Mary Lou for President

[schmittel]

Much speculation that Mary Lou McDonald is considering a run for president, and if she goes for it stands a good chance of winning it. Interesting times if she were to be successful, as cannot see her being as hands off as custom supposedly requires. That said government have largely turned a blind eye to Michael D's political commentary so something of a precedent there.

If Mairead McGuiness runs, she'll take a good chunk of the FFG establishment vote but that might not be enough.

Thus far no other serious candidates have showed their hand.

My money would be on Mary Lou to win if she went for it, but not convinced that would be a good thing for the country.

[Setanta]

Youd imagine the shinners would be too clever to put one of their few good performers out to pasture in what is in effect an ceremonial role of no importance??

Still though,they've a strong chance of winning it,and I think likes of Martin Ferris would be a great pick for it

[schmittel]

Youd imagine the shinners would be too clever to put one of their few good performers out to pasture in what is in effect an ceremonial role of no importance??

Still though,they've a strong chance of winning it,and I think likes of Martin Ferris would be a great pick for it

I suspect the thinking behind Mary Lou is possibly a convenient way to make Doherty leader of SF whilst also allowing MLMCD a face saving opportunity.

[jmayo]

Youd imagine the shinners would be too clever to put one of their few good performers out to pasture in what is in effect an ceremonial role of no importance??

Still though,they've a strong chance of winning it,and I think likes of Martin Ferris would be a great pick for it

The guy that collects Garda murderers and thieves from jail.

FFS when are you going to cop on about shinners.

[Setanta]

The guy that collects Garda murderers and thieves from jail.

FFS when are you going to cop on about shinners.

What did they steal?

I'd have no much time for shinners,but likes of Martin Ferris represent all that's good about Ireland,rural,old school, uncompromising republicans,who didn't turn a blind eye when our own desperately needed help or wait for the big daddy government to come to the rescue.....it's likes of him,we need representing our country,and would be a toe in,of selected....in a choice between some NGO approved stooge,or Ferris,who should be elected?

[NewBroom]

It'd be a big risk for Mary Lou, lots of questions will be brought up. Reading Shane Ross's book, many more questions than answers about Mary Lou. I guess if the party strategists want her to run, then she'll run. She's a formidable debater, tough and personable, the right age and so on. But not a shoe in I'd think and therein lies the risk.

Catherine Connolly? Meh. Mairead McGuiness? Been off in Europe and invisible mostly on the local scene here, might be considered a safe vote but hardly catching the imagination like Mary Lou.

Be odd if we end up with a ballot paper of females and an opportunity for a single male candidate you'd think.

I hope we end up with a real choice, someone who is on the outside of the political establishment and willing to call a spade a spade.

[schmittel]

It'd be a big risk for Mary Lou, lots of questions will be brought up. Reading Shane Ross's book, many more questions than answers about Mary Lou. I guess if the party strategists want her to run, then she'll run. She's a formidable debater, tough and personable, the right age and so on. But not a shoe in I'd think and therein lies the risk.

Catherine Connolly? Meh. Mairead McGuiness? Been off in Europe and invisible mostly on the local scene here, might be considered a safe vote but hardly catching the imagination like Mary Lou.

Be odd if we end up with a ballot paper of females and an opportunity for a single male candidate you'd think.

I hope we end up with a real choice, someone who is on the outside of the political establishment and willing to call a spade a spade.

If we end up with an outsider media will have a headache about which danger we're in most urgent need of defence from - Shinners or far right lunatics! Will be very entertaining.

[jmayo]

What did they steal?

I'd have no much time for shinners,but likes of Martin Ferris represent all that's good about Ireland,rural,old school, uncompromising republicans,who didn't turn a blind eye when our own desperately needed help or wait for the big daddy government to come to the rescue.....it's likes of him,we need representing our country,and would be a toe in,of selected....in a choice between some NGO approved stooge,or Ferris,who should be elected?

Ohh my mistake they didn't manage to steal the £80,000 contents of the An Post delivery van.
They just managed to riddle a car full of bullets from an assault rifle.
How brave of them.

BTW some people often say the mark of man is the company he keeps.

Ferris was more than happy to greet the likes of Pearse McAuley from the gates of Castlerea prison no doubt claiming he was a patriot.
Did he go to greet when he was released yet again from prison, this time for stabbing his partner 13 times in front of their kids?
Scum.

Ferris might not be an NGO stooge but he is a shyte.

[Setanta]

Ohh my mistake they didn't manage to steal the £80,000 contents of the An Post delivery van.
They just managed to riddle a car full of bullets from an assault rifle.
How brave of them.

BTW some people often say the mark of man is the company he keeps.

Ferris was more than happy to greet the likes of Pearse McAuley from the gates of Castlerea prison no doubt claiming he was a patriot.
Did he go to greet when he was released yet again from prison, this time for stabbing his partner 13 times in front of their kids?
Scum.

Ferris might not be an NGO stooge but he is a shyte.

Still,I'd prefer Ferris to some NGO and pc brigade approved stooge.....I feel,among those opposed to the direction of the country,he would be a shoe in, it's like of him are needed in politics and representing the country is needed.....at least he'll tell it like it is and unsettle the establishment,perhaps even bring to focus how corrupt the state is,how it come to be,he was picking up someone from jail,who should been released years previously under the gfa........only the establishment pissed all over it,but we're happy to hide behind it for Brexit negotiations,the utter hypocrisy and comfortableness that's allowed exist about this,should be challenged....the market place of ideas is far from settled on this subject IMHO

[Truthslayer]

The idea that Semtex Ferris would get his own party nomination, never mind the support of the electorate is one of the stupidest political predictions I’ve ever seen.

[Setanta]

The idea that Semtex Ferris would get his own party nomination, never mind the support of the electorate is one of the stupidest political predictions I’ve ever seen.

Bloke would be a shoe in, IMHO


I've seen nothing to suggest otherwise,he's probably too old,which is a pity really,one of the GOAT kerry-men

[NewBroom]

Mairead McGuinness seems to be the only possible FG candidate. Personally I find her insipid and with no real connection to politics on the ground here. Her media profile is ancient history at this stage.

Will Labour back their nemesis in Connolly, or just abstain on it and advise their fans to vote for who they want to? I'd go with the latter.

No real substance in either of the above. Let's hope some bigger names like Michéal Martin and Mary Lou throw their hats in and let the entertainment begin.

And be great to have a Casey type figure in the mix.

[schmittel]

Mairead McGuinness officially nominated by FG as she was the only candidate who put her name forward.

I wonder if Mary Lou does run would that tempt a big hitter from FF like Michéal Martin, I suspect it might.

[jmayo]

Bloke would be a shoe in, IMHO


I've seen nothing to suggest otherwise,he's probably too old,which is a pity really,one of the GOAT kerry-men

FFS one of the GOAT Kerry men.
You must know fook all about Kerry men then if you think that.

Are you related by any chance.

Bloke might be a shoe in in your head, but not anyone elses.

It is fooking sad that we could end up with election between a smarmy ex RTE presenter who sucked at the Brussels teat for too long, a woke idiot who took an electable sinn fein for government and made them unelectable despite an open goal right in front of them or an old shinner content on backing murdering scumbags and a leftie who will probably have a Palestine flag flying over the Aras when she welcomes the champagne socialist triumvirate (Boyd Barrett, Daly and Wallace) over for dinner, all the while finding another side gig for her sister to sponge expenses.

Any word on Casey and if he can get nomination.
I presume an honest decent guy like Nick Delahunty who highlights our massive wastage of public funds has shag all chance of getting any political backing.

[Berties_Horse]

FFS one of the GOAT Kerry men.
You must know fook all about Kerry men then if you think that.

Are you related by any chance.

Bloke might be a shoe in in your head, but not anyone elses.

It is fooking sad that we could end up with election between a smarmy ex RTE presenter who sucked at the Brussels teat for too long, a woke idiot who took an electable sinn fein for government and made them unelectable despite an open goal right in front of them or an old shinner content on backing murdering scumbags and a leftie who will probably have a Palestine flag flying over the Aras when she welcomes the champagne socialist triumvirate (Boyd Barrett, Daly and Wallace) over for dinner, all the while finding another side gig for her sister to sponge expenses.

Any word on Casey and if he can get nomination.
I presume an honest decent guy like Nick Delahunty who highlights our massive wastage of public funds has shag all chance of getting any political backing.

A damning state of affairs, calibre of candidate non-existent unless there is a political machine in place. McGuinness perfectly Insufferable, however must be regarded as a front runner. Casey would represent some entertainment value, he rattled the establishment on a single issue platform in 2018.

[PogMoThoin22]

I'm voting Catherine Conolly, last thing we need is a FG candidate

[NewBroom]

I'm voting Catherine Conolly, last thing we need is a FG candidate

Connolly can póg mo thóin before she gets my vote! But I'm open to persuasion.
McGuinness - nah!

We either need a big political beast or else someone right outside the establishment. And I wouldn't include the Mother Teresa lad in that.

Now Keano could be the man, straight talker and likes the madras, just like the sitting chap who is being ejected seven years after his due date. A continuity doggie man.

[marhay70]

There is absolutely nobody of stature who has thrown their hat in the ring so far. To me, the President should be broadly representative of all the views of all the people of the island, which would rule out any of the Sinners. I don't see anyone with the ranks of FF, certainly not Martin or Ahern, whose records in Public Office leave a lot to be desired. FG, particularly since the elevation of the stick insect Harris to the leadership, are collectively devoid of any personality or credibility. Really, like politics in general in this country, the choice is Hobson's.
I liked the direction in which Mary Robinson took the Presidency although she was a bit too woke for me to stomach in general, Mary McAleese, too was one who was prepared to rock the establishment boat, and Mickey D has always been that bit too unpredictable for the establishment's liking. I know the President's powers are limited but we need someone in that office who will win the hearts and minds of the people, not just another political lapdog.

[Setanta]

There is absolutely nobody of stature who has thrown their hat in the ring so far. To me, the President should be broadly representative of all the views of all the people of the island, which would rule out any of the Sinners. I don't see anyone with the ranks of FF, certainly not Martin or Ahern, whose records in Public Office leave a lot to be desired. FG, particularly since the elevation of the stick insect Harris to the leadership, are collectively devoid of any personality or credibility. Really, like politics in general in this country, the choice is Hobson's.
I liked the direction in which Mary Robinson took the Presidency although she was a bit too woke for me to stomach in general, Mary McAleese, too was one who was prepared to rock the establishment boat, and Mickey D has always been that bit too unpredictable for the establishment's liking. I know the President's powers are limited but we need someone in that office who will win the hearts and minds of the people, not just another political lapdog.

Strong rumblings Dermot ahearn is to throw his name into the ring....which I think he's too old aswell though....we don't want to end up like the yanks and geriatrics doing it

[Setanta]

https://www.breakingnews.ie/ireland/mic ... 84871.html


Micheal flatly has put his name forward.....he's probably right in saying we don't need a politician for it

[NewBroom]

Flatley wouldn't be the worst by any means, presume he has Irish citizenship. Plenty of energy for the job, unlike the retiring incumbent. Great for the diaspora and the ol' image abroad. Good flute player. Used to living in grand houses. Not a 'poet' as far as I know. A man of de people, sort of. I'd see a good few votes going his way if he runs/ is allowed run.

[marhay70]

Flatley wouldn't be the worst by any means, presume he has Irish citizenship. Plenty of energy for the job, unlike the retiring incumbent. Great for the diaspora and the ol' image abroad. Good flute player. Used to living in grand houses. Not a 'poet' as far as I know. A man of de people, sort of. I'd see a good few votes going his way if he runs/ is allowed run.

Wouldn't be my cup of tea. The First Citizen of the Republic should have some degree of gravitas. It's enough that our American cousins choose to elect showmen and buffoons without us following suit. You have to remember that the President will represent the Irish people on the great stages of the world. Flatley, and to be fair, a few other suggested candidates, wouldn't pass muster in my book.

[Setanta]

Used to living in grand houses.

That's his biggest problem, he'd b swopping one big house for another....we need an ordinary man to run,I wouldn't vote for him in a fit,but I'd love to see McGregor get onto the card aswell

Give as wide a selection as reasonably possible,so everyone will have someone to identify with

[knownunknown]

Flatley wouldn't be the worst by any means, presume he has Irish citizenship. Plenty of energy for the job, unlike the retiring incumbent. Great for the diaspora and the ol' image abroad. Good flute player. Used to living in grand houses. Not a 'poet' as far as I know. A man of de people, sort of. I'd see a good few votes going his way if he runs/ is allowed run.

I don’t know anything about him apart from the energy part, surely he couldn’t be worse than other candidates though. At least he’d be known and other country’s delegates would be excited to meet him.

[Truthslayer]

Dr. Tony Holohan is considering a run. The voice and conscience of Ireland during one of the most difficult periods in our history. A man of enormous empathy and compassion. If he does get enough nominations then I’ll struggle to decide between him and McGuinness. Two exceptional candidatesz