is because he opposed the Civil Partnership Bill - so much for the radical new direction that Martin wants.

**BonnieShels** · 15/09/2011, 10:03 PM

Well he's not an official FF candidate so you can't blame Mickey...
...
...
...
...actually you can.

**Spudulika** · 16/09/2011, 4:26 AM

Mickey Harte is supposedly the possible SF candidate, interesting. I won't comment on Tyrone, their style of play or any rumours surrounding the team, but I'd never vote for the man - despite him being a decent skin.

I just wish DN would concentrate on the Seanaid and good causes, but I think he's completely caught up in his own celebrity right now. Thank god I won't see his appearance on that abomination of a show tonight, I hope his intelligent side prevails and he doesn't announce a return to the race.

**BonnieShels** · 16/09/2011, 8:06 AM

Spud, you know he will announce his entrance back into the race.

Also heard nothing about Mickey especially from my Tyrone posse.
Is welcome it as I've all the time in the world for the man however I just can't see him winning.

**Spudulika** · 16/09/2011, 8:44 AM

Originally Posted by BonnieShels

Spud, you know he will announce his entrance back into the race.

Also heard nothing about Mickey especially from my Tyrone posse.
Is welcome it as I've all the time in the world for the man however I just can't see him winning.

Agree on Mickey Harte, he's a good man but being linked to Sinn Fein will kill him - despite his success and standing.

I hope, above hope that DN will not do this, but I think he can't help himself. He's always enjoyed the spotlight, now he actually is believing what the meeja are saying about him. However he's going to be slaughtered again - he's the perfect idiot (in the sense of sacrificial lamb). Isn't there a 3rd revelation due about him (or did I hear that wrong way back when)? It's almost biblical at this stage, which is quite apt.

**passinginterest** · 16/09/2011, 9:32 AM

I think I have to vote for May Davis now because I got a free Mary Davis pen at the Rovers match last night. I'm pretty sure that's how it works anyway.

**Macy** · 16/09/2011, 11:06 AM

Originally Posted by passinginterest

I think I have to vote for May Davis now because I got a free Mary Davis pen at the Rovers match last night. I'm pretty sure that's how it works anyway.

She's in jail?