2011 Presidential Election

**Eminence Grise** · 11/06/2011, 12:32 PM

Originally Posted by culloty82

In other news, it seems the Greens are putting out feelers about running Mary White as a candidate. Of course, confusingly FF's Mary White also has had interest in running for the job in the past.

So let me get this straight. The Green’s White is different to the other White who is a White chocolate maker who owns Lir. Which is clear enough, unless the White Chocolate maker uses organic or Fair Trade cocoa, in which case she also becomes a Green White.

Of course, neither are really experienced politicians. Green White (the original) was a junior minister, which makes her a slightly less green Green White than the more green Green White, who was only a senator.

But then there’s Green and Blacks and...

Oh now I’m very confused.

**SkStu** · 11/06/2011, 6:15 PM

Originally Posted by bennocelt

Wow thats a great question to ask. Will all the candidates be asked this vital question?

fair point - we all know that he should really have been asked:

"Mr. Norris, is it true that you would love to have Cox in the Aras?"

**Spudulika** · 11/06/2011, 7:29 PM

Originally Posted by SkStu

fair point - we all know that he should really have been asked:

"Mr. Norris, is it true that you would love to have Cox in the Aras?"

I can hear everybody going - "ooh matron!".

Of the runners right now David Norris looks like the best option, if he can get some better media/pr people in with him. Pat Cox and Gay Mitchell won't make it, Mary White is an outsider, though if Fergus Finlay is going to be in the race, he'd be in the lead.

It all depends on "super Monday", if the 4 councils he's proposing himself too back him, then we have to look at Mr. Norris being in the lead.

**mypost** · 12/06/2011, 12:35 PM

One thing politically women can't complain about, is the lack of representation for the role of state bill-signer, having had the role since 1990, so Mairead McGuinness would be a good choice. The only thing she would have to do is to sign a few Dail/Seanad bills per month, call a general election, and appoint the government, so it's a handy job.

**Macy** · 13/06/2011, 10:18 AM

Originally Posted by culloty82

In other news, it seems the Greens are putting out feelers about running Mary White as a candidate.

Excellent - I'd love to see her take another electoral kicking. Probably won't get the chance, as loads of councillors will do the job first. Awful politician imo.

**culloty82** · 18/06/2011, 7:50 PM

Avril Doyle becomes the fourth FG candidate - bonfire of the inanities, anyone?

**culloty82** · 19/06/2011, 5:11 PM

As expected, Michael D wins Labour's nomination with 37 votes to Finlay's 17 and O'Meara's 7, at least now there's one name I'd be happy to give a preference to.

**Cuyahoga** · 19/06/2011, 8:08 PM

I always thought he ws a prat he wont be getting a vote from me. Fergus Finlay would have been a better choice in my opinion.

**Spudulika** · 20/06/2011, 11:55 AM

Never liked Michael Twee, he's a legacy candidate and won't win. If he can get his image right it means Mr. Norris has just been given a leg up. FG seem to be producing hopefuls like they do broken promises.

**Macy** · 20/06/2011, 12:58 PM

Norris isn't even a candidate, but Micheal D has given him a leg up?

I think Finlay would've been a good president, but I'd say Higgins has a good cross party appeal. Not going on anything scientific, but the older generation (more likely to vote) that I spoke too in the run up to Labour selecting, and since, who wouldn't be Labour voters at all seem to have time for Higgins. Whereas Finlay was dismissed as having never stood for office and never put himself in the direct firing line etc.

He's the first actual candidate, but he's head and shoulders above the FG nominee's and the independent FFers looking for nomination. However, him and Norris would be fighting for part of the same vote, if Norris ever makes the ballot.

**Spudulika** · 20/06/2011, 2:10 PM

Originally Posted by Macy

Norris isn't even a candidate, but Micheal D has given him a leg up?

I think Finlay would've been a good president, but I'd say Higgins has a good cross party appeal. Not going on anything scientific, but the older generation (more likely to vote) that I spoke too in the run up to Labour selecting, and since, who wouldn't be Labour voters at all seem to have time for Higgins. Whereas Finlay was dismissed as having never stood for office and never put himself in the direct firing line etc.

He's the first actual candidate, but he's head and shoulders above the FG nominee's and the independent FFers looking for nomination. However, him and Norris would be fighting for part of the same vote, if Norris ever makes the ballot.

Unless there is a serious about face Norris shoudl get a nomination. Then again, a coronation of a party hack might be just the tonic again.

**dahamsta** · 20/06/2011, 2:26 PM

Agree on Twee, he always comes across as a college lecturer that went in the wrong door. Better Twee than Cox though.

**culloty82** · 20/06/2011, 4:22 PM

Norris apparently has 13 confirmed Oireachtas votes (including all United Left TDs), so he should reach the magic 20, even if Sinn F�in decide to enter the race. Paddy Power now has Eamon O'Cuiv has fifth-favourite, though it seems pointless for Fianna F�il to run anyone just to come fourth.

**Macy** · 21/06/2011, 8:37 AM

Originally Posted by Spudulika

Unless there is a serious about face Norris shoudl get a nomination. Then again, a coronation of a party hack might be just the tonic again.

Why should he? He either can get enough councils/ members of the Oireachtas or he can't. Them's the rules, which he knew when he entered the race. I really wouldn't have Higgins as a party hack, but whoever it is still has to get bloody elected.

**BonnieShels** · 22/06/2011, 10:32 PM

Originally Posted by Macy

Norris isn't even a candidate, but Micheal D has given him a leg up?

I think Finlay would've been a good president, but I'd say Higgins has a good cross party appeal. Not going on anything scientific, but the older generation (more likely to vote) that I spoke too in the run up to Labour selecting, and since, who wouldn't be Labour voters at all seem to have time for Higgins. Whereas Finlay was dismissed as having never stood for office and never put himself in the direct firing line etc.

He's the first actual candidate, but he's head and shoulders above the FG nominee's and the independent FFers looking for nomination. However, him and Norris would be fighting for part of the same vote, if Norris ever makes the ballot.

Agreed with everything here.

**culloty82** · 23/06/2011, 7:07 AM

Independent/Millward Brown Poll:

Norris 21%
Higgins 19%
McGuinness 10%
Cox 7%
Gallagher 6%
Davis 4%
O'Dowd 3%
Doyle 3%
Mitchell 2%

It could be read as Norris running out of storm, but it's equally clear that the people want him on the ballot paper, so FG will hardly benefit if they're seen to block him. Also, seems to back my view that McGuinness is the only credible Fine Gael candidate, but that whoever comes out on top between Norris and Higgins will ultimately win.

**Macy** · 23/06/2011, 8:07 AM

Originally Posted by culloty82

It could be read as Norris running out of storm, but it's equally clear that the people want him on the ballot paper, so FG will hardly benefit if they're seen to block him. Also, seems to back my view that McGuinness is the only credible Fine Gael candidate, but that whoever comes out on top between Norris and Higgins will ultimately win.

Pretty even all around - FG have 22% between their candidates (The FFers Gallagher/ Davis/ O'Dowd at 14%). I'd agree, McGuinness looks like the only FG candidate that could win. It could be a pretty divisive campaign for the country if Mitchell gets it imo (Higgins to win in that case).

**Billsthoughts** · 23/06/2011, 12:49 PM

Would like to see Norris get it purely because of the symbolism of having a gay president. None of the rest have ever done anything overly impressive.

**culloty82** · 28/06/2011, 7:30 AM

Appears Gallagher will be on the ballot paper after winning nominations from Donegal, Longford, Roscommon and Clare County Councils. With FF councillors backing the Dragon and FG unchanged, it appears the council route is practically out for Norris, so time to rustle up the final 5-7 Oireachtas members.

**Lionel Ritchie** · 28/06/2011, 7:47 AM

Originally Posted by culloty82

Appears Gallagher will be on the ballot paper after winning nominations from Donegal, Longford, Roscommon and Clare County Councils. With FF councillors backing the Dragon and FG unchanged, it appears the council route is practically out for Norris, so time to rustle up the final 5-7 Oireachtas members.

At last ...we have a candidate I would crawl out of my deathbed to vote against.